A safe, but time-consuming and expensive way to cover the cord is to hide it inside the wall. Hidden wiring does not interfere with the attractive appearance of the repair; it looks aesthetically pleasing and complete.
If the partition is made of concrete at the installation site, you cannot do without gating. This is a difficult, dusty solution that is suitable only for those who have started major renovation and at the rough finishing stage I remembered the desire to hang the TV on the wall and hide the cord from it.
- To do this, you need to clearly draw a diagram of where the wires will go, their beginning and the exit of the route.
- The groove in the wall is placed strictly diagonally or vertically to the nearest outlet or junction box.
- If the wall has already been laid electrical cables, before starting work, arm yourself with equipment to identify hidden wiring.
Everything is much simpler if you need to place the TV on a plasterboard wall. Then mark the distance from the bracket to the nearest outlet, and stretch the wire into the wall cavity behind the building material.
Hide a cable channel or decorative box in a cable
Using a product like this is a simple and inexpensive method to hide the wiring from the TV. You can find plastic, metal and combination types on the market. This way to hide wiring is not only stylish, but also safe. The boxes comply with fire standards.
The main thing is to choose the right size of the material, taking into account all the cables that need to be placed in it, and also calculate the length to the outlet. This material is produced in pieces 2 m long, which must be connected with special elements (connectors, plugs, tees, corners in different directions when turning, etc.). The color of the box is selected in accordance with the wall cladding.
Decorative boxes can turn cable networks from your TV into a piece of themed wall decor.
- Lined with brick, they are suitable for decorating a room in a modern style.
- For loft, products in the form of small diameter pipes are used.
- Those who prefer eco-style should take a closer look at wood-look options.
In addition, such an element can be easily painted to match the color of the wallpaper or decorated wooden planks, imitating the texture and shade of wall cladding.
Hide in furniture
Under the TV you can place a hinged panel with a built-in wiring compartment and a lockable door. A banquette under the screen would look good. But the most common way to hide the cord coming from the TV is to place practical furniture under it: a cabinet or pencil case. It is enough to place it in the TV area and all the wiring will be located behind cabinets or shelves on the wall.
Please note that if you need to lay part of the wire and hide it horizontally, along the wall and close to the floor, use a plinth - it comes with a special niche. To carry out the work, you only need to remove the top cover of the plinth and then fasten it back. Manipulations are carried out without additional tool, debris and dust.
Photo of TV wire decor
A good idea on how to decorate, hide and decorate an electrical cable is to use silicone stickers. They are inexpensive and can fit into almost any design. By using your imagination you can create a composition of weaving flowers, sitting birds, etc.
Original options for decorating wires
Sometimes designers use a non-standard technique when it is better not to disguise the cords from the TV, but to leave them in the most visible place and at the same time benefit from the situation. If the length allows, they form graphic patterns on the wall and assemble whole compositions that harmoniously fit into the overall theme of the renovation. The wires can be “dressed” in multi-colored casings if the interior requires it. Before attaching the cables, you must first draw a sketch with a pencil on the wall.
You can decorate hanging wires from the TV using a garland. For example, string large beads onto thin wires.
How to disguise wires in the interior of rooms?
Living room
Here it is recommended to lay the wire to the TV and speakers in the baseboard, behind the furniture and even under the carpet. Below the plasma looks great decorative fireplace or a cabinet behind which you can hide the wiring.
Bedroom
In the relaxation room, you can decorate with flowers, fabric, or hide the TV panel with wires in a closet. The antenna can be included in a composition with bows and ribbons, and the wire can be hidden behind a mirror or picture.
Kitchen
Here the electrical wire will be well hidden behind kitchen set or in a niche.
Photo gallery
Today, many people install their TV on the wall. At the same time, the problem arises of how to hide the wires going to the outlet. One of the most reliable and aesthetic methods is wall slitting or laying cords under drywall. However, this method is only suitable for those who are doing repairs. In addition, you can decorate the wires with a decorative box, hide them in a special channel, or use various available materials in the form of fabric, stickers, flowers, etc.
Since housing problem forever changed the consciousness of Muscovites, and indeed all other inhabitants of the planet, concern for the appearance and interior decoration of their homes began to worry property owners no less, and sometimes more, than the acquisition of this property itself. Communications came first, of course: pipes and wires.
Indeed, the costs of some renovations often compete with the prices of apartments (or even exceed them). Cost estimates finishing materials in total, the apartment draws out, sometimes, tens of thousands of dollars; highly qualified work (carried out, however, not always by competent “specialists”) is paid according to the formula “100% of the price of materials.” And now, when almost silk wallpaper, at a price calculated per square inch, is finally pasted, the question usually arises - what about the wiring? Even if this question arises in time, i.e. before finishing, then the classic solution is to punch channels for cables in the walls with a hammer drill - and extends the repair time, proportionally increases the cost, and significantly adds discomfort to the neighbors.
Of course, I would like to avoid the destructive impact on load-bearing and demarcating structures. (After all, it's not safe for the entire house). And this is where the main clash between the beautiful and the useful occurs. By beautiful we mean considerations of aesthetics and design of the appearance of the room being finished. And under useful - considerations of utilitarian properties and, of course, fire safety, which one or another method of laying electrical wiring in an apartment brings with it.
