Par2Pro HQ Material

[wbond]

Hi, I have a couple questions regarding this material and i went through all the pages of the screen 101 thread and didn't see an answer.

1-Is there a recommendation of how many times you should fold over the material to create the border? Once, twice, etc? How wide should the hem be?

2-Has anyone used this material with grommets? Did you install them through just the single ply material or did you fold over and then install or possibly use a nylon webbing border and then the grommets? How has it held up? In the other thread, i saw two instances where people had sewn in the nylon strap material.

3-How important is it to get the top of the screen pulled tight? In my setup, i have a cable runner that i would hang the net from and then be able to get the sides pulled tight, but can't really do anything on the top.

4-Should I sew in a loop on the bottom to slide in a piece of conduit to help put tension on the screen from top to botton or is this not really necessary?

5-Has anyone went from PR20 to HQ and do you feel it was really worth it to upgrade? Supposedly skytrak is getting close with TGC which is why i am considering this?

[Craig118]

1. I had a quilt shop seam mine all around about 6 inches (fold over once). Makes for a good thickness if you are going to install brass grommets. Mine have held up well. Held up with small bungee cords.
2 See Above.
3. Tight is not good = bounceback. You want a slight slack all around to absorb impact.
4. See Above
5. TGC looks awesome with a 3600 lumen HD projector on the HQ screen.

[wbond]

Craig118 any chance you could take a pic of your screen to show the border and grommets?
I should have clarified "tight", I meant snug, just enough to get the wrinkles/waves out. I wasn't sure if you had to pull from the top and bottom as well or if the sides would be enough.
With TGC, it's going to take me getting a new machine so a new projector may be next year. My current one will probably have to do for this season.

[Hoosierdaddy]

I agree with Craig118 super tight is not good. But you have to keep the slop out of it also. You want it just tight enough to maintain a flat top. Then tension the sides just enough to keep the screen flat. On the bottom I had a pocket sewn in approx 1 foot from the bottom. I inserted a 5/16 solid metal rod into the pocket. It keeps the screen with just enough tension to hold it flat. then I had another pocket in the very end and ran a long bungee all the way through it. The rod hangs near the floor and the second pocket lays on the floor with the ends of the bungee screwed to the bottom pipe in my enclosure. I had an old net that I hung behind the screen and attached 1" memory foam to with cable ties here and there. I pulled the net tight so the foam is right up against the screen. Lets no light through and bounce back is minimal. Like I said I have had my screen for almost 5 years now. And I don't think you will find one any better. I have it home washing it now and I will say those ball stains from letting players play with dirty clubs are not as easy to get out as I had thought.

I folded mine over many times when it was hemmed. It is a real bear cat to punch the holes in. But on the bottom side the first year I had it I never had a hem put in I only folded over the material and put in grommets and it was also hard to punch holes in. I loosely bunged the bottom to keep tension and the middle grommet ripped out and the 2 outside of that began to so I took it back in had it hemmed with the pockets. Been great ever since. As soon as I get it back up I will show you what I did.

But there have been may ways this has been done here. Not sure how they all worked out. But this is the way I did it. Not saying it is right but it works for me.

[wbond]

Hoosierdaddy I would definitely like to see a pic when you put it back up. Sounds like it was along the lines of what i was thinking. I currently have the PR 20 and while it's a great screen, i think I will get a better image with this, just not sure if it's enough to warrant the upgrade. Its currently hung from a cable and then bungeed on the sides. I have an old net behind it as well just in case.

[Craig118]

Craig118 any chance you could take a pic of your screen to show the border and grommets?
I should have clarified "tight", I meant snug, just enough to get the wrinkles/waves out. I wasn't sure if you had to pull from the top and bottom as well or if the sides would be enough.
With TGC, it's going to take me getting a new machine so a new projector may be next year. My current one will probably have to do for this season.

Here you go. I guess my hem edge is closer to 3 inches.

[mthunt]

OP, I suggest you sew in loops. It's easy and less stressful than the gromets. When you put grommets, you are cutting the fabric thus creating a weak spot. Sew in loops means no weak spot. IMO. You can let the bottom hang. Keep in mind, the tighter, the more stress on the fabric. Only tight enough to remove wrinkles and add something behind. Mine has two king size 3 inch memory foam mattresses and a net behind the screen. It's 15.5 feet wide. It works great. Also be carefull the balls aren't scuffed as a 9000rpm screen shredding scuffed ball will ruin the screen. Mine has runners on the side covering the bungees. I just used black rubber carpet runners and cut them to size. Pics attached. As for the hem, you only need to hem to protect and cover the cut edge like any fabric so 1 inch folded twice. Use a ball point needle, zig zag thread and wooly nylon in the bobbin. No idea why the pics are upside down.

[bk1106]

1. Once, 4-6 inches. Hem sewing needs to be strong, or the sewing will break first from repeated stretching.
2. I also recommend webbing loops + bungie cords
3. I tighten the top cable as much as it will go by hand (fairly tight). Mine still has a slight sag but ok. A rather noticeable sag will not look good, that was the controlling factor for me.
4. I did my bottom loop but left it empty and the screen still looks pretty good thanks to the side bungie cords.
5. I started with the HQ material and recommend it. For TGC to look its best, you may need a 1080P projector. Hope this helps.

Also, I don't have any foam behind the screen, but chosen to leave an 18 in. clearance from the back wall. Works well for me.