How to mount a projector screen to the ceiling?

[dannyrus]

Hi everyone,

A lot of questions with this one - I have a projector screen that I want to mount to the ceiling, it came with brackets and screws.

I've had a bit of a "knock" around the ceiling, and can't hear whether there are joists or not, everywhere I've knocked sounds hollow.

Specs for the screen say it's about 7.5kgs.

First question: What's the most reliable way to determine what's up inside my ceiling that I can connect it, and

Second question: What are the options for mounting it?

A photo of my ceiling is attached (marking out roughly where the screen will go) but I'm not sure how helpful the photo is... It's a Sydney apartment that was built in the mid 90s.

Thanks so much for any help!

Cheers, Danny.

[AlanM52]

Hi @dannyrus,

Tip: When you are tapping use the other hand to push against the plasterboard.

I will presume you don't have a roof space and that someone is living above you.

Your best bet is a stud finder.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?page=1&q=stud+finder&sort=BoostOrder

Use masking tape to avoid pencil marks on the ceiling.

Can you lay out the hardware and take a photo so we know what it looks like and work out the mounting options.

Cheers

[EricL]

Hello @dannyrus 

It's great to see you've got another project going. I'm very interested in the type of screen you've purchased and the model of the projector your going to use. It's great that you've received excellent advice from @AlanM52. I also suggest having a look at this guide - How to use a stud finder. I currently have the Ryobi Stud Finder With AC Detection RYSF5003, it's easy to use and is very accurate. If your thinking of investing in a stud finder this would be a great unit to begin with.

I propose installing a 140 x 30mm 2.4m DAR Rectangle General Purpose Pine or similar to the timber frame of your ceiling. Your goal is to anchor the board to at least three of the ceiling studs. The screen can then be anchored to pine timber. This will save you from having to use anchor points on ceiling plasterboard. If you can spare a moment, I'm really interested at the type of projector you've invested in and would love to see a photo of it.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Prof for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @dannyrus 

Nice idea I do like the idea of a timber length being installed first and then attaching the projector to it. It will make for a much tider install. With the stud finder I couldnt find my timber supports (Turns out the plaster had dropped off the trusses by 25mm ish ) So keep that in mind, you could find the trusses elsewhere on the ceiling and then extrapolate out so you end up know where they are in the area you have marked out.

You could get up into the ceiling space to get an idea of the layout (If you have acess) I would turn off the power for the house while you are up there just to be safe.

I just had a thought, you will need to attach the projector to the ceiling maybe plus cabling if the projector dosnt have wirless/bluetooth, if you do you will need a power point installed. You could ask the sparky if they could take a photo of the rafters if you go that route.

Dave

[AlanM52]

Hi @Dave-1,

This is why I mentioned push against the wall/ceiling while tapping.

I mentioned the stud finder thing but have never owned or used one.

Cheers

[Dave-1]

Morning @AlanM52 

There was no way I could push the plaster upwards to shorten the gap 😕 If I had managed it I probarlly would have cracked the plaster roofing badly

I also have had no fun with stud finders 😕 They have helped me narrow an area down on a wall but I still have to work out via a process of elimination. Possible because I have an elcheapo stud finder

Dave