[elmalloc]

Where can I get "theater" drapes that would fit 17ft wide (split curtains though, so ~8.5 ft wide each), and 170" tall for RELATIVELY cheap (under 2K, or even 1K if possible). Not just any curtains, something that looks like it's meant for theater..


I need to have light blocking material attached to it also, to block some windows.


Here are some images of my ideas for my theater. I was expecting to only to ever open them halfway to reveal a TV.

Thanks,

ELmO

 

[Suntan]

14' tall drapes that span 17' wide? You're looking for some hellishly large drapes my man.


How would you even open and close them? In addition, with light blocking black-out fabric sewn in the back, they will be so full that when they are slid open they will gather and bunch up so much that I fear they would still block most or all of the windows since the windows are located so close to the side walls.


I've got heavy weight, 100% light blocking drapes in my basement theater. The biggest one is 7.5' tall by 6.5' wide (covers a sliding glass door) and the thing is a monster. I had to make a custom rail for it out of reinforced steel tubing because the traditional heavy duty curtain rods at the home improvement stores just bowed too much in the middle.


I would suggest coming up with a different solution for blocking those windows. Perhaps individual drapes/blockers for each window.


In any case, as to where to find them, I would suggest looking around your area for any theater supply companies. Otherwise, have a look for anyone offering to do custom sewing work in your area. Drapes are pretty easy to sew, relatively speaking, so they should be pretty simple for someone with sewing capability. Whether they would want to take on such a large item is a different matter. Most bolts of apparel fabric come anywhere from 40 to 60 with most home decor fabric coming in at about 70 wide max, so you are going to have a seem in the middle of each curtain.


-Suntan

 

[Deane Johnson]

Challenges like this are fairly easy to solve, we do it all the time, but they cost money. More than 2K. Size doesn't matter much in this case.


In one view, you show a screen, in the other a TV. That raises the question of just how wide do the curtains open, etc. The reason I ask, it it's necessary to consider stack back room.


I have some other ideas on how to approach this room, but I don't want to try and cover every eventuality in this thread.


I don't like the idea of trying to make these light proof. Too much heavy blackout fabric to deal with. I'd rather see you use motorized remote control blackout cell shades, and non-blackout velvet for the draperies.


It appears you have other windows in the room that will have to be considered when blacking out the room.


Deane Johnson
[email protected]

 

[elmalloc]

Thanks for the help guys!


1) I mentioned I won't ever open them more than enough to view the TV, so I don't care about stackback width (unless it can't even open 2-3 ft on each side, HAHA!).


2) The screen is actually going to be IN FRONT of the curtains! I haven't completely figured this one out yet, but the TV would be behind the curtains, the screen would be in front of them - and it wouldn't get in the way. That's an entirely different project that we won't get into yet.


3) I saw on htmarket they have 20ft rods that support 110 lbs of curtain. It seems like I'll have more weight than that if I do this. Would it be possible to have 2 rods (split down the middle) instead of one, and support each half on its own rod?


4) The other windows on the side wall are not a big deal as I'm not projecting towards that wall. I've tested this and it's not something I'm considering right now because when there are no light sources behind my projection, (regardless of where windows are) it looks good.


5) I can still consider blocking only the windows with their own separate smaller (width wise) drapes. I was doubling the larger drapes use for having a non-white wall behind my screen (to help contrast ratio), and to have a cleaner look when doing movies (and I read that TVs behind projector screens can cause some minor reflection issues).


I am normally a bang for the buck guy, but that doesn't mean I wont spend money if I think it's worth it/quality.


I could do light blockign blinds, I went with levolars half light blocking for the bottom (as you can see) and it's not enough even at night (light sources outside).


But that in itself can get expensive. Let's say $300 per window for complete opaque. $1200 for 4 windows right there. Now curtains/rods. I'd rather get higher quality fabric/curtains with that money, since those will be visible 100% of the time. I don't plan to open the drapes enough to see those windows!


This room has 8 windows in it, it gets plenty of light during the day, and it's meant for theater usage at night and TV watching during the day.


Thanks!

ELmO