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Simple thing ... you can install cable, fiber, etc. into every room, but you don't know what the favored medium will be 10 or 20 years from now.I would do a run of empty conduit (maybe two runs) from every room to a common distribution point. Works best if you have a basement and a one-story house. If two stories, make the upstairs run to the attic and then down a chase. Of course, put a pull rope into the conduit when built.
I'm sure there are code requirements for firestops so the details may require a bit of diddling.
Jack
- Put as much of different cable types as you can – conduit/ducting also if at all possible
- Photograph the walls prior to the gib. board (dry-rock in the USA?) going on.
- Don't loose the photographs!
I managed 2 out of the above 3 – guess which one I failed on.
Also try to make sure that key access points are going to remain reasonably accessable in the long term. – e.g patch panel/switchboard top, back, sides and bottom.
Taking key cables (e.g. data, audio, coax etc.) to a central point for patch panel access is a much better idea than hard wiring between where yu think things are going to end up. It will use more cable but plans change.
RP
In addition to telecom, put at least a conduit to 2 walls in each room, and also a conduit or wire to windows and doors. Later you can install e.g. remote-controlled blinds on windows, helps with heating/cooling bill. Another us is for security system. ... pull a wire to vents so that you can later install a remote controlled vents.Sergey Dryga
Really wish I had high-amperage 220V wired in the garage.Perhaps you might want to run wires for satellite in case you want it later.
Glad I didn't wire it for ethernet. Wireless worked well for me.
Wire for door/security cameras — those 2.4ghz wireless cameras pick up noticeable interference.
Neil
Empty conduit runs with oversize junction boxes
Jim
do go overboard with outlets and lighting. Four years ago I was buying rolls of 12–2 wire for $17, those same rolls today are over $70.
Bob
Separate computer power wiring? Our 5 active computers aren't THAT atypical, and I'm starting to worry about the poor circuit breaker that I think they all share... Depends on to what extent you intend to centralize your computers; I like having them all in one room; it turns what might be time spent along into something closer to “family time” (as much as say, watching TV together...)
Bill W
Install conduits and junction boxes throughout the walls. Probably 3/4" EMT; maybe bigger. Put conduit to everyplace you think you might _ever_ want to put a wire. Maybe two conduits; one for power, one for data/fiber/pneumatics/etc.
Lee Jones
Run plenty of power OUTSIDE the house as well. Run the largest power feed to the house, with a large panel.
Power to entertainment areas (tv,stereo,etc) on a seperate and be able to run it off a UPS, so you dont lose settings.
double up coax feeds and ethernet to the entertainment so you can feed to and from.
Plenty of eve outlets, remote switched for xmas lights, etc.
Prewire for camera's at the doors.
Prewire for alarm system.
Alan Smith
I've been thinking about building another house where all the wiring and plumbing would be outside the walls. But that may not be an option for those who want the house to look “nice”. Running conduit where it can be seen makes changes and repairs very easy. It also allows for adding new conduit when and where needed.
Brooke Clarke
Surround Sound
Home Automation