[giuliopan]

Hi,

I have this empty space under the roof which I'd like to convert to a Home Cinema room. I've got a thousand questions, but let's start at the beginning

Firstly: is the room suitable? The ceiling has exposed beams throughout; is this bad for the acoustics?

Secondly, as the room doesn't even have a floor at the moment, I have to decide which kind of flooring to put on. Here (in Italy), it is customary to have tiles, but other options I'm considering are parquet and laminated floor. Which would be best?

Third and final question (for now ) is about the hole in the middle, which is where the spiral staircase leads to; obviously it'd need some kind of banister, which would stand exactly between the sofa and the screen. In my first draft, I tried putting the screen as high as possible, but any suggestion we be highly welcomed.

Thanks!

[amioa]

cant help with the stairs, but the shape of the roof isnt a problem, a bit of diffusion or absorption will do the trick, you dont want focusing effects from the ceiling interfering, but its not as likely with yours, it looks naturally diffuse already. Are you planning on boarding it up?

[giuliopan]

Originally Posted by amioa

Are you planning on boarding it up?

You mean the floor? That's the first big decision. I've seen some tiles I like but would rather do the best thing, acoustically speaking.

Thanks again

[amioa]

tiles will make the room very live, you can stick a rug down if you need to though. I did mean the ceiling, if you leave the ceiling open it will be more diffuse, though not actually seeing it in person its hard to say for sure

[giuliopan]

Originally Posted by amioa

tiles will make the room very live, you can stick a rug down if you need to though.

Do you think a laminated floor would be better?

Originally Posted by amioa

I did mean the ceiling, if you leave the ceiling open it will be more diffuse, though not actually seeing it in person its hard to say for sure

Ah, no, I am not planning on boarding it up as the beams are supposed to be exposed. Though I am thinking about attaching curtains to the larger beams (i.e. the ones you see on the left and right of the screen in the 3D model), to prevent light from entering that space and get better acoustics.
Would that make sense?

[amioa]

it has been said that laminate floors are a little warmer, though it will still be very live..

hanging a drape is a good idea, that will give some absorption, how much will depend on the material you use.

[Rob Sinden]

The screen should be mounted much lower than in your illustration.

This will stop you getting a stiff neck and reduce reflections off the ceiling.

Also the centre of the screen should be mid way between eye height at the listening position and the projector height for the best picture quality.

[leon]

with the staircase u could save money buying a lost ladder .. my company sells 32 types and they do one called the colt roto its a folding pine staircase approx 1200 x 700 wide we use them on loft conversions u wont need a loft banister or rail unless u have kids running around up there they cost around £600 fully fitted