Framing in the AV Rack Wall

admin — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:51:52 +0000

Where there was just an open space into a storage area will be a custom framed Middle Atlantic rack. I ordered the sliding rack system, 20u, with RSH Custom Faceplates for a clean look.

middle atlantic rack framing

The doorway into the storage area will be to the right of the rack. A PC and networking gear will be in the lower section of the rack. Even though I’ll have walk in access to the back of the equiptment rack, it will be tight with all the crap stored in this basement. I bought the Middle Atlantic SRS4 20 which is a 4 rail 19″ rack with a weight capacity of 250 pounds. It slides out 19″ which will give me plenty of room for AV work.

Middle Atlantic Rack Framing - Side

Middle Atlantic Rack Framing Close Up

I’m using 2×10 pine leftover from some other work for the base. The inside will be painted flat black and the openings will be trimmed out in a dark reddish stained poplar.

Middle Atlantic SRS4 in Framing

Here it is with the bare SRS4 in place. I’m waited to do the top frame peice until after it was placed in there to be sure everything was tight.

Middle Atlantic SRS4 in framing

The Room Layout and Framing Begins

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:13:36 +0000

After the removal of the old oil tank, the staircase, and widening an opening into the bathroom/storage space area, teh room is taking shape. The rough layout of this half of the basement looks something like this:

The area is roughly 20′ x 30′. The closet/bathroom area in the lower left is an exisiting closet (door into main room) and full bath (door facing storage area).

The area between the left brick column and the corner of the closet was widened from a 30″ doorway to about a 7′ walkway. The storage area will be closed off and a Middle Atlantic slide out rack is being installed there, immediately to the left of the brick column, along with a door to the left of it.

View toward screen wall with 11" build-out underway

Between the left column and the stairs will be a cutout for kids alcove and/or toy storage under the steps along with some built-in shelving. On the right of the floorplan picture, or straight forward in the above picture is the “screen wall” which is being built out about 11″ for a section. This will allow the plasma screen to be recessed into the wall along with the Speakercraft Cinema in-wall speakers.

Closer view of framing for the panasonic 58 inch.

On the long wall at the bottom of the basement floorplan picture I found a nice brick two-column support for the large soapstone fireplace that sits above it. This was a suprise since the old drywall just enclosed it as one section. I will install wooden shelving between the columns to make a nice built in section. The brick in this section will remain exposed.

AS you can see the old popcorn ceiling is torn down and the recessed lights are already installed. I used 14 4″ air tight/IC cans with 50w halogens.

Corner near the bottom of the new staircase

Here is the view from the screen side back toward the storage area were the Middle Atlantic equiptment rack will reside.

View toward back corner

I know, the room is a mess. The kids are still playing down there. Once the drywall starts that will all end. You can’t imagine how many times I’ve stepped on and tripped over toys.

My Basement Renovation » Basement Framing

Framing in the AV Rack Wall

The Room Layout and Framing Begins