pj screen in the ceiling thread ?????????

carl1010_1 · 16-01-2007, 11:54 PM

sorry to be a pest

does anyone know or have bookmarked the thread where the the person had sunk there automated screen into the ceiling ..

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CaptainCook · 17-01-2007, 12:37 AM

Hiya,

I think there are a few people who have achieved this recently and posted pictures of their in-ceiling screen installations in this forum.

To get you started, here's a link to my recently completed install that contains a couple of images showing the screen tucked into the ceiling between the joists.

CaptainCook's work in progress

If I can be of any help, please feel free to shout.

CaptainCook

richard plumb · 19-01-2007, 10:53 AM

Hi

I'd appreciate some more info on how you installed the screen (pics too if you have them)

eg did you cut a big hole in the ceiling and then fill it somehow (how?) or just cut the exit slot then install from the room above? If from above, is it difficult to raise all the floorboards considering you'd need to do a lot considering they'd run against the joists?

CaptainCook · 20-01-2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard plumb

Hi

I'd appreciate some more info on how you installed the screen (pics too if you have them)

eg did you cut a big hole in the ceiling and then fill it somehow (how?) or just cut the exit slot then install from the room above? If from above, is it difficult to raise all the floorboards considering you'd need to do a lot considering they'd run against the joists?

Hi richard plumb,

My main concern was the ability to "service" or replace the screen without ripping apart the ceiling, or having to lift (as you pointed out) almost an entire bedroom floor. However, and just to warn you, I'll point out straight away that I think fitting from below is more awkward than tearing apart the floor above and dropping the screen into position.

As asked, here's the method I used:

Firstly, I still had to lift two boards next to each other in the bedroom, as I was adjusting the lighting circuit in the room below and also needed to run an HDMI cable to the projector at the back of the room.

With the two boards up, there was just about enough room to poke a torch and my head into the void to look along the length of the ceiling space between the joists to ensure no obstacles would get in the way of the screen (cables, heating pipes, noggins etc). Once satisfied that the space was clear, I drilled two small holes from the bedroom through the plasterboard into the room below to mark out the approximate position of the joists. This seemed easier than measuring the joist positions from the back wall and transferring the measurements downstairs.

With the two holes acting as a guide, I used them to mark out the opening to be cut in the plasterboard. I already had the dimensions of the screen, so I cut the hole just wide enough for the screen to be pushed up through the opening and long enough so that the screen would drop (stating the obvious!!) but still obscuring the ends of the projector casing. The hole was roughly 9.5cm x 200cm. The cuts were made with an old hand saw cutting about a foot out at a time to stop any bending or breakage of the edges.

At this stage it looked like this:

After getting the ceiling skimmed, it was then time to fit the screen.

At this stage ask someone to help you set the end stops on the screen, which are basically the screws that set the maximum up and down positions. Again, I knew the drop I needed, so we held the screen in the air and adjusted the screws until it stopped at the desired position. This saves having to keep taking the screen in and out of the ceiling to adjust the drop.

I then marked in the ceiling void where the screen fixings would need to go and then tried to screw in the fixings. Lots of twisted arms, dropped tools and swearing, but I finally had the screen in the hole.

The screen I bought uses eyelets that means it easy to hook up and take down. Also means you can level the screen, by adjusting the hooks.

After sorting out the electric cable, the only job left was to tidy up the edges of the opening by using some thin L shaped beading from one of the DIY stores. I mitred the corners to keep it as neat as I could and fixed it to the ceiling with the smallest amount of caulk.

Here's a close up of the end showing the trim:

Hope that answers your questions!

CaptainCook

richard plumb · 20-01-2007, 10:07 AM

thanks Captain!

so just to clarify, you put the fittings in from above by just lifting a couple of boards either end where they needed to go, than you pushed the entire screen assembly up through the ceiling and hook it onto the joists?
As you mentioned the gap was shorter than the whole screen, I guess you push one end in and along to make space for the other end?

rkb · 20-01-2007, 10:35 AM

Hello Carl- i had bookmarked this thread:

T8oo's Home Cinema

I have a ceiling mounted screen but am looking to recess it shortly during some renovations. The Forums are a great resource for inspiration and planning!

Cheers

rkb

CaptainCook · 20-01-2007, 2:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard plumb

thanks Captain!

so just to clarify, you put the fittings in from above by just lifting a couple of boards either end where they needed to go, than you pushed the entire screen assembly up through the ceiling and hook it onto the joists?
As you mentioned the gap was shorter than the whole screen, I guess you push one end in and along to make space for the other end?

Your method is what I should have done!!!!!!

Unfortunately, I put the fittings in from from below. In other words reaching into the hole in the ceiling and screwing the hooks into the joist. They were installed about 6-8 inches in from the end of the hole, hence the shouting and screaming!!! It can be done, just vey difficult stood on steps with both arms trapped in the ceiling!!!

The two boards I lifted in the bedroom were about half way along the length of the screen (this is where the HDMI cable was installed and I was focussing on that rather than the screen). In hindsight (and us you have already spotted), I should have lifted another board at either end of the screen to make the job that much more easier.

You are spot on about having to push the screen along the void to squeeze it in.

That's what great about these forums, you take an idea and improve on it.

richard plumb · 20-01-2007, 2:12 PM

thanks captain.

you didn't have any issues with filling the hole back in again? or did you just leave a gap the thickness of the screen housing and just clad it? Looks narrower in your pics.