The Dangers of a Fireplace For a Projection Screen

With a fireplace in the room, you have thescreen of course. The second issue, heat, doesn't
perfect place for a screen. From the perspectiveneed to be a big one.
of the room's layout. There's no need toIt all depends on how close the screen will be to
rearrange the room / seating to accommodatethe fire. In other words, the intensity of the heat.
the screen.In general projection screens perform better in a
Two things make the placement of a projectionwarm than in a cold environment. I have seen
screen near an open fire less ideal.more than a few screens that look horrible when
The one that would concern me most is smoke.they come straight out of storage. After half an
Heat would be a concern too, though to a lesserhour or so, they look great. That's when the
extent. I'll explain that later.fabric is at room temperature.
I have had a woodburning stove in my house forWith intense heat, it's a different story though.
many years. With a nice big mirror above it. WhenThe fabric will melt or deform. This should be
we built an extension, the stove was taken out.avoided, because it's irreversible.
And so was the mirror. What remained was aSo how do you know whether your projection
bright spot on the wall, where the mirror hadscreen will be at risk? Simple, light a fire in the
been. The surrounding area was completelyfireplace.
discoloured.Then, after an hour or so, hold your hand in the
That will happen to your projection screen as well.position where your screen fabric will be. If you
Especially when you are using the screen with thecan hold your hand in that position comfortably,
fire on. It's a gradual process of course, but overthe fabric will be safe.
time, the projection screen fabric will no longer beYeah, I know. Not exactly science, but a simple
white. At that point, your image will no longer beway of keeping your screen safe.
the best. But, it's easily resolved by buying a new