Like I have said before, I started out using my projector on the side of my camper, but we had to sell the camper when we moved. Admittedly, it was a pretty expensive screen! My new house didn’t have a large plain wall suitable for displaying movies on. My garage door was too textured and I was starting to think all was lost. I live down a lane and noticed there was a large fence that ran along the drive…definitely some potential there. I didn’t think my neighbors would mind if I painted it white, but I didn’t really want to paint the whole fence. There had to be a cheaper option available that would also require less time. Blackout cloth is used to line curtains so that they Blackout the sun. They tend to be a little fuzzy on one side and then smooth with vinyl on the other side. This smooth side with the vinyl is perfect for showing films on. It can be found at most fabric stores and even in expensive Hawaii, I was able to buy it for $7-8 a square yard. I was able to buy a DIY grommet set at the same store. However, I would recommend going to a hardware store for the grommet set, the craft store one is too flimsy.
Movie on my Blackout Cloth Screen
I laid out the screen and installed a grommet at each corner and then one grommet in the middle of the long sides, for 6 holes total. Then I went to the fence and installed 6 screws to mount the screen on. The screen was a little low, but when sitting in beach chairs on the drive it was perfect. I am not exactly the king of precision either, so there were a few wrinkles, but it worked alright. For ~$50 I made a 110” screen.
My grommet install hasn’t fared all that well, but I have kept this screen around. Sometimes we travel with it, because with a few thumbtacks I can setup a screen almost anywhere.
PROS:
Affordable for the size
Easy to store
Mobile
Fairly Durable
CONS:
No rear projection
You have to assemble it yourself
Tends to get a bit dirty