Saturday, May 29, 2010

Discussions with the Silverline Electric

Stephen and I met with Brad Tapani (Silverline Electric), who'll be doing the electrical work on the new house. We discussed wireless and wired, i.e., ethernet, data communications, and decided to stick with the plan of wiring most rooms in the house for ethernet. We'll employ a wireless network, as well.

With regard to audio, Brad's recommendation was that we go with a 5.1 surround sound system in the Great Room on the main floor, and the same in the Rec Room on the lower level, and we agreed. Brad said that he uses RG6/U quad shielded coax, as we described in the previous post.

We discussed putting the central wiring panel (CWP) or media panel in the Storage Room on the lower level. Brad said we should look for as centralized and accessible a location as possible for the CWP in order to reduce the length of wire runs to the various media locations, which is reasonable, as long as the CWP isn't obtrusive.

Brad gave us a run down on using CAT-5e vs. CAT-6e wire and we opted to stay with 6e.

The spec sheet addendum contained an item for pre-wiring a security system and we opted not to do that.

We are not going to prewire the entire house for stero, but will put dual speakers (with volume control) on the deck.

Silverline is also doing the plumbing for the central vac system, and we discussed the product line they're using, MD Manufacturing, which sounded fine. We opted to go with the "hide-a-hose' system on the main level.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Structured Home Wiring

The home wiring system will use a structured wiring concept, providing a central location for all data communications cable runs (“Home Run” configuration). A central wiring panel (CWP) or hub shall be placed in the lower level storage room (dimensions of the CWP will probably be about 28"H x 14"W x 3"D). Cables (CAT-6e) will be run individually from CWP to required locations (no splices are to be used). Ethernet will be available in all rooms except the bathrooms, the mud room, and the utility room.
In addition to wired data communications, the home will be configured for wireless data comm, and will include multiple wireless access points (WAPs), as required.
Wall outlet plates in rooms will accommodate multiple data communications types, and be identified by room location at the CWP.
Cable will be identified as to function (D-data, T-telephone, V-video) and serviced location (great room – GR, kitchen – K, master bedroom – MBR, etc.). Bundles will be tied for ease of handling. Note: No staples will be used to secure cabling. The wires will be run in bundles containing all the types of wiring. Telephone lines shall NOT be run through the two unused pair of wires in the cable used for Ethernet data.

In-ceiling/wall speakers will be installed in the great room for 7.1 surround sound.

A pair of dual channel speakers with volume control will be installed on the deck.
Wiring (RG6/U quad shielded coax) will support high definition (HD) TV in all rooms where TV is located (RG59 can be used for short run, < 20’ wall outlet to the TV, DVR, and DVD).
Internet connection will be via a high speed cable modem. The ISP will be Charter and they will provide bundled Internet, cable TV, and telephone service.
Data distribution will be via a Linksys Wireless G broadband router.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Interior Lighting

We'll have a variety of lighting fixtures; a couple of kinds of overhead fixtures (first 2 photos), can lights (3rd photo with can light in niche), sconces (4th photo), and theater lights for the stairs (5th photo). There will also be rail lights over bathroom mirrors, and a ceiling fan with light over the great room.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Exterior Design

Exterior design, in addition to the general form of the house, includes material (we're going with stucco); paint color for the body, the trim, and the window type and frame (our choices are white, almond, or expresso); the roof type and color; decking; lighting; the front door and garage doors; and concrete/stone work (for walkways and the porch).
I've been driving around looking at houses that I think might be good examples for various features we'd like. I've included some photos here and in a previous post .

This home has a good body, trim, and roof color combination