In this article I would like to raise and analyze various ways organization of household electrical equipment in personal dwellings in apartment buildings. Indeed, due to the high cost of the issue (repairs and capital improvements), this seems quite relevant.
Slitting process
Why bother with “disguising” the electrical wiring if you can first attach it to the main wall, and then simply plaster it on top. The technique is called “hidden” and the sequence of actions is not always exactly the same. Most often, a team of plasterers does their job valiantly, and then they are replaced by electricians who begin to reformat the world in their own way, in accordance with the tasks assigned to them. This is strongly reminiscent of the joke about two soldiers from a construction battalion, one of whom was digging holes, and the other was burying them after him (there was no third one, who was supposed to plant trees, but an order is an order). To carry out wiring, electricians are forced to make channels for wires and holes in the plaster with a hammer drill - to punch the surface.
Not everyone and not always want this burdensome procedure:
- Scoring damages existing plaster. It is extremely rare to be able to break through neat channels. And even if this can be done, the final layer of plaster in the areas of gating will still have to be restored after laying the cable. It is worth recognizing that the technique is very multi-iterative.
- Grooving is associated with increased generation of dust, which will be everywhere in the apartment. If we are not talking about the initial arrangement, but about repairs, then you will definitely have to re-glue the wallpaper and update the ceiling.
- Long-term unpleasant sound impact of a hammer drill. Even if you produce renovation work at hours strictly defined by law, your neighbors won’t thank you anyway.
- The wiring turns out to be completely hidden. There will never be access to it now.
The purpose of the thesis of this section is not at all to discredit one of the most universal construction technologies, which provides great opportunities (grinding). In relation to electrical wiring, I would like to emphasize that the design and aesthetic appeal of the method comes at the price of safety. Electricity is not something to joke about, and communications tend to fall into disrepair. It would be good to replace them. But if the wires in the apartment are laid in channels drilled into the wall, then you can simply forget about it. Replacing the wiring is only possible by laying a new cable and disconnecting the old one (at both ends).
In this regard, it would be nice, of course, to get an alternative. There is such a way - it is laying electrical cables in an open way. The features and capabilities of this path are described below.
Open Wiring Options
The biggest plus open method I can’t name it right away. In fact, what is more important: affordability, technological simplicity or future fire safety? But all these positive traits are fully inherent in any of the open wiring options. By the way, it’s worth naming them:
- cable channels;
- corrugated sleeves;
- skirting boards / baguettes.
All these “camouflage” techniques serve three main purposes:
- observing the requirements of aesthetics (i.e. harmoniously), hide the wiring cables, making them part of the interior;
- improve fire safety electrical wiring by providing access to any part of it for possible control or replacement;
- provide shielding from electromagnetic radiation, created by alternating current. It should be noted right away that not all materials cope with this task and, as a rule, effective ones are much more expensive.
External “camouflage means” for wires actually generate an order of magnitude less debris and dust than gating. However, there will still be inconveniences. Start with the inevitable moving of furniture away from the walls. In addition, fastening all of the above devices to the walls will most likely be done using a hammer drill and a screwdriver (with dowels and screws). So you'll have to make some noise and spray.
Before you start “hiding” and masking the wiring, it is strongly recommended that you contact professional designers and make a wiring project. These devices themselves are intended to make the room more beautiful. It would be a shame to ruin it appearance only because the aesthetic idea was not fully formed.
Stages of work
After drawing up a design project, it is logical to begin marking the walls and highlighting those places where it is planned to install cable outlets from the elements covering them. We are talking, first of all, about switches and sockets.
Next, you should attach the base (for boxes), brackets (for corrugated sleeves) or fixed fasteners (for baseboards) to the walls. This is the only stage where you will have to use a drill and screwdriver. I would like to wish it to be completed in the shortest possible period of time.
Next we lay the wiring inside the elements. After installation, we bring the elements to their final condition and inspect them. The wiring must be free in the channels. We inspect the finished work: there should be no kinks or super-dense (tight) laying of wires.
Let's start testing: we measure the insulation resistance. When the results are recorded, we try to apply operating voltage. We carefully listen to the wiring - there should be no extraneous noise: periodic crackling, sound vibrations. In addition, there should be no dangerous odors, such as burning plastic. After turning off the power, check the insulation between the cable cores. Electrical resistance should be at least 0.5 mOhm. If this value is less, then the defect must be corrected. The result may be due to:
- damaged insulation due to cable contact with various kinds obstacles;
- there is a crease;
- Pay special attention to the presence of hardware along the route of the electrical wire. Sometimes, a self-tapping screw or nail causes damage to the insulation;
- Incorrect connection of wire cores in the panel.
If, after measuring the insulation resistance, everything works and the test light is on, then we move on to the final stage.
We open the boxes and/or baseboards and connect the wires to sockets and switches. After this, close the lids again. The wiring is ready for use.
