Second Build - To Enclose or Not To Enclose?

[cobig13]

A couple friends and I are building a setup in a 22x20 garage. I have a GC2, CCE Mat, Optoma 1080GT Darbee, and 10x10 archery net that I'll use for this build. The challenge of the space is that the garage has 11' tall ceilings but there is a joist that runs to the back of the garage that is 9.25' ft high. It won't interfere with swinging but we must work around it for the netting and screen. As you can see below in the pictures, we've built an overhead storage shelf that comes 10" off the wall and comes down to the beam. We've then attached slotted angle iron into the bottom leading edge of the frame. The frame for the top of the screen is 14 2/3' and it's 9.25' off the ground.

Now the questions:
1) I've ordered 3-6' ceiling mounted curtain tracks. Should I put these inside the edge of the frame and screen or outside? How would i best mesh them together? I'm hoping to get away from a caged enclosure and go with something that's a little easier on the eyes. Or should I enclose?
2) Should i mount 1" EMT to my ceiling frame and then use a foot pad to have it sit on the floor?
3) Any ideas for putting padding on the beam and installing a ceiling net? My push draw from 2013 would hit that beam with a wedge.
4) Any recommendations for how to deal with other potential issues? Electrical box? Hot water tank?

[gene438]

I'm a big fan of no enclosure, but I have 17' wide screen and I hit fairly close (8.5') to the screen. I like the clean look, especially for movies.

[wbond]

Im jealous every time you post that picture. Such a great looking space.

[gene438]

Thanks bond......just wish it would help my golf game a little more!!!!

[Solstice72]

Gene, Im building similar dimensions & doubling for theater purposes. This is inspiring. Don't the lumens get diluted at that size, how many lumens you have there? How do feel it does as a movie screen? Are you at 8 feet strictly because you can preserve the clean look? Thanks for your videos. Sorry if you've already answered these questions.

[cobig13]

I'm a big fan of no enclosure, but I have 17' wide screen and I hit fairly close (8.5') to the screen. I like the clean look, especially for movies.

That looks nice. Well done. How do you deal with a ball hit into the corner between your curtain and screen? Also, what would happen if you were to hit a flop shot? Or do you have a no flop rule?

[gene438]

I can hit a full wedge without hitting the ceiling. If I try to, I can flop a shot and hit the ceiling, but I have to really try. Honestly, after seeing the launch angles of the pros, I have need trying to hit lower angle wedges. I have hit the ceiling twice and just pulled out the spackling and paint. I have hit the side curtains 2 or 3 times and the curtains slow the ball down quite a bit. There is the original garage door behind the screen so it made quite a sound, but no harm. Again, I like hitting closer to the screen than most people, it doesn't hurt my screen, I have zero bounce back and my wedges hit the screen before the ceiling.

[Linkslover]

Gene, how did you mount the screen to the ceiling? I am also debating between enclosure and simply hanging my screen, but at this point leaning toward hanging. I'm thinking of simply using hooks in the ceiling and some sand bags at the base.

[gene438]

Look at the attached video. I tried showing how the screen was hung. I basically have two side and one top frame made of EMT which I attach the screen to. The emt is attached using foot and ceiling mounts like these:

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=5446

Video is here: https://youtu.be/KeI5FihzAeU

[cobig13]

I ended up not enclosing. I'm using slotted angle iron for top of screen and anchored EMT to top frame for sides. I have curtains inside the ends of the frame to stop shanks and give a finished look. I put up Carls lower end screen in front of an old screen and archery net.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do with a ceiling here to stop wedges and give a more finished look? How could I put plywood up for a false ceiling? Not much to attach it to.

[Bigmean]

I brought out the enclosure only like 30" past the screen to shade light and catch. I love having no sides or any enclosure, clean look, as said above great for movies. even if I hit a hoesl rocket it still has another foot of screen to go before Missing it so I think enclosures are really overrated for safety. Obviously that said, don't enclose at your own risk, but no enclosure is so much cleaner and at what I think is little risk.

[wbond]

I agree, I like the no enclosure as well. All depends on how wide setup is and how far back you are hitting. I've hit many a hosel rocket and mine all still hit the screen.

[Solstice72]

I'm a big fan of no enclosure, but I have 17' wide screen and I hit fairly close (8.5') to the screen. I like the clean look, especially for movies.

Gene, Im building similar dimensions & doubling for theater purposes. This is inspiring. Don't the lumens get diluted at that size, how many lumens you have there? How do feel it does as a movie screen? Are you at 8 feet strictly because you can preserve the clean look, it obviates the need for ceiling protection? Thanks for your videos. Sorry if you've already answered these questions.

[gene438]

Hey 72solstice,

not sure of your question, but at 8-9 feet, you do in fact eliminate the need for ceiling protection. I can try hit a flop shot and graze the ceiling, but for the most part, the ceiling is safe. As far as dilution, etc. I see none. I use an optima 1080 with 16:9 ratio. I love hitting that close to the screen. To me it gives me more of a surround screen feel instead of hitting into an enclosure..... Oh, I believe the optima has 4700 lumens....and I am not really an expert on video, but I can tell you the movies look fantastic...I have never had a problem with this projector.

[cobig13]

Gene's setup is fantastic and should be looked at by many as a good example in building their own. However, I would have to disagree that ceiling protection is eliminated if you're hitting from 8 to 9 feet. If you're like most, you'll have golfers of different skill levels and trajectories play on your simulator. Also, in the course of playing an actual round of golf, you'll typically be required to get the ball high in the first 8 to 9 feet of a shot. Full shots may not.