Mounting screen behind ceiling beam

[illtud]

Hi,

I'm looking for a screen that can be mounted onto, but behind a ceiling beam, so that it's hidden. Simple? Well, no, not that I can see. All the screens that I've seen can be wall or ceiling mounted, but what I'm looking to do is the equivalent of wall mounting, but then front projecting onto the side that's facing the wall. Hmm - let's try some ascii here, since most salespeople I've spoken to on the phone have taken quite some time to grasp what I'm after:

[FONT="Fixedsys"]

|         |
|         |----
| beam    |    |
|         |    |
|         |----
|         |  |
 ---------   |
             |
             |
 project     |
  onto       |
  here ->    |
             |
             |
             O

[/FONT]

The ceiling isn't load-bearing, so I can't mount to that. The only option I've come up with so far is an L-bracket on the beam and ceiling mount to that, but I'm wondering whether anybody's done this before, or knows of a screen that has mountings that can be configured the way I want them. Maybe there's plenty of answers out there, but my google-foo has failed me so far.

Thanks in advance!

[Badger0-0]

Welcome to the forums

So basically, you want to project to the back of the screen, is what you're saying?

I don't know much about screens and am working on the assumption that you think the screen is one sided (although I doubt it, seeing as you can rear project).

Even if that's the case, I wouldn't have thought it much of a problem to turn the screen round inside the container.

I'd be interested in the answer to this, too

[illtud]

Welcome to the forums

Cheers!

So basically, you want to project to the back of the screen, is what you're saying?

Well, that would be one way to do it but I'm not sure that would work - screens are either (from what I know, which is probably zilch) designed for front-projection, in which case the rear isn't suitable for projection (aren't they backed by light-absorbent stuff, so you don't get "leakage"), or rear-projection, in which case they're designed to maximize light diffusion on the front side? I'm guessing that if a rear-projection screen is just as good from both sides you're going to lose a lot of brightness.

I'd much rather just be able to reverse the mountings somehow.

Even if that's the case, I wouldn't have thought it much of a problem to turn the screen round inside the container.

Me neither, but then as a child I would always take things apart and not quite manage to get them together again...

It's the spring mechanism which I wouldn't be confident about, and how accessible are the containers to opening up? Anyone tried anything like this?

I'd be interested in the answer to this, too

Judging from the reaction I get from screen salesmen, it's not a common configuration! I'm sure people have done it before, but I'm damned if I know what to google for.

[Badger0-0]

I'd guess you haven't got an answer from the salesmen because it's out of the ordinary

Don't panic if you don't get an answer smartly, it can tend to go a bit quiet over the weekend.

I'll bet you get an answer on Monday, at the latest

Me neither, but then as a child I would always take things apart and not quite manage to get them together again...


I know what you mean

[bphhm]

Why don't you just mount the screen on the ceilling behind the beam?

You could also create a mechanical thing with some U iron that allows you to mount the screen the right way, if you get my point.

[carl1010_1]

you are probably sorted now but just use some strong L BRACKETS screwed to the beam at the correct hole cetres of your screen casing,
and use some small bolts through the SCREEN CASING holes that are for ceiling fixing and through the L BRACKETS..

[Otto]

Hi,

Why not just buy a screen with a symmetrical housing which can have the brackets inversed and which has the screen fabric come down from the front?

I am not sure which other makes have them, but our M-series fits this description and allows your type of installation without any DYI nor custom brackets.

If you want to go the DIY route, make sure they are sturdy!

Good luck,

Otto

[rich2000]

You could just use a ceiling mounted screen and hang it from long nails on the beam, this would save ytou neede to buy a special screen.

[cameronl]

hi, I originally had my 30kg stewart luxus model A tab tensioned screen attached to my ceiling that was not load bearing either.

I used 4 heavy duty metal wall wall/ceiling plugs that expanded once they were screwed in. I got them from homebase.

this worked fine for a couple of years unto I moved house.

have fun

CaM

[Fred Flintstone4]

Hi!

We supply reverse wound front (or rear) motorised projection screens. They are designed to go behind arches and beams with the projection surface as close as possible to the beam or wall. To achieve this the material exits the case at the edge of the case. We normally supply these to installers who are looking for something a little different for their clients. They have been installed in private homes and churches.

If you PM me with your details then I can give you an idea of costs and likely delivery times.