Cable channels
Cable duct boxes are the most common when designing wiring when carrying out repairs according to the so-called European standard. Any hardware store usually has a wide selection of such boxes. various profiles, designed for any functionality. So there are no restrictions on the flight of design ideas.
The boxes are made of polycarbonate and cost pennies, so the economic factor will not be a limiting barrier either. The material is non-flammable. It does not support combustion, it does not even really melt when it gets into the fire, however, it loses its shape and curls. Plastic elements are lightweight and easy to handle with a simple knife. The boxes in question are presented, as a rule, in the widest range of colors and colors. So you will definitely be able to find the option that most suits the wallpaper (for example).
In fact, cable channels are not just plastic boxes, but also the entire line of fittings and accompanying elements:
- crosses;
- plugs;
- adapters.
When used together, they can create the impression of “technological advancement” of the room.
Regarding the shielding effect, it should be noted that such boxes cost on average twice as much. Firstly, due to the presence of an additional beneficial effect. And secondly, thanks to the internal coating of both the base and the lid, made of foil.
The boxes cope perfectly with all the tasks assigned to them:
- they provide access to the entire length of wiring in the apartment without difficult dismantling (just remove the cover with a latch from the base);
- they provide satisfactory fire safety, guaranteeing the non-propagation of fire due to possible powerful sparks as a result of a short circuit;
- they are an excellent room decoration tool.
From the design point of view, the cable channel box in the classic version is recommended to be white and placed either along the baseboard or under the ceiling. Then, regardless of the length of such channels, the room (whether painted or with wallpaper pasted) will have a complete look. And the snow-white boxes will be just the highlighting element that will create and accentuate the elegance of the room.
Corrugated sleeves
Nowadays, it’s probably easier to stumble upon such a corrugated tube than to see the electrical wire in its pure form. And not for nothing. the main task such a sleeve - to provide additional protection wires from mechanical damage, and also (this is much more common here) to protect both the wire from the electromagnetic influence of possible surrounding emitters, and to rid the room of the induced electromagnetic field caused by the passage of alternating current through the wire.
Although the corrugated pipe standardizes all wires (thin, thick and multi-colored) into one format, it is not an important design tool. It is completely unsuitable for keeping its shape, and it will be located parallel to the floor in two cases:
- if it is fixed to the ceiling;
- and if it is attached to the floor.
Therefore, cases when a corrugated pipe is used are more likely to be technological justification: you need to collect the wires in one bundle. Those. In this case there are too many wires that they need such structuring - this is clearly not an apartment format.
The disadvantage of such a pipe is the impossibility of visual inspection of the wiring along its entire length. And in general, it will be extremely difficult to inspect any significant area of it without damaging the corrugation.
You should not display the corrugated pipe, shaping the appearance of the rooms. It should be borne in mind that this is rather an “intermediate” material. Several of these pipes look very impressive, running together and each branching to its own consumer. But this layout should be covered from above by some kind of decorating surface.
Skirting boards and baguettes
One of traditional ways hide the wiring. Since its appearance in our homes, this has become the second utilitarian purpose of skirting boards (both below and above). Modern skirting boards are, of course, much more suitable for this function:
- they are made of non-flammable plastic;
- they have sufficient internal volume to accommodate several different types of wires at once;
- their construction ideology includes the possibility of dismantling. Those. their installation is provided on brackets that are already permanently attached to the wall or floor;
- they have a full line of accompanying fittings (such as corners, joints, transitions, plugs, etc.)
Wooden skirting boards are less convenient in this regard, and their fire resistance raises certain concerns. However, in some cases, such skirting boards significantly outperform plastic ones:
- Enough to process wooden baseboard a special composition that gives the wood fire-fighting properties, and such a part will not only not catch fire, it will not even maintain a flame if thrown into an open fire.
A plinth made of expensive wood has two advantages:
- it still remains affordable (since, in any case, it has a small volume of this most valuable wood);
- it gives the entire room an attention-grabbing nobility (even regardless of what cheap materials the walls are decorated with).
Finally, it is difficult to imagine that the walls, which are covered with natural wood panels, would be trimmed along the perimeter with plastic skirting boards.
Baguettes repeat the features of baseboards with one exception. If the decoration of the room contains molding (and baguette - its component), then this is a non-removable decorative element, and the wiring laid along such a channel will forever remain inaccessible.
Laying wires in baseboards and baguettes has another advantage. Nearby, as a rule, there are sockets or other consumers (in the case of a baguette, these can be all kinds of alarms or even surveillance cameras). That. there is no need to rack your brains about how to connect the wire to them, and then also disguise it beautifully.
Alternative methods of hidden wiring without gating
Are there other methods of hiding the wiring without the need to chisel concrete, which, however, completely eliminate the presence of any elements on the walls? Yes. Excellent camouflage elements are the floor and ceiling. Not all of them, of course. This refers only to those floor surfaces that are laid out on logs. And the ceiling is supposed to be some additional decorative plane, located indented from the main horizontal ceilings. In addition, there are other options, which are discussed below.
