I dont have much free wall space in my living room because of the couches and the fireplace.. The best place to put Built in's for DVD's is on ether side of the fireplace wich is a outside wall.. Do people do this? is it a good idea? What steps should I take to help properly insulate??

 

Unless you are going to cut into the wall and go to the outside of the house, I don't see a problem. Most kitchen sinks are on an outside wall below a window. I think waterlines would get damaged quicker than DVD's. You SHOULD have insulation already in the wall. Good luck.

 

Thanks ... I was more cocerned about the lack of insulation were the Built in's would go (for heating / cooling reasons).Should I make sure there is insulation behind the backing of the shelf?

 

I am not positive but I understand your question to infer you are going to install the shelving units into the existing wall, hence "built-in" correct? If so, majakdragon misunderstood your intent.

If this is correct, do not do this on an exterior wall. If you build into the wall, you are removing the cavity that allows placement of the insulation. You also have the problem of breaching any vapor barrier that is in place on the interior side of the wall. You willalso have the additional problem of electrical wiring possible going through this area to deal with. While this is not impossible to overcome, it is additional work. As well, the studs are going to be 14 1/2 inches apart so anything you do would have to fit within that cavity. Other ideas are prefferable.

You need to build out this wall for your built-in shelving. You end up with a second wall spaced the requisite distance away from the true exterior wall when you do this.

 

Yes, this is exactly what I am trying to do So the only way would to build a wall over the existing wall far enough out so I can set the shelves in??

 

That is what I would suggest.

Not saying it isn't possible, just that I would not recommend it.
Additionally the exterior wall is either made with 2x4' or 2x6's. If it is 2x4, there is only 3 1/2 inches of space. 2x6 would br ~5 1/2 inches. By the time you actually put in some sort of insulation (foamboard 1 to 2 inches) it won;t leave much for shelving anyway.

 

i am a custom cabinet builder and a contractor. what you are suggesting is possible but you will need to put a header in for the outside wall you are opening up. then you will need a floor to support the new walls you will be building. you could candalevar the floor off the oringinal floor or pour new concrete outside. it is alot of work to do on a exterior wall

 

Thanks so much for your help guys .. It looks like a little more work then I wanted to do for a place to put DVD's sooo, I guess I'll try and come up with some other ideas..

 

One more thing.. There are a few other places I would like to add some Built-ins / nitches .. Can someone point me to a DYI how to ??