How To: Building A Recessed Home for Flat-Screen TV

Materials and Tools:

level
tape measure
pencil
circular saw
reciprocal saw
hammer
pneumatic nail gun
drill with spade bit and extender
3/4-inch birch plywood
molding
black paint
one gallon of primer
one gallon of Ace Sensations Paint Color: Canyon Wall
one gallon of black paint
carpenter's glue
masks
safety goggles

Steps:

1. Measure (width, height and length) the television. Cut an inspection hole in the wall to make sure there are no hidden wires or pipes. Once you know it's safe, you can create a rough opening for the recessed television space. Consult an electrician to re-route any electricity to the space and run wiring to the rough opening

2. Using a tape measure and level, mark the measurements on the wall with a pencil. Use a reciprocal saw, cut out the rough opening for the recessed home. Pull out the drywall to create the rough opening. Use a hammer to break it into pieces if necessary.

3. With the birch plywood, build a box that will slip in the rough opening to house the gluing the edges to hold the pieces and nail them off. (We also built a smaller box for other video components.) Paint the interior of the box black to blend the television into the space and hide the wiring.

4. With a spade bit and extender, drill holes down through the box(es) to run cords for television and components. With the box in place, run and install all wiring. Nail the box into place.

5. Glue and nail the molding trim around the birch plywood, and paint it. For any touch-ups to the molding, use painter's tape to mask off the recess.

6. Install the television and components.