Floor
Laminate flooring is now widely used in apartments. Thin parquet that replaced the classic wooden planks. In accordance with modern technologies, it is laid on sheets of plywood. But before this, it is planned to install heat and sound insulation. In other words, first logs are laid on the concrete floor, between which insulating materials are placed ( stone wool, for example), and then on smooth joists sheets of plywood, etc. are placed. Nothing prevents us from laying a fairly large number of electrical wires into the space between the joists.
Here, by the way, corrugated pipes are very useful. If the wires are laid in them, then you no longer have to worry about fire safety. Cables can easily be laid both along the joists and across them by cutting out spaces in the wooden guides for the wires to cross them. If you place the sockets close to the baseboards (i.e., closer to the floor), then there will be no additional problems in hiding the wires running from the floor to them along the walls.
Switches are usually located at waist level. But here skirting boards that frame, for example, a doorway will help us. There is one pair of wires going to the switch, and such a cable will easily fit into the space created by a neat baseboard, even if the wire is located inside a corrugated pipe of minimal diameter.
With safety and aesthetics, everything is more or less clear. What about access to the wiring for possible repairs or replacements? Everything is bleak here. Laying electrical cables in this way is essentially equivalent to laying them under plaster. It is unlikely that anyone would ever remove baseboards and disassemble parquet or tongue and groove flooring just to change the wire. Only if combined with other renovation aspirations. In general, repairing the lower plane is one of the most labor-intensive repair activities.
Ceiling
Hanging and stretch ceiling They are increasingly becoming widespread both in private homes and in institutions and offices (offices). The main motivating factor for owners to install a suspended ceiling in their apartment is dust. Traditional whitewashing can generate up to 38% (according to the latest data from European researchers) of all dust in an apartment. Tension planes are much more hygienic.
In offices, suspended ceilings have long become a classic feature of business style and design. They are inexpensive, easy to install and ergonomic to use. Plus, suspended ceilings are located at some distance from the main ceilings, which, of course, takes away precious centimeters from the height of the room, but it also provides the most convenient way to route electrical wiring and signal cables in an apartment or office.
The absence of obstacles allows, using such space, to conduct wires directly (i.e. along the shortest route). Which means:
- the cost of the overall wiring circuit in the room is significantly reduced;
- reducing the total length of conductors (cables) reduces the overall resistance of the circuit, which enhances fire safety in a home or office.
Unlike floor coverings, both suspended and suspended ceilings can be dismantled much easier and more efficiently (suspended - in general, in parts). Therefore, replacing the wires will involve minimal inconvenience.
Here, as in the case of placing wires under the floor, it is strongly recommended to “form” individual wires or their bundle into corrugated pipes - the key fire safety the entire system.
The disadvantage of such wiring is its “isolation” from consumers. If you need to power some kind of alarm system or surveillance camera, which are usually located under the ceiling, then pulling the cable through the under-ceiling space is an ideal option. What if we are talking about a socket or switch? The wire will go through the entire wall (or most of it), which forces, at best, to resort to the design elements discussed above (boxes, etc.). But the “clean wall” effect is lost forever. And here it will not be possible to get out of the situation with the help of a plinth running along the door jamb, because... the door is usually adjacent to the floor and does not touch the ceiling.
Walls
Drywall has long been ingrained in Russian homes. It seems to be represented everywhere: in offices and private individual houses, and in apartments, etc. Recently, it has been considerably diluted with other panel materials: chipboard, fibreboard, fiberboard, etc. But the essence remains the same - the boards are designed to create ideal flat surface. As in the case of the ceiling and floor, panel materials are installed at some distance from the capital structures (walls). They are fixed on guides (wooden or metal) in perfect perpendicular to the plane land position, and one of the useful side effects, created by them, is the space that is formed between them and the camps.
If you use this space for the purpose of laying communications, then almost all the advantages of floors and ceilings (in this aspect) are aggregated and all the disadvantages disappear:
- Now you can power any consumer, no matter where it is located along the wall height.
- Replacing the wiring becomes a fairly simple operation that does not create any significant inconvenience. It is enough to disassemble and remove, for example, a socket or switch, disconnect the other end of the wire and pull the wire out through the open socket of the consumer.
You should be prudent and tie any thread to the free end of the wire so that, using this thread, you can further stretch new cable in reverse order.
- Fire safety is ensured by placing the electrical wire in a corrugated pipe.
There seems to be only one drawback here - it will not be possible to connect different points in the apartment along the shortest route, as is the case with ceilings. You'll have to walk around the perimeter. But this minus pales in comparison with a full-fledged solution to the problem of hiding electrical communications throughout the house.
Even taking into account the fact that wireless technologies are increasingly taking their place in our daily lives, we are not yet able to completely abandon wires. Despite any Wi-Fi networks, television, telephone and Internet cables are still present in our apartments (not to mention ordinary electrical wires).
Even if all this is connected into one cable, there is no escape from the need to lay it. This means that the wires need to be disguised somehow. How? Read our article...
INSIDE OR OUT?
To begin with, there are two main ways to hide wiring: directly inside the wall or on its outside.
