Hiding cables behind skirting boards?

mjn · 06-09-2006, 12:29 PM

Currently about to start the process of decorating every room in the house, and as such i want to take advantage of all the rooms being bare.

What is involved in putting CAT5 cables behind skirting boards?

Basically, i want to hide most cables, and put CAT5 points in all rooms. It is only a 2 bed terrace, not a mansion or anything.

Ideas, please.

Bacus · 06-09-2006, 1:43 PM

mjn,
Do you have a router ?? if so when you have removed the skirting board simply route out on the back the amount (size) chanel you need for your cables. Its not to bad a job to do. Or if you are replacing the skirting boards with new, then you can buy then already channeled out. !!!

mjn · 06-09-2006, 1:47 PM

Thanks, thats what i just reading about. What about the tight 90 degree corners though? and doorways?

Not many cables like being bend through 90 degree, plus some of the cables i have are very thick.

mhuk05 · 06-09-2006, 1:56 PM

It's easier to go wireless

mjn · 06-09-2006, 1:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhuk05

It's easier to go wireless

I could, but i'd rather have a wired network, its more secure for starters, and i have a 1000 network which i'd like to keep.

Ideally i'd like to put speaker, mains and video cable hidden away as well

Bacus · 06-09-2006, 2:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjn

Thanks, thats what i just reading about. What about the tight 90 degree corners though? and doorways?

Not many cables like being bend through 90 degree, plus some of the cables i have are very thick.

Then you could HIRE a wall chasser !! Remove your skirting boards,but mark out the top of them on the wall first. Then chase out the wall !! BUT it is a very dusty job so keep the doors shut and get everything out of the room !!
In the corners of the walls where they return at 90 degrees use a hammer and bolster to chase out a bit deeper to allow you to put a shallow bend in the cables.

Bacus · 06-09-2006, 2:03 PM

mjn,

How old is the house ? can you not go under the floor ?

mjn · 06-09-2006, 2:03 PM

Ok, thanks for that.....think i'll keep that as my backup option

For the bedrooms, i think a simple router in the skirting boards for the CAT5 will be ok.

It's only the front room that needs the extra work.

mjn · 06-09-2006, 2:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikenny

mjn,

How old is the house ? can you not go under the floor ?

The house was built in 1941, i haven't lifted the carpet in the front room yet, but i do know that they are floor boards, so i have the option of lying cables between the joists.

Bacus · 06-09-2006, 2:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjn

The house was built in 1941, i haven't lifted the carpet in the front room yet, but i do know that they are floor boards, so i have the option of lying cables between the joists.

This way would be a lot less work !!

mjn · 06-09-2006, 2:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikenny

This way would be a lot less work !!

But isn't removing T&G floorboards a right pain in the a**?

Unless there is a trick to it?

Bacus · 06-09-2006, 2:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjn

But isn't removing T&G floorboards a right pain in the a**?

Unless there is a trick to it?

Quite an old house !! are you sure its T&G flooring

mjn · 06-09-2006, 2:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikenny

Quite an old house !! are you sure its T&G flooring

mmmmm...you've got me 2nd guessing now..i'm 95% certain it is, but i'm gonna have to check now (well later, when i get home)!

If it isn't, then the job just got a whole lot easier!!

edit: The g/f says that there is plywood over the floorboards, but she thinks that they aren't tongue and groove. But i only had a quick look when we moved in about 1 year ago.

Bacus · 06-09-2006, 2:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjn

mmmmm...you've got me 2nd guessing now..i'm 95% certain it is, but i'm gonna have to check now (well later, when i get home)!

If it isn't, then the job just got a whole lot easier!!

My first house a little o cottage (bless) was built in 1830 and was the old standard inch thick floor boards.
If yours is T&G then the best way is to cut a trap in the floor about 6 inches square from the point you want to run the cables to the point you want them to come up again. So a trap each end. Then feel the cables between the 2 traps. When you go to replace the bit of flooring you have cut out for the trap,fix some battern around the underside of the trap opening so that it is half exposed and half under the origional floor(fixing points) then when you place the bit of flooring to cut out it wont fall through the hole and you can always get access at a later date !!

mjn · 06-09-2006, 2:31 PM

Cool, thanks for all the advice!

I'll let you know how things work out!!

Bacus · 06-09-2006, 2:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjn

Cool, thanks for all the advice!

I'll let you know how things work out!!

No worries, just ask if you want to know anything else, and if i can ill answer. Good luck

mjn · 16-10-2006, 10:26 AM

I thought i'd start small, so started with the main bedroom, and all went according to plan. Mind you, some of the floor boards got broken when being removed, and had to be replaced, but they must have been 40 years old anyway.