Comments on: Time to Start Finalizing Finishes – To Do List http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/ The former home of the 100k Blog Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:21:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: chad http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1670 chad Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:36:24 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1670 SA - Thanks. We are looking into EcoTop for countertops and may even use something similar to EcoClad for the counters in 100K. The cladding is too expensive for the exterior though. Hardi is the ONLY option for this budget... SA – Thanks. We are looking into EcoTop for countertops and may even use something similar to EcoClad for the counters in 100K. The cladding is too expensive for the exterior though. Hardi is the ONLY option for this budget…

]]> By: Seattle Architect http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1669 Seattle Architect Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:28:27 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1669 You guys should look at using EcoTop and EcoClad on this project. They are great new products from the guys that created the paperstone product lines with some great new inprovements. You guys should look at using EcoTop and EcoClad on this project. They are great new products from the guys that created the paperstone product lines with some great new inprovements.

]]> By: jake http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1668 jake Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:26:49 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1668 Don't stress about HDTV- it doesn't require a fat pipe- and the signal doesn't travel via network cable (CAT 5 or 7). HDTV signal comes in four forms- over the air for network-tv locally, cable tv, sattelite tv, or Fios. In all except over-the-air- a receiver handles a signal input through standard coax (even fios has a converter "at the curb" so that it's fed the last few feet through your house through standard coax). If the cable/sat boxes are by the TV then coax goes into the box and hdmi or component video connects to your HDTV. In most of our jobs that have a server closet where all the cable boxes are mounted remotely- it's easiest to run component video (RGB video) for the high def signal. HDMI is problematic in long lengths and field cuts. Basically it boils down for most people that if you have standard coax to where you want TV- you're covered. Don’t stress about HDTV- it doesn’t require a fat pipe- and the signal doesn’t travel via network cable (CAT 5 or 7).
HDTV signal comes in four forms- over the air for network-tv locally, cable tv, sattelite tv, or Fios. In all except over-the-air- a receiver handles a signal input through standard coax (even fios has a converter “at the curb” so that it’s fed the last few feet through your house through standard coax). If the cable/sat boxes are by the TV then coax goes into the box and hdmi or component video connects to your HDTV.
In most of our jobs that have a server closet where all the cable boxes are mounted remotely- it’s easiest to run component video (RGB video) for the high def signal. HDMI is problematic in long lengths and field cuts.
Basically it boils down for most people that if you have standard coax to where you want TV- you’re covered.

]]> By: chad http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1667 chad Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:09:33 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1667 Good point. I think we would only try to tackle whole house audio and not bother with video. If we did video, there would only be one location chosen to place your TV and it would have to be close to the receiver in the system. I'm not sure that we will even have a TV in our own house... Good point. I think we would only try to tackle whole house audio and not bother with video. If we did video, there would only be one location chosen to place your TV and it would have to be close to the receiver in the system. I’m not sure that we will even have a TV in our own house…

]]> By: Kevin D http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1665 Kevin D Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:53:11 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1665 I know almost nothing about home A/V systems, but I've heard that if you needed HDTV video feeds to several rooms, the only cable that can handle those huge data rates & bandwidth is fiber optic. I can't even figure out if CAT 7 has it, but fiber optic will come to big city neighborhoods soon. I'm guessing that a digital HDTV satellite feed would need better than CAT5 cable as well. Good for you for trying to add $ value for pennies. I know almost nothing about home A/V systems, but I’ve heard that if you needed HDTV video feeds to several rooms, the only cable that can handle those huge data rates & bandwidth is fiber optic.
I can’t even figure out if CAT 7 has it, but fiber optic will come to big city neighborhoods soon.

I’m guessing that a digital HDTV satellite feed would need better than CAT5 cable as well.

Good for you for trying to add $ value for pennies.