The first option involves a lot of dusty work: you will have to scratch the walls and spoil existing finish putting off dreams of beautiful interior for some time. But this option will radically solve the problem of interior aesthetics. It is recommended to use this method during a major renovation of an apartment or in a new building.
For those who are not interested in hiding the wires once and for all, we can offer one of the simplest and budget options- cable channels. Let us outline their main advantages:
- the problem of unsightly, tangled or dangling wires is completely solved: the cables are hidden, and a decorative element in the form of a cable channel appears on the floor or wall;
- ease of installation: the cable channel box is fixed on the wall, the wires are laid inside, and the lid is closed on top. No inconvenience with wall chasers, dust, construction debris or damaged finishes;
- ease of use: the cover and the cable channel body are connected using a latch lock, which allows you to open and check the cables inside at any time, lay a new one or remove an unnecessary wire;
- thanks to the presence of various connecting elements, it is possible, if necessary, to increase the length of the cable route, run it to the wall, ceiling, or, conversely, lower it to the floor;
- low cost makes cable duct one of the most affordable ways to beautifully hide wiring.
Few non-specialists in this field know that a cable channel is not just one plastic box with an opening lid. Today in the markets you can find the most different types cable channels for various purposes.
Once you find out which boxes are used for what, it will be much easier for you to navigate when purchasing, and the interior will look much neater.
WHY IS IT STILL NECESSARY TO INSTALL CABLE CHANNELS?
Firstly, they make the interior of the room more neat and aesthetically attractive. Agree, confused between
are wires - not best decoration your room.
Secondly, it is convenient: it will be much easier to figure out which wire powers a particular device.
And thirdly, it's safe. If you have small children or pets in your house, you must hide the wiring so that
protect them from electric shock. Even a small-sized cockatoo parrot can bite through a 0 10 mm wire with its beak!
TYPES OF CABLE CHANNELS
Today, cable channels are made of aluminum, steel, and plastic.
PLASTIC CABLE CHANNELS
The most popular are plastic cable ducts, as they have good characteristics. Sami cable channels They are usually made from PVC.
main feature quality material is that when mechanical impact the channel changes shape and also easily restores it without significant changes.
Accessories for cable channels are made of ABS plastic with additional additives that prevent the spread of combustion and the release of harmful vapors when heated (the composition is similar to the material of plastic parts of sockets and switches). This material is easy to recognize: its structure is uniform, there is no lamination, and the product is quite durable.
Plastic models have different color scheme. Models with a wood pattern are very popular.
METAL CABLE CHANNELS
Metal models (aluminum and steel) are characterized by excellent fire performance. High-quality galvanized steel has a special coating that prevents corrosion. Metal cable channels have a long service life and are much more durable than plastic models - they can even withstand hammer blows.
The price for such products starts from 2200 rubles. per linear meter.
BOARD CABLE CHANNELS
Often, a cable channel is not an interior decoration, but a need to hide the wires so that they are as invisible as possible. Skirting cable channels cope with this task perfectly.
These are peculiar plastic skirting boards, in the central part of which there is an internal cavity where the wires are laid. There are entire systems of plinth cable channels: not only long trays, but also a series additional devices, allowing you to assemble a structure of any configuration.
These can be external and internal corners, bends different shapes, plugs, mounting boxes on which switches and sockets can be installed. There is also an option to install sockets directly at the baseboard level. This is convenient in the kitchen, when sockets are provided for built-in large household appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, electric stove) - so they don’t interfere, they’re almost invisible.
The disadvantage of this system is that the plinth cable channel accommodates a small number of wires. Most often, a television cable is hidden in it. To bring out the connectors in the right places, there is special fittings that allow you to do this neatly and as discreetly as possible.
Common sizes of plinth cable channels: 15 x 100; 20 x 50; 20 x 70; 25 x 100 mm. Also available for sale are cable channels such as large sizes(35 x 80; 35 x 105; 50 x 80; 50 x 105; 50 x 150; 65 x 150 mm), and mini-series (20 x 12.5, 32 x 12.5; 40×12.5 ; 32×16:^0x16; 60 x 20;
The price of such a product depends on the manufacturer; the most budget models can be purchased at a price of 385 rubles. per linear meter, the price of accessories starts from 30 rubles. a piece.
FLOOR CABLE CHANNELS
It happens that you need to pull the wires to the center of the room along the floor.
You can, of course, throw in an extension cord. But in this case, wires will appear again, which are easy to touch and get caught, and computer chair It is not advisable to transport it along a wire - you will have to lift it every time.
This is where floor cable channels come to the rescue. They are used for reliable laying of cables along the floor, as they can withstand heavy loads. Moreover, the relatively low height of the structure allows you to move freely around the room without fear of tripping, and even a computer chair on wheels can easily overcome this obstacle.
This type of cable ducts differs in both shape and installation method. They are mounted on the floor, so on one side they have a rounded shape, so they do not interfere with movement. Available in impact-resistant plastic or aluminum. There are also accessories for them - joints, corners and plugs. The most common sizes: 50 x 12; 75×17; 92×20; 160×65 mm.
The price of floor cable channels is not much different from baseboard ones - they are sold at a price of 370 rubles. per linear meter.
