Painted screen vs laminate screen

[Harry Muscle]

I'm doing research for a new screen (for my Benq w100) and tiddler has been kind enough to supply me with tons of info from his research and even some customized recommendations, however, I just started reading up a bit on using laminate material (ie: countertop stuff) for screens and the idea sounds really interesting. Sounds even simpler (altough probably more expensive) than painting your own screen (especially since I wasn't planning on painting the wall, but a substrate). So how does a laminate screen compare to a painted screen. In my case the painted screen was going to be a slighly modified (as per tiddler's recommendation) Easy Flex 05 method using the Behr Flat Enamel #1850 and no poly (tiddler's recommendation can be found here: (http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...html#post41615)).

I'm especially wondering about ambient light performance, can I make a screen out of laminate that would perform better than the above mentioned painted screen? If so, which laminate should I be considering, etc. Btw, if you want a bit more details on my room layout, requirements, etc. check out this post: (http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...html#post41611).

Thanks for all the help ... I really like this forum.

Thanks,
Harry

[mechman]

Laminates are a bit simpler screen. Buy your laminate, cut to size, mount to frame, watch content.

Paint will be a bit cheaper as you only need a quart. And then you have to ask yourself if you're going to go with an off the shelf gray, a custom mix gray, or an advanced mix. Personally, the advanced mixes seem a bit tedious and time consuming when compared to off the shelf and custom mix. You still have to build the frame with the substrate. And then you have to roll or spray your screen.

I know that I hemmed and hawwwed for months before I decided upon Fashion Grey Laminate. You can see pictures of it all over this forum. To me the amount of work that was going to have to go into an advanced mix just wasn't worth it. I paid a very high price for my 5X8 laminate - $96.50 or $2.25 a square foot. Most folks are getting it for less.

Performance wise, it's probably a wash either way.

I plan on doing some comparisons by the end of summer. Right now I'm working on comparing Designer White Laminate to Fashion Grey with regards to ambient light. When that's done I'm planning on doing some reviews of professionally manufactured screens (as long as they'll send me some large samples - ). And then I will do a comparison between the paint mixes and the laminates. Unless my money tree dies...:raped:

One thing that I probably won't do is a comparison between any DIY method and the pros.

[mechman]

Harry Muscle wrote:

I'm especially wondering about ambient light performance, can I make a screen out of laminate that would perform better than the above mentioned painted screen? If so, which laminate should I be considering, etc. Btw, if you want a bit more details on my room layout, requirements, etc. check out this post: (http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru...html#post41611).

People have used Fashion Grey and Dove Grey. Platinum would be another possibility that no one has yet to try. Have you read the Laminate sticky? Keep in mind you made need a coating of Behr #780 Clear Matte Polyurethane to eliminate hot spotting.

I'm kind of in the same situation as you. My wife likes to read next to me if she doesn't like the show. Lights are almost always on at about 60-70%.

[Tiddler]

Harry Muscle wrote:

Thanks for the response. Btw, the reason why I was going to go with the FnEasy method is because of the fact that it's one of the simplest painting solutions I have come across so far. However, if there are better options that are just a simple and straight forward as FnEasy please let me know so I can continue my research.

You should look into the Neutral Grays and Simple Off the Shelf Solutions thread. There are several off the shelf paints from brand name paint companies that will work very well in ambient light situations. The ambient light screen shots from wbassett are as good as any I've seen posted anywhere.

[Harry Muscle]

Thanks for the suggestion tiddler ... btw, I started looking into the price of laminates in my area (Canada) and it's going to cost close to $100 which is making the painting idea look better and better even though it might be a little bit more work.

Thanks again,
Harry

[wbassett]

Yeah laminates are a bit more expensive in some areas. Those lucky enough to be living in Maryland have been able to get a 5x10 sheet for $50-60 which is almost insane compared to the cost in other areas.

The main pro's with the laminates are it's a one stop shop that performs exceptionally well. There is a direct comparison to several Carada screen samples in here, I'll find the post later, but one of the Carada samples virtually disappears and you can't tell where it stops and the Designer White screen starts... but it sounds like you want a darker screen for some ambient viewing, which would be Fashion Grey. For those that can't paint or don't want to paint their wall and want a screen larger than the typical and easily found substrates can provide, a laminate screen is an excellent choice.

If you're concerned about the cost factor that's understandable and we'll get you going with a paint, but I am actually curious about Whitestone now. If you would be willing and it doesn't cost that much for a quart, maybe you could break some ground with some live testing with it?!

No matter what though, we'll get you all the information you need and armed with what you need to know to make a well informed decision.