Add Special Effects to Your Setup

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Add Special Effects to Your Setup

Home Theatre

Creating the perfect atmosphere for watching sporting events, cartoons or the latest thriller requires more than just a comfy couch and popcorn – you need the right lighting. Not only are dimmers a must for any TV area, why not also consider adding low-ambient floor lighting? This is a great technique for lighting the way to the nearest bathroom when the home theatre is in use. It also gives younger kids enough illumination to play while you watch the newest “must see” program.

Looking for the latest television and sound system on the market? Ask your Licensed Electrical Contractor if you need extra circuits or to increase power requirements. From a design perspective, a home theatre that has immersive sound but no wires in sight is ideal. According to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, electrical cables have to be kept at least 2.5 centimetres away from duct work and heating pipes to be safe. Make sure everything is installed correctly by talking with your Licensed Electrical Contractor to determine how to hide the wires, before closing up the walls. Early planning saves time and money.

Find a contractor in your area at findacontractor.esasafe.com

For the ultimate relaxed ambience consider adding a gas fireplace surrounded by built-ins for extra storage and illuminate your favourite objects if you have display shelving. When planning your home theatre space, keep in mind that there are specific electrical considerations for installing a gas fireplace. You’ll need an outlet installed in the right spot for power controls, like the ignition transformer, thermostat and/or fan. If room permits you can hide the TV within the built-ins. This allows you to use the space more comfortably for entertaining when TV is not the focus.

If entertaining is a key feature of your basement, then consider adding a wet bar. Find a niche for a small bar fridge to keep beer and wine chilled. Add a dishwasher for bar and stemware. Any outlets installed within 1.5 metres of a sink need to be Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent shocks. Keep this in mind if you’re considering a coffee bar as well.

Install Some Movie Magic

Who doesn’t want the latest tech gadgets to upgrade your home theatre? From surround sound speakers to the right lighting to the perfect picture, these little extras make a big impact on your home viewing experience.

Tech expert Marc Saltzman shares his tips to bring the cinema feeling home.

It’s more than a screen.

Finding the right television will not only improve your viewing but provide you the ability to do more from streaming your favourite show to surfing the web. A 4K Smart TV offers the highest resolution to really make the picture pop.

Get smart with lighting.

While the right lighting will enhance your theatre experience, using smart plugs allows you to control them without lifting a finger. Just imagine having the lights dim as the movie starts and come back on once your flick is over – it’s like you’re at the movies.

Make the home theatre cozy.

At your home theatre, the temperature is guaranteed to be right for you—unlike a frigid movie theatre. A wi-fi thermostat learns the temperature you like and your schedule, so you’ll always be comfortable, no matter the weather.

Homeowner