FOR WALLS PARAPET CABLE CHANNELS
Cable channels of this type are similar in structure to baseboard ones. The main difference is this. that they are mounted above floor level. Installation of parapet cable channels is carried out, as a rule, at the level of window sills or at the level of the workplace. It is possible to install switches and various sockets (for 220 V power supply, television, Internet, etc.) in the body of parapet cable channels. They also consist of various elements, allowing you to assemble any configuration.
Parapet cable channels have various finishing options, allowing you to either make the channel invisible (then the elements are matched to the color of the wall decoration), or, conversely, highlight it and make it an accent in the interior.
The price for parapet cable channels is almost twice as high as for floor ones and averages 600 rubles. per linear meter.
PERFORATED CABLE CHANNELS
This is a type of electrical boxes, the distinctive feature of which is perforation (comb-shaped profile) on the sides. They are, as a rule, a U-shaped profile 2 m long and have a different cross-section. If necessary, they are equipped with a lid with continuous or partial perforation. As with other cable channel models, the cover snaps into place after the cables have been laid. This profile design is used to lighten the weight and installation of cable routes. Perforated cable ducts are often used when the appearance of this installation is not so important (for example, in closets, basements, utility rooms).
The prices for such cable channels are among the most budget-friendly - on average 200 rubles. per linear meter.
FLEXIBLE CABLE CHANNELS
In situations where a “flexible approach” is important - if the walls, floor or ceiling have relief or height differences - we need cable channels that can easily repeat this shape. In this case, flexible cable channels are used. There are cable channels of open and closed types. Open ones are easy to maintain and install. Closed completely prevent the entry of foreign objects. TYPES OF FLEXIBLE CABLE CHANNELS:
- flexible chains (or tracks)- multi-sectional structures that can bend along their entire length in one plane (up and down). Each element of the “chain” is connected to adjacent links by a hinged linkage and has a snap-on lid. There are small gaps between the links, which is why the cable channels are called semi-closed.
Most often they are used in production to connect machines. However, this does not mean that the owner of a private house cannot use such a cable channel. If he has his own home workshop or garage, this type will be very useful to him. Width of flexible chains - from 20 to 234 mm;
- tubular: flexible cable channel for connecting to the door. Such a cable channel consists of a flexible metal hose and two fastening elements, which are attached to the wall and door. Typically, such transitions are used to power electric locks. Please note that the tubular cable duct can be bent countless times, but only if there are flexible wires inside (made of thin wire)
- molded from soft plastic or rubber. Cable channels, molded from rubber or soft plastic, have fairly thick walls that can prevent moisture from getting inside. In a private home, cast cable ducts are successfully used for electrical wiring in a bathhouse (with the possible exception of a steam room).
Flexible cable channels will cost more - prices start from 1000 rubles. per linear meter.
MINI CABLE CHANNELS
By and large, mini-cable channels are standard U-shaped channels with a lid, but with a much smaller cross-section. Another difference from conventional cable channels is the absence of accessories (plugs, joints, corners, etc.). They are used where there is no need to hide a large number of wires: for example, when connecting ceiling lighting to country house. Mini cable channels can be of the following sizes: 10 x 10; 12 x 12; 16 x 14; 20x20; 25x25; 40x40 mm.
The price for mini cable channels varies from 60 to 150 rubles. per linear meter.
FOR CORNERS
Due to their design, corner cable channels can be installed at the junction of the room wall and ceiling and, less often, instead of a baseboard.
Angled cable channels are cut with a hacksaw at the desired angle. Do this carefully so that the corners meet evenly with each other, as they can also serve as a decorative element - molding. No one will ever guess that there are wires hidden underneath! However, such cable channel There is also a drawback - there is not as much space in it as in a baseboard.
The most common dimensions are 40 x 40 mm, so you can’t fit a lot of cables into it, and we’re not even talking about wiring. Also, baseboard cable channels have thinner walls and are more likely to be damaged when laid underneath. Here you need to be careful not to damage the wires that you will lay.
The price for such cable channels varies from 60 to 150 rubles. per linear meter.
IS IT WORTH HIDING WIRES IN THE WALL?
If the interior style and your funds allow, you can take an extremely contradictory route: do not hide the wiring, but, on the contrary, expose it. How?
RETROWIRING
First we will, of course, talk about retro wiring.
Some time ago, this is exactly how wiring was done: insulators were nailed to the wall, and twisted wires were attached to them. Then came the fashion for hidden wiring: everyone tried to hide the wires as much as possible, leaving only the frames of sockets and switches outside, but they also tried to make them as inconspicuous as possible. However, recently designers have realized that everything new is well forgotten old, so open wiring retro style is gaining popularity again.
It fits perfectly into the loft style, English, classic styles interiors, and also looks great in wooden houses made of logs, where a plastic cable channel would look simply ridiculous.
If everything is clear with the first reason (aesthetic), then the second reason why cable channels in log houses they don’t establish, is that a wooden house changes its size all the time. Even after the main shrinkage has passed, there are changes and they are seasonal in nature: in wet periods the wall becomes higher, in dry periods it settles. The difference in height can be up to 5 cm per floor! And since the cable channels do not change their size, the problem of their damage arises.
