Instructions for a Projector Screen Installation
Home theaters featuring projector screens have become a popular fixture in homes throughout America. Installing a projection screen is pretty simple, but if you have one of the projection screens that rolls up when not in use and must be pulled down before watching, there is added risk for damage to the projection screen. Fortunately, technology permits the installation of a more permanent projection screen that eliminates this risk and the installation is a task you can do yourself.
Projector Kits
Purchasing a projection screen kit is an easy installation method. This kit comes with paint-like material in three individual bottles. You'll need to purchase a paint roller, a paint pan, and a drop cloth to complete the installation once you have the kit in hand. First, set up your projector wherever you would like it to go. Turn on the projector and project the picture onto a wall where you would like the screen to be. With the picture still projected onto the wall, mark out the picture on the wall making sure to keep the edges completely flat and even. Once the edges are marked out on the wall evenly, turn off the projector. Place painters tape around the measured edges of the wall. Once the area for the screen has been taped off, begin to paint the projection screen onto the wall following the projection screen kit manufacturer's instructions. Typically this means prepping the wall for the screen to ensure the surface is flat with no blemishes, applying two coats of primer and then applying a specialized mixture that dries to create the correct projection screen surface.
Once the screen has been painted and is dry, you can remove the tape and begin the second part of the process, which involves building a frame around the outside of the projection screen. The frame should be painted black to absorb the light and create the desired end affect. The frame can be as fancy or as plain as you want it to be. Often molding sold at home improvement stores painted in flat black works to frame out the projection screen. When finished, the projection screen should look like a framed picture on the wall when the projector is on.
Standard Paint
Generally projector installation kits, like the kit described, can be a little on the pricey side. However, a kit is not essential to create the projector screen. In fact, you can get nearly the same affect with regular paint, some paint rollers, masking tape or painter's tape and a paint pan from the hardware store. Follow the same instructions for setting up your projector and marking the wall for the screen and then choose the correct color for the screen. Surprisingly you should avoid using white. Although white seems like the optimal choice, a white screen will actually wash out darker colors and distort the projection. Instead, use a light shade of gray in a semi gloss or satin finish.
Avoid using a gloss finish because this creates a glare on the picture. Be sure to use a good quality roller to apply the paint for the screen and avoid painting unevenly. Once the paint is dry, you can remove the tape and build the black frame around the projection screen the same as you would with the first method.
Care And Maintenance
These types of projection screen require very little care of maintenance. They are unable to receive rips and tears like the retractable projection screens that many people purchase. The most care they require is an occasional dusting every now and then to keep the picture sharp and clear. The only other maintenance that is required is repainting the screen if the wall where the screen is painted becomes scratched or damaged in some way.
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