A night at the movies is not inexpensive. With the high ticket prices, not to mention the popcorn and M&Ms, this typical family adventure may easily break the bank. Avoiding extra expenses I actually developed an outside alternative—a backyard “large screen”— out of a few simple things that were perfect for exhibiting fan-favorite films all season long. With the help of a few things, I’m going to guide you on how to hang a projector screen outside in your backyard.
How to Hang a Projector Screen Outside?
In order to hang a projector outside and enjoy pleasant weather in your backyard, all you need is a portable inflatable movie or projector screen apart from these, You may also hang your projector screen on your wall or just below your roof, supported by awnings or gutters, like a picture frame. However, for simplicity of removal, it’s recommended to hang it on a large wall.
This article will show you how to drill into your nearest wall or find other sources of support, such as ropes and hooks at surrounding trees and posts, to hang your 100-inch or so cinema screen. For good measure, you’ll also learn how to hang it without drilling.
The portable outside hanging screen, on the other hand, just requires that you first inflate it before hauling it upright. The SmartBox AV Control System, for example, should take care of the majority of the work. When the going gets tough, you may inflate it like a raft and set it up like a pagoda.
HOW I SET UP A PROJECTOR SCREEN BEHIND MY BACKYARD:
At first, I started my search for a low-cost digital projector for super-sized presentations on eBay. (On the internet, used ones in good condition are for as little as $10!) And then ordered a large panel of screen fabric from Amazon for around $40, though a canvas drop cloth or thick white curtain would suffice in a hurry.
And then used what I had in my backyard for the stand: two trees that faced one other, ideal for putting out a projection screen, hammock, or clothesline. Of course, clever homeowners without a couple of trees may substitute anything sturdy and available such as a fence post or deck railing for the trees.
I built a rectangular frame out of 14 boards after calculating the aspect ratio I needed for my screen and what it meant in terms of size. And then stretched the cloth tight over the frame and stapled it in place for a smooth, wrinkle-free viewing surface first across the top and bottom, then the sides, and finally in the corners.
The lightweight frame is suspended from a curtain-hanging wire suspended between the two tree trunks thanks to three screw hooks affixed to the top.
And after that, I drilled an eye bolt into each trunk a few inches lower than the base of the screen, put a set of bungee cords through them, and anchored the cables to the bottom corners of the frame as an added precaution against windy days.
Once everything was secure, I went back to enjoying blockbuster entertainment, now in the comfort of my own private theater without waiting in long lines and disturbing loud teenagers.
PRICE INSTRUCTION:
If you are not willing to go for a low-cost projector screen You should expect to pay roughly $200 for a portable inflatable screen.
However, if you go for a smaller screen that is under 100 inches in size, you should be able to get one for less than $100. For more picky cinephiles, erecting a permanent screen on your lawn is a better alternative.
Given the amount of drilling and mechanical installation required, this should cost you roughly $1,000 or more.
STEP BY STEP instructions on How to Hang a Projector Screen Outside:
Step 1: Determine the size of your screen
Measure the height and width of your house’s widest outer wall. Because not all films are made in wide format, I would advocate maximizing both height and breadth. If your screen is barely broad enough, you can wind up screening an older square format film on half of the screen.
I started with the dimensions of our garage’s rear, which are 12′ wide and around 8′ high.
Step 2: Things you will need:
The screen is hung on a 1″ PVC pipe top and bottom frame. To make my pipe more portable and easy to store, I had it cut into 3′ lengths. A pipe can be cut using a hacksaw at home, but most hardware stores will do it for a minimal cost.
You’ll also need straight couplings to join the lengths, caps for the ends, and snap clamps to secure the screen to the bottom piece, in an addition to the pipe for the top and bottom of the screen.
You can use:
- 8 X 3′ sections of 1″ PVC pipe
- PVC pipe couplings, 6 x 1″
- PVC pipe end covers, 4 x 1″
- PVC snap clamps, 10 x 1″
HARDWARE YOU NEED TO HANG PROJECTOR SCREEN:
Hooks to hang the frame from
D-Ring Hangers
Reusable Fastening Cable Straps with Buckle Variety
Projector Screen Mounting Hook Projection
Step 3: Put the frame together and test itThe pipe is simply crimped together using pressure. Hang from a hook fastened into the eaves with a D-ring beneath each cinch strap. Test the frame at least once and make a note of the straps and parts for future reference.
Step 3: Put the frame together and test it
The pipe is simply crimped together using pressure. Hang from a hook fastened into the eaves with a D-ring beneath each cinch strap. Test the frame at least once and make a note of the straps and parts for future reference.
