I'm considering upgrading my living room by moving away from a traditional TV setup. Instead, I'm looking to install a motorized projector screen in the ceiling, ideally nestled between the floor joists. My plan is to create a discreet opening in the ceiling that shows just a black strip when the screen is retracted. Has anyone tried something similar or have design ideas? I'm also unsure about the orientation of my floor joists, which might affect this project.
4 Answers
Honestly, I've been hesitant about home projectors lately. With the price drop in big TVs, it's tempting to stick with those. Projectors can be a bit tricky—lighting has to be just right for them to look good. They do have that one upside where you can retract the screen when not in use, but is that worth it? Just something to ponder!
I tried something similar in my last house. I had a remote-controlled screen that dropped down, and the projector was mounted to the ceiling. Super cinematic experience! In another house, I hid the screen in the joist cavity, which was a neat look but also required some tweaking to keep everything aligned. Sounds like an awesome project—keep experimenting with the tech, as it's even gotten better in recent years!
If you're open to alternatives, ultra short throw projectors are a great option! They can sit on a table and project directly onto a wall without needing to be mounted from the ceiling. Way easier to set up and you won't have to deal with all the overhead installations.
In-ceiling screens are actually a real thing that's used by major manufacturers, but they can get pricey. If you're going the DIY route to save cash, just ensure you do it safely, especially regarding fire ratings in your ceiling. I’d recommend lining the joist space with 5/8 drywall to be cautious. Also, there's a variety of projector lifts you might want to look into!
Totally agree! Plus, with a retractable screen setup, you still get that clean look without a bulky projector hanging around.