Retro wiring and all its components are not cheap: the twisted wire itself costs from 165 rubles. per linear meter, sockets - from 1200 per piece, switches - from 1500 per piece.
CREATIVE APPROACH TO WIRING
If you are a young and active person or just keep up with modern trends, you will like our ideas.
Organize whole pictures out of wires! To do this, you will need a sketch or photograph of the future painting, a construction pencil, a couple of packages of staples for attaching the cable and the wire itself, the length of which depends on the size and complexity of the future drawing. The linear picture itself is outlined with a pencil, as well as the places where the cable begins (for example, a socket) and its end (a lamp).
A wall drawing made of wire will become the “highlight” of the interior
A TV hung on the wall looks original, reminiscent of a painting, and allows you to save free space. In any case, this is an interesting design move that allows you to improve the interior. Due to the fact that in modern apartments there are a large number household appliances, the issue of masking wires is relevant and worries many owners. Do not panic, because there are a huge number of options to solve this problem. You should rely on your own imagination and choose a creative approach to solving this problem.
Great idea for a lot of wires
As already mentioned, there are several options. Some require only creativity and imagination, while others require certain skills. Let's look at the main ways to improve this situation.
This is the easiest way. You can simply hide the protruding pieces behind a closet, live plants, original curtains and driftwood. In order to disguise this wire, it is not necessary to make it invisible. By turning this element into part of the decor, you can enjoy the environment and the fruit of your own labor. Can also be used for this purpose special boxes, used in various shapes, materials and colors.
Using available tools and some design techniques, you can decorate your TV cable in an original way.
- If the apartment is decorated in a loft style, you can use channels, which are represented as if they were laid out from small bricks.
- If we are talking about a classic space, then such an apartment often involves wood finishing, so additional panels will not be superfluous.
- If the room is decorated in a high-tech style, television branches can be presented in the form of pipes. They are fixed to the wall with screws or mounted on nails.
It is important to know! If you want to get an impressive result, you should not undertake such events yourself, especially if you lack the appropriate skills. If you turn to professionals, they will do all the work efficiently and quickly, and there will be no traces left on the wall.
Variety of decorative boxes
If a person has well developed creative thinking, he will quickly think of ways to disguise the cables. In this case, you can use only available materials. There are a huge number of options, and you need to choose the method that will be appropriate for a particular decor.
- If the wires are of sufficient length, they can be laid out directly on the wall in the form of a pattern on a specific theme. At the same time, you should act according to a certain scheme during their registration. At first with a simple pencil sketches are made, and then you can begin the main work.
Decorative elements will help disguise the TV cable
A real work of art can be created thanks to a television cable
You can create wall paintings in the children's room
Hide the cable behind books and the room will look neater
Ideal plant camouflage
It is important to know! During the work, it is necessary to take into account the fact that it is highly recommended not to violate the integrity of the cord sheath. After all, this can not only contribute to the failure of the device, but also lead to an emergency situation.
If there is already a repair and you do not want to violate the integrity of the wall, you can start designing a channel of wires and cables directly on the surface. Making such a box will not be difficult. After all, there are a large number of construction markets and other retail facilities. To do this, you need to paint the resulting protrusion in a color that matches the wall. You can also interestingly play with this moment through accessories and at the same time get the optimal design solution.
Cable frame behind TV
Advice! If the design options are more complex, you can drill into the wall. You can also run wires through it or use a channel built inside the wall.
In the first case, actions are appropriate for walls that are not load-bearing. Again, you should not carry out such work yourself; it is better to entrust it to experienced professionals.
If desired, some types of furniture can be folded in the form of a designer. If possible, you can allocate empty space in the place where the TV should be placed. In this case, all cable branches will be located directly behind the furniture structures.
Practical and unusual options masking wires
It is important to know! If you want to avoid problems with wires at all, you should consider installing a TV that operates from a centralized station as an option.
Sometimes, when purchasing new equipment or after repairs, the wires in the apartment remain lying on the floor or hanging on the wall. They seriously spoil the appearance of a home, and can also cause a person or electronics to fall. You need to clarify in advance how to hide the wires so as not to spoil the design and make the house safe.
Internal placement
When a major renovation begins in an apartment or house, the wiring is most often recessed into the walls. First, using a wall chaser, drill, or hammer drill, grooves are made in the wall, into which the cables are then hidden. Wiring in a wooden house must be placed in a protective corrugation - a shell that will protect them from adverse effects and prevent damage.
Communications remain open during cosmetic renovations of the home or when installing new sockets and switches. If you wish, you can always correct the situation without extra costs. There are several methods to hide wires with your own hands.
On the walls
It happens that the wallpaper is already pasted, and you don’t want to violate its integrity. There is an option to eliminate protruding cables without causing serious damage:
- carefully cut the wallpaper or bend it away from the wall close to the floor;
- take a convenient construction tool and make a neat shallow channel in the wall;
- lay the wires in the resulting hole;
- close the channel thin layer plasters, putties;
- let the solution dry;
- glue the wallpaper in its place.