Step 4: Screen
The screen is made of a rubber-coated blackout shade cloth that measures 54″ wide. To save the added step of cutting it at home, I had two 4-yard sections cut at the fabric store. There was no cost involved with this.
Step 5: flat fell seam
With no visible raw edges to contend with, the flat fell seam is sturdy and long-lasting. For little damage to the fabric’s surface, parallel seams are sewn along both sides of the folded part.
Because the shade fabric is slick and flexible, and pushing large amounts of material through a home sewing machine is a hassle, stitching this was the most challenging aspect of the screen.
TIPS YOU MUST FOLLOW:
- AVOID SLIPPAGE:
Pin well—the better your pins are, the less sewing slippage you’ll have.
- WHAT TO USE?
Use a size 70 or 80 needle and white polyester thread. Make sure your needle is brand new and sharp; going through this fabric will quickly dull it. After you’ve completed the craft, throw away the needle.
- ADJUSTMENT AND FOOT PRESSURE:
As needed, change your stitch tension and foot pressure.
- SLOW AND STEADY
Sew slowly, keeping an eye out for fabric slippage.
See also: How to fix projector screen curling
Step 6: Construct a Casing
Wrap the top edge of the screen around the coupler to measure the casing (the widest part of the top frame piece). My 1-inch PVC casing was 2-1/2″ wide. To make a tube through which to slip the frame, pin and sew a straight thread. After that, place your top frame piece on top of the casing and cut openings for the D-rings to go through. These cut portions may be folded under like this.
Step 7: Hang Your Projector Screen
The screen is now complete and ready to be hung!
Insert the completed frame into the shell, then secure the cinch straps and D-rings in the holes you created. We discovered that putting the screen on a table and having two persons raise the ends at the same time was the simplest method to hang it.
When the top frame is in place, use snap clamps to secure the bottom frame to the screen. In the event of a sudden breeze, you might wish to secure the bottom of the screen with weights or ties.
Make Your Own Self-Made Movie Screen with This DIY Project
Instead of paying $200 to $1,000 to have a projector screen installed, you can create and hang your own for as little as a penny. If you’re handy with do-it-yourself home repair chores, you may opt for a low-cost screen installation instead.
STEP–1: START PAINTING AND HANG A PIECE OF TARP:
Paint a wall or fence white so that you can use it to screen movies on your projector. Even better, buy screen paint that reflects light better, but that will cost you. Alternately, hang a piece of tarp or bed sheet on the clothesline, fence, or wall as your screen material.
STEP–2: SCREW FRAME FROM PVS PIPE:
The fabric material should be stretched over a frame made from wood. You can also weld or screw together a frame from PVC pipes. Purchase an affordable black-out curtain. This should be hung on the backside or the white side of your frame facing your projector.
STEP–3: HANG FABRIC ON ROLLER SHADE:
You can also avail of black-out fabric backing at the craft store. This should be hung over the fence or stretched across your frame.
There’s also the option of hanging white fabric onto a roller shade hung from the inside rafter of your home. You can now pull down your projector screen like roller-type blinds.
You can use a roller blind as a projector screen if you follow our detailed instructions set in the given article.
STEP–4: PAINT CANVAS:
The canvas should be painted white as well if not silver or some other super reflective color using projector screen paint. Afterward, hang it onto your fence or wall. Butcher paper can also be taped to the wall or fence.
Otherwise, attach to your frame or wall vinyl panels that you can avail of at your local home improvement store. They’re used mostly for bathrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I mount a projector outside?
A projector is necessary to complete any home theater viewing experience, and outdoor home theaters are no exception. Outdoor projectors can be installed on just about any outside wall or patio ceiling in your backyard. A throw is the distance that the projector needs to be from the movie screen.
Where should I put my projector screen outside?
The best option is to place your projector and screen in a shaded area (or partially shaded at the least), which may be either under a tree or on a covered patio. If you’d like to read more about lumens, what they are, and why they matter, be sure to check our separate guide on the subject.
How do you mount a projector on the side of the house?
We simply used a hammer and a couple of nails to affix our screen to the siding on our house. You can do the same if your home is brick, just make sure to use masonry nails. Nothing fancier than that. It’s easiest to hang with two people so that one person can hold the fabric as the other person hammers.
FINAL REMARKS
If you can afford it, your outdoor home cinema will be on par with a commercial drive-in theatre, but it will fit in your backyard and allow you to sit in the comfort of your own house. Your at-home theatre will undoubtedly be the envy of your neighbors, but it will undoubtedly be costly.
Painting the wall with reflective paint for screening purposes or putting up a tarp to act as your projection screen are your cheapest alternatives. Installing a retractable or permanent projection screen with the help of expert installers is one of the more expensive solutions.