A cinewall (media wall) is a made-to-measure timber-framed wall in which your television, cables and often lighting, storage or a fire disappear neatly. The result is a calm living room without trailing leads and loose furniture. Yet the difference between a beautiful cinewall and a mediocre one lies mainly in the preparation. How deep will the wall be, where do the sockets go, and does it all suit the room? In this article you can read how we approach a cinewall, from the first conversation to the final coat of plaster.
A cinewall is essentially a furring wall with a purpose. A frame of timber or metal studs is fixed against the existing wall and clad with plasterboard or sheet material. In that frame we create compartments and recesses for the TV, the media box, speakers or a decorative fire. All the cables run away behind the boarding.
Because the wall is made entirely to measure, it can be given exactly the height and width that suit your room. Some people choose a wall from floor to ceiling, others a lower section with a shelf or an open cabinet next to it. The difference from a TV unit: a cinewall feels like a permanent part of the house.
Start with the TV. Take the dimensions of the set you have or want to buy, and allow for what sits behind it: a wall bracket, plugs and sometimes a soundbar. As a rule a depth of about 20 to 40 centimetres is enough, but with a fire or deep cabinets it becomes more. The deeper the wall, the smaller the room feels.
Also think about viewing height. The centre of the screen should be roughly at eye level when you are sitting on the sofa. A TV that hangs too high is uncomfortable to watch after an evening. We always go through points like these with you, together with the colour, the material and the position of the recesses. If you first want to know roughly what this costs, take a look at the cost of a cinewall.
The biggest advantage of a cinewall is that you no longer see a single cable. That only works if everything has been thought through in advance. Where does the power come from, how many sockets do you need behind the TV, and where does the router or media box go? A conduit from the TV to a cupboard lower down in the wall makes it easy to replace a cable later on.
Lighting finishes a cinewall off. Think of an LED strip in a recess or behind the TV, or recessed spotlights in a frame above it. The same principle applies to spotlights in a suspended ceiling: the wiring goes in during the carpentry. Through our network an electrician joins us for the electrical work, so the connections are made properly and safely.
An electric decorative fire in a cinewall is popular. Such a fire often has its own built-in frame and ventilation requirements from the manufacturer. Those requirements determine how large the opening becomes and which type of board you use around the fire. With a gas or wood-burning fire much stricter rules apply, and a cinewall is not always the right choice there.
So read the fire's installation manual before the frame is made, not afterwards. We match the dimensions of the frame to the fire you choose. You can read more about this combination under a cinewall with a fire. Preferably do not place the TV directly above a heat source, or leave enough space between the two.
The boarding of a cinewall is only the beginning. For a crisp result the joints are filled and the wall is plastered or given a smooth finish, after which it can be painted. A plaster finish gives a seamless, calm wall that suits a modern interior. If you want more texture, a different plaster coat or timber slats are also possible.
On the page plastering walls and ceilings you can read how we handle plastering. Still deciding between a cinewall and an ordinary furring wall? Then look at the difference between a furring wall and a partition wall. Once you have made up your mind, we would be happy to draw up a tailored plan through our cinewall carpentry.
During the carpentry, hold your TV up at the intended height for a moment, using a few screws or tape as markers. Sit down on the sofa and look. It takes five minutes and prevents a screen that hangs too high.
For an average wall the carpentry itself is often finished in a few days. After that come filling, plastering and drying, and only then the painting. So allow for a total lead time of roughly one to two weeks, depending on the finish.
In most cases it can, because the frame is fixed against the existing wall. With a crooked or damp wall we first look at what is needed. The position of radiators, windows and sockets also determines what is possible.
That is possible if you take it into account in the design. Make the recess slightly larger or choose an open surface where the TV hangs on a bracket. Also fit a conduit, so new cables are easy to pull through.
That depends heavily on the size, the finish and whether a fire or lighting goes in. On our page about cinewall costs you will find an indication. For a price that is right for your room, we are happy to come and take a look at your home.
Call or WhatsApp Shahiro with your question, or send a few photos. Where needed we come and take a look, free of charge.
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