If this method is not suitable, you can proceed without gating - use a decorative box for wires. It is especially common to cover power wires with boxes: they have large diameter, therefore, without repeated repairs, it will not be possible to recess them into the wall. It is necessary to buy a cable channel that is suitable in color, width, and length, which will serve as an additional decorative element and reliably protect the wiring.
In a wooden house, the box will enhance fire safety measures. This option is also ideal for the bathroom, because it is very difficult to lay wires under the tiles. It is only important to remember that all lighting elements, electrical wiring, and cable ducts must be waterproof.
How else to beautifully hide wiring on the walls? If desired, it can be covered with the following finishing elements:
- door frames;
- various moldings, baguettes;
- window slopes.
It should be noted that only low-current wires (for example, for the Internet, telephone) can be covered with such materials, and those located under high voltage cables can only be hidden in accordance with fire safety standards.
On the floor
Wiring is often routed along the floor, and here it is even easier to hide it than on the wall. During repairs when laying the screed, you can stretch the cables in a corrugated structure and fill them with cement on top - the communications will be reliable and durable. If flooring is already there, it’s easy to carefully remove it, punch out the recesses with a hammer drill, then drown the wires in them and cement them. Under wooden floors you will have to lay the cables in metal pipe, after removing the boards.
The stores offer a wide range of floor skirting boards with a hole for wires (with a cable channel). The central part of such a plinth is removed, the cables are laid in the niche, and then the removable element is returned to its place. Working with such skirting boards is convenient, quick, there is no dust, dirt, and the floor material does not deteriorate.
The procedure for laying wires under the most popular coating - laminate - is as follows:
- remove part of the lamellas under which the cable will pass, right down to the construction logs (bars);
- place the cables in the corrugated pipe along or across the joists, if necessary, cutting out space in the wood for the crossing of the wires;
- return the soundproofing pads and lamellas to their original place.
On the ceiling
It is also possible to hide wiring on the ceiling, but the method will depend on the type of coating. In homes and offices, suspended ceilings are often used, which take up excess space, but give the opportunity to route wires as needed by users. There are practically no obstacles for the cables, so it is possible to route them along the shortest path. This has a number of advantages:
- cost reduction;
- reduction of work time;
- reducing the overall circuit resistance;
- strengthening fire safety;
- possibility of easy wiring replacement.
According to fire safety rules, it is necessary to cover wires and bundles of them. corrugated pipes. Do the same with wiring under suspended ceilings, niches or complex structures from plasterboard. It is best to connect communications into a single highway, which will facilitate repairs in the future. If the ceiling is concrete, you will have to drill grooves in it and lay wires in the same way as is done on the walls. This method is very labor-intensive and is rarely practiced.
External camouflage
If they have an artistic taste, many people prefer to decorate rather than hide the wires. From standard wiring it is quite possible to make a real art object, painting, panel with your own hands. Typically, cables come in black or white, but if desired, you can find a material of a brighter shade.
Next, you should choose a drawing that suits the style of the interior, sketch it with a non-greasy pencil directly on the wall. Afterwards, you need to measure the length of the circuit using a thread in order to purchase the missing amount of cable (part of it will only serve a decorative role).
You can use wires to make any wall pattern. Often the following are taken as a basis:
- branch with leaves, sitting birds;
- one or more trees;
- giant light bulb;
- power station;
- highway (in the nursery);
- decorative fence.
The wires are attached to the wall with special fasteners, which can then be decorated with any suitable material - fabric, special paper, designer jewelry. Also, ugly protruding wires are hidden behind high indoor plants, well-placed furniture, carpeting, door and window frames.
Hiding wires from TV and computer
Usually the TV is placed in plain sight, so the long cable from the equipment will also be visible to everyone. Most often, during repairs, they immediately determine a place for the TV, installing sockets behind it, and leading the wire out of the wall. It is recommended to carefully peel off the wallpaper, make a groove for the wiring, place it in the hole, drowning it in the corrugation. The wires are fastened using brackets.
Near computer desk There are almost always a lot of cables, because printers, modems, routers and other devices are connected to the system unit. To hide the “tangle”, you can do the following:
- attach the wires to the inner surface of the table with self-tapping screws, reliable tape, and staples;
- beautifully decorate a shoe box, a plastic box, cut holes and release wiring;
- sew a fabric cover, attach it to the table top or to the back of the furniture from the inside;
- connect the cables with office clips to the furniture;
- hide the wiring in a single “hose” that will prevent confusion.
In order not to get confused when masking the wires and not to get into trouble during repairs, they must be marked in advance. This will help you immediately find the right cable later. It is better to separate low-power wiring from power wiring, without connecting it into a single bundle. Wires from the antenna and the Internet should be placed separately from others so as not to spoil the signal quality.
Cables should be as short as possible and minimal amount connections: this increases their safety and reduces the risk of injury. It happens that the braid of hidden cables frays due to poor placement, so in dangerous places the wiring must be checked more often. If you need to mask wiring, you can use any ideas, especially since the range of tools and materials for decoration is now huge!
