Increasingly some homes in the Comox Valley have home theatres as a feature. The room does not need to be elaborate to be effective. Home theatre rooms can be purpose built by homeowners or merely form part of the layout of an existing room. They can range from a few hundred dollars to over a hundred thousand dollars.
The Comox Valley has a number of suppliers of home theatre equipment and some businesses will build the room for you. Or, if you are like many enthusiasts, you may wish to build the room yourself. A few things to consider are: soundproofing, layout, sightlines, and acoustics.
Soundproofing of a purpose built home theatre room is important if the room is anywhere but the basement and you are thinking of cranking up the sound to enjoy the experience. Soundproofing barriers can be purchased as well as drywall that has soundproofing qualities. Extra insulation might also help. Think about where the room will be and how much volume you intend to use and then determine how you will contain the sound sufficiently so you do not disturb your neighbours.
The layout of the room is also important. As part of the layout, where will the equipment and speakers be located? Where will the chairs go? Will you have a tv screen or projection screen? How many speakers? Spend a bit of time designing the layout before you proceed.
Sightlines are also important. Ensure that everyone has an unobstructed view of the screen. If there are rows of chairs in the back, consider the use of a platform to elevate them. The experience will be more enjoyable if everyone can see the screen comfortably.
Acoustics are, of course, also important. Some people install acoustic panels. Others use the features found in many newer audio visual receivers to adjust acoustic settings. This is another consideration where time spent before hand is well invested.
What about the value that this feature adds to Comox homes resale value? According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, the payback on this type of investment is only is in the 25-50% range. Not everyone wants a home theatre in their home, but those who do generally really enjoy them. Think of this as an investment in your quality of life and not just as an investment in your home. What is life all about if it cannot be enjoyed. Perhaps a home theatre is something you can add to your “want” list? Contact Brett Cairns of RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty when you want to sell your Comox Valley home.