New build - advice on curtain rail screen

[ce2]

Hi all!
Obligatory new to forums, long time lurker. Have worn the better half down to the point where I've started ordering all the major gear and will do the trims when screen/mat/projector/launch monitor are in place! (Detais of rest of build at bottom).

What I'm struggling with is how to mount the screen. I'm converting the single car garage but it has to be as "pack away" friendly as possible. Room dimensions are 5.6m deep (4.5m usable) by 2.9m wide by 2.74m tall on the nose. For those on the other side of the world, that'd be 15ft deep, 10ft wide and 9ft tall. I'm acutely aware this is probably the absolute smallest size for a sim but am personally confident it'll work (maybe the occasional ceiling hit with taller mates, but at 6'1 I can get full driver swing). Given the short height of the room, and packaway requirement, I was planning on anchoring some curtain rod fittings to the side walls as high up as possible, and using bungies when the sim is in use on the walls with a slight floor overhang to avoid through hits.

I've got a 9ft square screen coming from Carl's with finished edges, so need a strong bar that's thin enough to support the whole weight between the two side walls.

Has anyone done this before or can otherwise suggest a better approach? I'm reluctant to use ceiling mounts because the studs aren't in accessible spots relative to where the screen needs to be and, though the ceiling is around 4cm (1.5inch) thick, I'd rather use the brick walls so I know nothing will come crashing down.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Other build specs:
- Carl's preferred impact screen (9ft sq)
- CC int'l premium turf mat
- Skytrak + case
- Not purchased yet, but projector looking to be Benq MH733 on a high shelf on back wall of garage (sim hits towards roller door)
- Floor padding with overplayed astroturf
- Ceiling / wall padding of foam (haven't decided which yet, help here is very welcome too!)

Otherwise in time I'll also build a bit of a fixed lounge/storage unit at the back for a guest or two to chill on during multiplayer sessions.

Thanks in advance!

[alexkup3]

Hey ce2,

I am about to install my rail system that I got from https://www.strip-curtains.com/proCa...seCurtains.php

Hope this helps!

[soupy]

i bought mine from here http://peaksonline.net/black_industrial_curtains.html

[ce2]

Thanks guys, I've ended up with a bit of a hack DIY method that I'll only get to see how it works when my skytrak system comes next month. Because I wanted to avoid using the ceiling for any mounts or brackets, I've opted to go for a 30mm round post hang between 2 90 degree brackets, where the bracket will insert into the circular post. I'm not convinced the post will hold its shape under the weight of the screen but am hopeful. All the gear for the screen mounting cost me under $100 AUD (about 70USD), so no biggie if it doesn't work out. That cost includes bungee ball straps and eye mounts for the walls to secure them against.

Starting to build the room out right now (after a bit of cleanup) so hope to be able to post pictures in about a week when the screen will have arrived!

[ce2]

Bit of an update in case any lurkers out there were wondering the same thing about building between two existing solid walls. Installed the rail today by fixing one shelving bracket as high as the wall would allow, then cutting a hollow post down to size, inserting it into the fixed bracket with another one loose in the other end and fixing that to the wall too.

This will allow me install bungee cords along the top which I can use as a means of sliding the net across when needed. Will put bungees on the sides and hide them behind triangular foam pillows as wall protection.

Photo shows the space I've got to use. You can just see the pole at the top in front of the wood panel gas protector. I was going to remove that but decided against after I saw a loose wire or two in there along with the gas pipe. 1970s safety right there.

Screen and projector arrived today too. Will put the screen on and mount in the coming evenings and hopefully later this week after hours or early this weekend I'll knock out the cabinet to install shelving and seating. Apologies for the mess everywhere in the photos!

More photos to come as the build gets closer to being completed!