]]> By: chad http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1659 chad Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:43:48 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1659 Jake - Thanks for the heads up. I'll dig into the code when I have time. I do remember the electrician saying that this was a new requirement in the past year or so. Robert / Brandon - Good points on the audio. I am looking into wireless as well. A big part of the whole house system that I will be posting on though, is the ability to have speakers in multiple rooms and outside. These will be powered and be able to access music wirelessly and possibly via a central receiver. If we are installing CAT5 cable everywhere, then doing a wired whole house audio system at the same time would be very easy as these systems use CAT5 more than speaker wire. The wire is cheap and having the electrician run it while he is running everything else should also be cheap. I feel that whole house audio, like radiant, is a premium feature that can be very affordable if done correctly. It would add a lot of value to the home in my opinion. This is late in the game though and it may need to wait for the next project... I'll try to finish my research and post in more detail on the subject before I exhaust everyone's good comments on the subject here. Jake – Thanks for the heads up. I’ll dig into the code when I have time. I do remember the electrician saying that this was a new requirement in the past year or so.

Robert / Brandon – Good points on the audio. I am looking into wireless as well. A big part of the whole house system that I will be posting on though, is the ability to have speakers in multiple rooms and outside. These will be powered and be able to access music wirelessly and possibly via a central receiver. If we are installing CAT5 cable everywhere, then doing a wired whole house audio system at the same time would be very easy as these systems use CAT5 more than speaker wire. The wire is cheap and having the electrician run it while he is running everything else should also be cheap.

I feel that whole house audio, like radiant, is a premium feature that can be very affordable if done correctly. It would add a lot of value to the home in my opinion. This is late in the game though and it may need to wait for the next project… I’ll try to finish my research and post in more detail on the subject before I exhaust everyone’s good comments on the subject here.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1657 Brandon Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:21:19 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1657 You said above you were interested in doing black cabinets. The <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40118069" rel="nofollow">Ikea Nexus doors</a> come in a very nice looking black/brown finish and are very affordable. Check'm out. You said above you were interested in doing black cabinets. The Ikea Nexus doors come in a very nice looking black/brown finish and are very affordable. Check’m out.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1656 Brandon Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:35:13 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1656 I agree with Kevin that you should drop the whole house audio wiring. I don't think the solution is wireless as most wireless speakers (even high end ones) pale in comparison to wired ones...but I do believe it's an unnecessary expense. You should however wire the house with CAT5 cable which would make it easy for someone to access the internet or install a VOIP phone in any room. I know a wireless router solves the internet issue, not sure if VOIP phones work with wireless internet yet or not. Not sure if you had this planned already or not as it wasn't on the list. I agree with Kevin that you should drop the whole house audio wiring. I don’t think the solution is wireless as most wireless speakers (even high end ones) pale in comparison to wired ones…but I do believe it’s an unnecessary expense.

You should however wire the house with CAT5 cable which would make it easy for someone to access the internet or install a VOIP phone in any room. I know a wireless router solves the internet issue, not sure if VOIP phones work with wireless internet yet or not. Not sure if you had this planned already or not as it wasn’t on the list.

]]> By: Robert http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1655 Robert Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:34:47 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1655 As Kevin D said above, I wouldn't hard-wire any audio. I would go for wireless streaming. An Apple Airport Express (about 100 bucks) with a set of speakers (your choice of how much you want to spend on these) and you are ready to get music from your iTunes library. As a bonus, you could use an iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control (not sure if this trick works with iTunes for Windows though). As Kevin D said above, I wouldn’t hard-wire any audio.

I would go for wireless streaming. An Apple Airport Express (about 100 bucks) with a set of speakers (your choice of how much you want to spend on these) and you are ready to get music from your iTunes library. As a bonus, you could use an iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control (not sure if this trick works with iTunes for Windows though).

]]> By: Kevin D http://www.100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/comment-page-1/#comment-1653 Kevin D Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:40:32 +0000 http://100khouse.com/2008/10/15/time-to-start-finalizing-finishes-to-do-list/#comment-1653 Drop the whole house audio. The solution will be wireless, so don't install anything "obsoleteable". Think of all the homes built in the 90's with this big recess in the family room wall near the fireplace. D'oh What's the rain screen? You mean siding? Drop the whole house audio. The solution will be wireless, so don’t install anything “obsoleteable”. Think of all the homes built in the 90′s with this big recess in the family room wall near the fireplace. D’oh

What’s the rain screen? You mean siding?

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