Hide Wires in Walls

How to Hide Wires in Walls

Before we start explaining how to hide wires in walls, let us first recommend getting expert advice. This is especially important if you've never done it before. If, however, you are pretty good with tools and comfortable with basic home repairs, then you should be able to hide wires in the walls of your home.

Getting Your Tools Ready to Hide Wires in Your Walls

Before actually getting started, let's make sure you have the tools you'll need to hide your home theater wires in your walls. The most common tools needed are:

• Pencil
• Drill and Drill Bit
• Drywall Saw
• Screwdriver

Getting Started: Finding Your "Run"

Before making the first hole, you'll want to plan the run for your wires. This involves planning the hole closest to each component to be connected by the wires you are about to hide in the wall. Ideally you will plan your wire run to be vertical, where the wire will enter and leave the wall with one opening above the other. This is because running wires horizontally through your wall will probably involve drilling holes through studs which is a process reserved for experts.

Checking Your Cable Length

It is a good idea to check to make sure your cables are long enough to reach each component before cutting holes to run wires through your wall. To do this, simply connect each component with the cable, then hold the cable up to the starting hole and the end hole. To be safe, you should allow at least 6-12" (15-30cm) more than you think you'll need.

Making Your Holes for The Wall Plates

The best wall plates to use will have a sheet metal plate that will protect the drywall or paneling. These base plates will be slightly smaller than the cover plates, and also have screw holes to attach the cover plate to them. For this style of plates, simply mark the hole in the wall according to the template (which should be provided), then place the plate over the hole. Using the tabs on the base plate, you can bend them easily inside the hole to make sure it fits properly. Two screws should attach the base plate to the wall, which you can now secure in place.

Running Your Cable Through the Wall

To run the cable through the wall, simply insert the cable into the top hole, allowing the cable to drop to the bottom hole. It's a good idea to make a sharp bend in the top cable or connect it to a component to make sure it doesn't drop into the wall if you let it go. If you have a hard time seeing the bottom end of the cable, simply twisting it should make it appear so you can grab it.

Attaching Decorative Cover Plates

Now that you have your cable run through the wall, you can slip on the cover plate and attach it to the base plate. Simply feed the cable through the cover plate, then attach it to the base plate with the screws provided.

Connecting the Components

Now that the cable has been run through the wall and all covers installed in place, you can connect the components.

Congratulations!
You have just completed
Hiding Your Home Theater Wires in Your Walls!