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Screen stretching idea....

367 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by dhanson, Aug 21, 2001

BrianMat

Discussion Starter · Aug 15, 2001

I just picked up the Lowe's $49 104"x80" blackout fabric (one piece). I am looking at ways to stretch this over a frame.

Now, as a wandered through the aisles, I stopped by the carpet section. The crazy idea went through my head to use the carpet tack strips around the frame. This would let me stretch the fabric in all directions without using staples until the very end. Now, the small strips with the angled teeth would still be large for the thin fabric, but if this is covered with the felt/velvet/Swahili Black Rabbit Fur coverings and matting then it should not make any difference.

I have not seen this mentioned as a method, so that leads me to believe that I am missing something very obvious.

Let me know where I went wrong or if this will work and it is a "common knowledge" technique.

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TGroom

· #2 · Aug 15, 2001

It is not that hard to just stretch it and staple it down. I personally wouldn't go through all the trouble of carpet tack strips, I think it will be more trouble than it is worth. Also you might run into trouble with the size of the "teeth" ripping the fabric?

Tim

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UpStreamDown

· #3 · Aug 16, 2001

I garnered this link from this forum awhile ago, I hope it helps...

http://www.rexart.com/stretching.html

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UpStreamDown
[email protected]

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jeffelliott

· #4 · Aug 16, 2001

I'm really interested in this fabric if it is one-piece. Do you know it's name, description, Lowe's department location, UPC or any other information that would help me locate it at Lowe's?

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BrianMat

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 16, 2001

Hey Jeff, I am actually in Huntersville - just up the road from you.

I got this from Lowe's exit 25 in Huntersville. I have not seen this in all of them, but here goes the specs:

TLC Blackout

Made by Roc-Lon www.roc-lon.com/tlcad.htm

$49.95 for the 104"x80" panel

NOTE: There are two packages marked for this size. Get the one that has in the lower right corner:

Single patio panel

(yes, it is underlined)

This was on an endcap display in the drapery aisle. The package will say "contains two panels", but the patio panel only contains one. I just pulled it out of the package and checked it.

It looks to be good so far and I do not see any seams except for the finishing seams. Looks like a great price for a single cut of fabric and this will make a big screen.

Brian

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dhanson

· #6 · Aug 17, 2001

Upstream: Thanks for that link! As luck would have it, I was about to stretch my screen today, and wasn't quite sure how to go about it. After reading your link, I followed those instructions and it worked like a charm. Not so much as a wave or a ripple in my new screen. Thanks!

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FFEJ

· #7 · Aug 17, 2001

I've been looking at this stuff and noticed someone on ebay is selling 105x80 panel for $20. I sent them an email and they said it was seamless and the flaws would be minor.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1265071197

[This message has been edited by FFEJ (edited 08-17-2001).]

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BrianMat

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 17, 2001

Yep, that is it. The exact same stuff that Lowe's is selling.

Instead of stretching, I was planning on using screen railing. Lowe's and HD sell a plastic screen frame that is screwed into wood. It has a cap that covers the screen rail. This is primarily used for screening large areas such as porches and sunrooms. The cost is only $3.25 per 8' section (plus spline). Seems to be a little more forgiving than stapling.

EDIT: Just noticed that the Ebay ones are marked as "slight irregular". The quote:

"SLIGHT IRREGULARS. Product may have minor cosmetic marks that will not effect performance of the blackout fabric"

I would spring for the $49 Lowe's version to be safe. Unless you are doing this as a simple test of course...Buyer beware.

[This message has been edited by BrianMat (edited 08-17-2001).]

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FFEJ

· #9 · Aug 17, 2001

Yea the irregular statement is the only thing holding me back. Even though I did email the seller and they said "Flaws would be minor and yes they are seamless. This is an interesting usage and I would be very interested in how it works for you as it is a market we are looking a pursuing." But what they consider minor and what I would consider minor might be two different things.

I think Lowe's might be worth the extra money in that you can return it if there happens to be something wrong with it. Too bad it's not listed online. Seems like some other people have used this spline idea. Let us know how it goes if you go this route.

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BrianMat

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 17, 2001

Well, if the painting, grass, equipment move, and SQL2TheMax conference material creation goes well then it looks like I will start putting this together this weekend. I see a week long project in this since I have so many other things going on.

I will take photos and let everyone know how it comes out.

Oh, the stuff can be professionally dry cleaned just in case it gets dirty.

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UpStreamDown

· #11 · Aug 18, 2001

dhanson - You're welcome http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

I love the old photos on that page...

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UpStreamDown
[email protected]

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AndyN

· #12 · Aug 21, 2001

Quote:

Originally posted by dhanson:
Upstream: Thanks for that link! As luck would have it, I was about to stretch my screen today, and wasn't quite sure how to go about it. After reading your link, I followed those instructions and it worked like a charm. Not so much as a wave or a ripple in my new screen. Thanks!

Did you use the canvas pliers or was good ole brut force enough?

Thanks,

Andy

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dhanson

· #13 · Aug 21, 2001

Just plain old finger power. I only stretched it about an inch in each direction. The tension seems just about right.

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