Designing Outdoor Entertainment Centers - Upgrade The Value Of Your Home
A Cost Effective Way To Add Value To Your Home
The construction is very simple. It basically consists of the main box that is framed much like a standard stick framed wall. It is 8 feet high by approximately 7 feet 6 inches wide on the main structure and a little more than 2 feet deep.
It features a TV in an environmental enclosure that protects it from both high and low temperatures. The boxes on the sides are about 1 feet 4 inches and are capped buy a faux wood slab that is both cost effective and very low maintenance.
The beams and facade stone are also made from a faux panel and faux beams. These panels can be a bit pricey so as seen in this picture the build out cost minus the TV and Fireplace are around $5000 - 7000 using professional labor but a dyi regular should be able to complete most of this project on a Saturday. To save money you could use the faux panels on the main face and use something cheaper like a Stucco, distressed barn board or other reclaimed materials for pretty cheap. The fireplace is actually an outdoor rated electronic fireplace.
You will want to have a ground fault interrupt installed by an electrician and if you have a whole home automation system it can be integrated in to that.
Check With A Local Realtor
In talking to a local realtor in my area they felt that this added feature would almost immediately be worth several thousand dollars in profit and has started selling the idea to her clients for early summer installation. We have also seen interest from people who are developers that are looking for upgrade packages that they can use to up-sell to their customers along with custom kitchen and bathroom upgrades. Outdoor living areas are a unique way not only to add value to your home but guarantee the party will be at your house.
Links for this project:
Open Source Home Automation
Electronic Fireplace
Faux Panels & Beams
Led 12V Remote Controlled Lighting Strips