Do It Yourself Installation

Outdoor Weather Application

Many people are used to having music in the kitchen, the garage or in the family room. But have you ever considered having sound out by the barbeque, the pool or out on your deck? Not only does this eliminate having to carry your boom box all over the place, but there are a few extra benefits to adding a pair of speakers outside:

Seating area

• It's a great way to add value to your home.
• Properly placed, outdoor speakers will provide a much more even sound throughout your yard — no more blasting the radio to hear it out by the pool.
• Outdoor speakers are designed with the elements in mind — no more forgetting the radio out in the rain or worrying about it getting stolen.
• No more wires, cords or any other messes to trip over — you can even use some remote controls outside.

Things to consider when selecting outdoor speakers:

• Many outdoor speakers are designed to blend with your exterior. Some have white housings, are a very small size or even designed to look like rocks or planters. Keep in mind where they will be placed when making your selection.
• Many outdoor speakers can be detached from their bracket if you want to take them inside during a harsh winter or if you go on vacation. You can also use a wire connection called a "banana plug" to easily disconnect the speaker wires.
• Consider where you want to use your speakers — will you be near the house or will you need sound out by a pool? You may need more small speakers instead of fewer large ones, depending on the layout of your yard. (Also, water is an excellent conductor of sound - a pool will carry sound much further when it is undisturbed by swimmers. Remember this for your neighbors' sake!)

When running your wires:

• Most of the same tips for wiring speakers indoors apply to outdoor installations. The main difference is the type of wire used. Make sure the wire you use is rated to handle temperature changes and can be run outside.
• If you need to run wires to a distant part of your yard, you may need to trench your wire to your speaker location. There is a type of wire classified as Direct Burial for this application. While this is pricier than traditional speaker wire, it is the only way to properly run wires underground. Make sure your wires are buried in accordance with all local ordnances. Different states have different rules about the required depth and methods of burying wire.
• Make sure you take the time to properly seal all entry points where your wires are run into the house. All-weather sealant is a great way to eliminate costly leaks in your house.
• It's usually best to tackle these projects earlier in the spring or summer. Waiting until the cooler months will make wire and siding stiffer and harder to work with.