
Outside
With continuing fine weather during September I started work on the deck at the back of the house. I had studiously read the recommended way to build the substructure and had the required materials delivered to site. The deck is to run straight out of two rooms – the lounge and the kitchen / diner and will wrap around. So the best way to build the complicated shapes is as a series of rectangles. The ground is also sloped and uneven, but there is only a narrow space in places between the ground and supporting timbers.

I built 37 supporting posts in total; all concreted into the ground. Once I had walked on the timbers I added additional posts (stood on bits of broken paving slab) to make it absolutely rock solid. Ground control fabric was laid under the substructure to stop any vegetation growing up through the deck.

In total 5 rectangles were required to complete the shape of the deck. Before the decking boards could be fitted wires for lighting were run under the structure for later connection.

68 metres square of composite deck boards were fitted to complete the surface ready for lighting and a balustrade.


Inside
We did have some wet days in September and early October and I took the chance to work inside on the room that is to be my pride and joy in the basement.

Muted colours were used and non reflective surfaces chosen. With the room decorated and an old carpet was put down until funds allow. The screen was fitted to the far wall and the projector bolted to the ceiling. Although a total of 9 speakers have been allowed for; I started off with my old home cinema amp and 5.1 Bose acoustimass speakers. The result is pretty good although I will in future upgrade to a Dolby Atmos amp and fit the additional speakers.
The screen is 3.2 metres wide and 13 feet across the diagonal. The big black shape in the lower left is a bar built from black units. Two large sofas mean 7 people can sit in comfort.
The picture quality and sound are both very good. I can run 4 video sources through the system which can be controlled by an Android app. The films and TV shows are stored on a local 4TB NAS system which has several hundred films.
Boys Toys eh!