Screens and speakers are where indoor kit meets outdoor conditions. A television that is perfectly happy in a lounge can struggle in an unheated shed that drops close to freezing and gathers condensation overnight.
Check the operating conditions
Every television and speaker has a manual that states the temperature and humidity it is designed for, and often separate figures for storage. Read them before buying. An enclosed, insulated bar with some background heat is a very different environment from an open-fronted counter.
If the equipment will be exposed to weather, look for products designed and rated for outdoor use. Keep the IP rating in mind: it tells you how well an enclosure resists dust and water. Our festoon lights guide explains how IP ratings are read.
Placement
- Out of direct rain and sun. Even an outdoor-rated screen is easier to watch in shade.
- Away from the serving area, so drinks are not splashed on it.
- Secure fixing into the frame, not just thin cladding.
- Where everyone can see it. The sports bar guide covers sightlines.
Power and cables
Plan sockets for the screen, any streaming device and a speaker system with the electrician as part of the garden bar power plan. Hide cables in trunking or behind panels so they are not trip hazards or trapped in doors. Avoid trailing extension leads from the house.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi often fades at the bottom of a garden. Test the signal where the screen will go. Mesh systems, a wired connection installed alongside the power or a powerline adapter can help, depending on the house. Ask the electrician about a data cable while trenches are open.
Speakers and sound
- Small speakers inside a closed building go a long way.
- Outdoor speakers should be designed for outdoor conditions and fixed securely.
- Point sound towards your own house and seating, not across the fence.
- Keep the volume sensible, particularly late in the evening.
The neighbours and noise guide explains how councils deal with complaints about noise.
Security and winter storage
Expensive electronics in a garden building are a target. Keep them out of view from outside, fit decent locks and consider bringing portable kit indoors over winter. Check whether your home insurance covers items in outbuildings; see garden bar insurance.
A simple test
Before mounting anything permanently, run the set-up for an evening with a temporary arrangement. You will learn about glare, sound levels and signal far more quickly than from any product listing.