Can you create theme or specialty theaters?
J.S. Heartwood Inc. designed a theater as part of a “ Main Street” theme in 2001 which included a “Toy Store” (child’s play area), “Frank’s Gym” (work out room) and faux building fronts depicting a flower shop & sheriffs office. Several old fashion movie theaters with box offices, marquees and concession stands have been completed. In December of 2005, we designed and built a theater for a local professional sports figure complete with stage and built in karaoke system. We designed and provided construction consultations for an attic “Ravens” theme theater, complete with lighted memorabilia display, in late 2006.

Where in the home should my theater be located?
A theater can be designed for any available space however there are preferred locations.

A windowless room is the best choice. Unwanted light from windows is an obvious issue. Visual & acoustical reflections from glass create additional concerns. If necessary, windows certainly can be treated with draperies or shades. In some past situations we have removed or permanently covered up windows. Most dedicated theaters that we construct are in the basement with the attic as a popular alternative location.

My basement is totally unfinished. Where do we start?
An unfinished basement is a situation that we love. It allows the theater to be designed to the perfect size and to be placed in the perfect location.

There are many factors when locating the theater in a basement. Some customers prefer their theater to be the focal point of the entire lower level. Others want it to be almost hidden and out of the way. How is adjacent space to the sides and above to be used? Should mom’s home office be right next door? Should the washer & dryer be right above the projector location? What about natural existing acoustical isolation factors? These are just a few of the concerns that should be addressed.

There are also many factors that go into the design & construction of a basement theater. Drainpipes, water pipes, valves, ductwork, HVAC lines, support columns, support beams, sump pump, radon vent systems, gas lines, phone lines, etc. all need to be thought about. Proper access to water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, main electrical panels, well tanks, oil tanks, clean-outs, etc. all need to be considered. Should the theater air duct system be on the same zone as the kitchen or the master bedroom suite? What would make the most sense? We can help you make the right choices.

Quite often we design the entire lower level of a home with the theater as an integral part of the overall picture. A sports fan may want an open theater plan with the screen visible from the bar and pool table areas. A movie buff may want a separate movie theater complete with a lobby and concession stand.

What else can I do with my home theater area?
We can help you create the ultimate entertainment room along with your home theater. We have designed home theaters with karaoke stages and lyric monitors built in. That's just the beginning! Contact us for more information.

What about the electronics?
We have several independent AV contractors that we work with locally. Usually our out of town design clients already have equipment or have hired an audio video contractor local to their area. Jeremy Brooks has an extensive background as a sound engineer and also worked as an Audio Video system designer/technician. His services are available to provide equipment recommendations and acoustical solutions.

What is a design agreement?
A design agreement is a contract between the customer & J.S. Heartwood, Inc. where the customer agrees to a predetermined cost for a 3D CAD design of their proposed project.

Why do we need a “3D” design?
More than any other part of your home, a quality “Home Cinema” is a three dimensional space. It is a complicated mix of state of the art electronics, acoustics, mechanics and aesthetics. Platform height, depth & width must be designed for your specific seating placed in your specific space. Correct seating elevations matched to the right screen and speaker heights is critical to the over all performance.

Sight lines, acoustical applications, traffic flow, ambient light and adequate ventilation are just a few of the factors often overlooked by others. Electrical/lighting requirements and specifications are a separate subject that should be addressed to achieve the ultimate home cinema experience.

A few hundred dollars to build an accurate computer model is money well spent, when compared to the lasting effects of a poorly thought out theater.

How is the cost determined?
The cost is an estimate based on the length of time spent on a similar previous design project.

How does the design process work?
First fill out our theater information form and attach all possible views of proposed theater area. (taken with a digital camera) We will need blueprints or an accurate drawing of proposed area. Information will be reviewed in the order in which it was received. We will contact you with a design proposal shortly after we receive your information. The design proposal will include a predetermined amount of telephone consultation time with the home owner, contractor or construction supervisor.

What exactly do I get in my plan?
That much depends on the design option that you choose. On the simple side, it might be a well thought out 3 dimensional riser platform design that fits your particular seating to your particular room. There are several design options all the way up to the ultimate custom theatre area design. This design option is for the homeowner who wants a custom home theater that is an integral part of an entire area plan. See our pricing plans for details.

 How long before I receive my completed design?
A typical complete theater design takes about three to four weeks from time of project acceptance by us. A simple plan could take less time and of course a very detailed large plan will take longer. Please contact us for lead times.

What are your clients saying about J.S. Heartwood Inc.?
Each of our clients have been thrilled and delighted with the work that we have provided them. Click here to see our testimonials page.

What are the different types of theater seating?
Standard furniture can certainly be used in a theater setting however a true dedicated theater, almost always uses one of two distinctive types of theater seating.

The type familiar to most is the large recliner style. Theses seats can usually be purchased as single, love seat or sofa type units. They can be arranged in any combination of the above choices. Some styles are available with wedge shaped arms for curved applications. This type of seat has it’s origins in the furniture industry. They have been “theaterized” by adding cup holders and sometimes motorized recline mechanisms. Many fabric color/trim choices are available.

The other seating type that we carry came from the commercial theater industry. They have heavy gauge steel frames and have been accessorized for home theater use. These type seats are assembled in place and bolted to floor. Dual motors for ottoman and back recline are available.

Four commercial type seats generally equal the same overall width as three of the larger recliners.

Proper seating size and placement are critical to home theater success!

How important are acoustical applications?
It is very important to address room acoustics when designing a quality home theater. It makes no sense to buy high quality audio equipment and give no consideration to the acoustical aspects of the space.

What concerns do proper acoustical treatments address?
There are two main considerations when talking about acoustical treatments.

First the customer needs to determine the importance of isolating theater sound from the rest of the house. Will someone be sleeping nearby when others want to watch an action adventure film? Do the kids want to watch music videos while grandma entertains friends? From the very beginning of construction various levels of acoustical isolation can be built into your project. A few simple, reasonably priced techniques can make a big difference. For those with a larger budget, complete isolation (sound proofing) can be attained.

The second acoustical consideration is the sound quality of the completed space. Expensive audio equipment in an untreated drywall box can sound terrible. Low frequency tones can rattle the structure and unwanted reflections will ruin the desired effect. Properly placed absorption and diffusion materials can greatly affect the overall quality of sound. Acoustical treatments taken to the extreme can adversely affect the aesthetics of a given space. We work with you to find the perfect balance between what the finished room sounds like and looks like.

Failure to at least minimally address these issues can result in disaster.

Are acoustical treatments expensive?
Acoustical treatments can be expensive depending on level to be attained. A sound proof room requires specialized materials and installation practices. Specialized doors and ductwork isolators may also be specified.

What are some options when it comes to determining sound quality of my theater?
For new construction we incorporate mainly absorption and sometimes diffusion into the wall structure. We use an exclusive system that we have developed ourselves over the past twelve years. Most completed projects shown on this website use this system. The outer layer is acoustically transparent pleated fabric that is widely used in the commercial theater industry. The walls actually absorb sound eliminating most unwanted reflections. In most cases the speakers are also installed behind this fabric. This allows the sound to envelop listeners without the source being visibly apparent. If we have been hired to design the theater, we are willing to travel and personally install our acoustical system in your home. There is probably a company local to your area that can do acoustical treatments.

Existing rooms can use various wall hung panels & fixtures. We can specify size and locations of these products if you like.