DIY Outdoor Projection Screen

For this project, you’ll need an outdoor tarp with grommets, a drop cloth, construction adhesive and a wooden dowel. To install the screen, you’ll also need large hooks, eyehooks and two bungee cords.

The tools required are only a caulk gun, a drill, heavy duty scissors and needle and thread.

• Clear work area large enough to spread tarp and drop cloth out completely.
• Lay tarp out with inside surface facing up and smooth it out.

• Align the drop cloth on top of the tarp’s inside surface.
• Use the silver outline as a guide to keep it straight and between the grommets.

• Load a caulk gun with construction adhesive.
• Lift up one side of the drop cloth and dispense adhesive evenly onto the exposed tarp.
• Press and smooth out drop cloth over the tarp to adhere.
• Continue to glue the rest of the screen in the same manner.

• Measure up from the bottom of the screen to determine your desired length, and mark a cut point.
• Use heavy duty scissors and trim the screen to your desired length.

• Place a long bead of construction adhesive roughly four to five inches down from the side where you cut across.
• Lay a dowel across the screen above the glue line, then fold the screen edge over the dowel and adhere to construction adhesive.

Sew by hand along the glued edge for extra security.

Tip: Add waterproof sealant tape to the back to protect your stitches.

• Decide where you will hang up the screen. For stability, you will need to choose a location that will anchor the top and sides of the screen.
• Install two top hooks far apart enough for the projection screen to rest securely onto them.

• Install two eye hooks down below on either side of the area where the screen will be supported.
• Insert bungee cords into grommets of the tarp and then hook them into the eye hooks.
• Once the screen is stable, fire up the projector and start your movie night.

• To store the screen, roll it up from the top with the tarp side out.
• Use a piece of waterproof tape to secure the roll.

• The screen can be stored rolled, but to prevent warping, lay the roll flat rather than standing it on end.
• You can also store it rolled outside in the screen hanger. It should remain weatherproof.

Once you have set up your projection screen, add a projector, grab some snacks and get outside for a showing of your favorite films, TV shows or videos.