Service
Projector & Screen Installation in Ann Arbor, MI
Home theater projectors and screens, plus ceiling mounts for basements, bars and meeting rooms, with the screen sized to your seating and the wiring hidden.
Screen Size
How Big Should a Projector Screen Be?
The right screen size comes from the room, not the biggest number on the box. It depends on how far the seats are from the wall, how high the ceiling is and what you watch most. With sharp 4K content, many people enjoy sitting closer to a projector screen than they ever would to a TV, which makes a larger image comfortable.
Height matters as much as width. The bottom of the screen should clear the heads of anyone sitting in front, especially with more than one row. Shape is part of the decision too: a standard widescreen fits TV, sports and gaming, while an extra-wide cinema screen suits people who mostly watch movies. We look at the wall, the seating and your habits, then size the screen around all three.
Placement
Where Should a Projector Be Mounted?
Every projector has a throw distance, the range of distances from the screen that produces a given image size, so the model and the mounting spot get chosen together. Most home installs use a ceiling mount behind or above the seating. Short-throw projectors are another option, sitting close to the screen on a low console.
A few details make a big difference: keeping a noisy fan away from the main seats, using lens shift instead of tilting the projector when the room allows, and planning power and video cables so nothing runs across the ceiling. In commercial spaces with drop ceilings, the mount needs to tie into the structure above the tiles rather than resting on the grid.
Light Control
Can You Use a Projector in a Room With Windows?
You can, but light is a projector's biggest enemy. Daylight and lamps wash out the image, especially dark movie scenes. There are good ways around it: a brighter projector, an ambient light rejecting screen that bounces the projector's light toward the seats while cutting light from other angles, and shades or curtains for the times you want a true theater feel.
In a bright living room used mostly during the day, a large TV can be the better pick. In a basement or a room you can darken, a projector gives you a cinema-size picture for far less wall space than you'd expect. If you're weighing the two, our home theater design work starts with exactly that question.
Screen Types
Fixed-Frame or Motorized Projector Screen?
The screen changes the picture as much as the projector does. The main options:
Fixed-frame
A tight, perfectly flat surface on a frame. The classic choice for dedicated theaters.
Motorized
Drops down when you watch and rolls up out of sight, great for rooms with more than one use.
Ambient light rejecting
Built to keep contrast in rooms that can't be fully darkened.
Acoustically transparent
Lets speakers sit behind the screen, so sound comes from the picture itself.
We'll recommend the screen that fits the room, the projector and how you plan to use the space.
Commercial Projection
Projector Installation for Bars, Classrooms and Meeting Rooms
Projection in a business has different demands than a home theater. Rooms are usually lit, so brightness matters more. Projectors hang above people moving around, so the mount has to be solid and the cables secured. And the system has to be simple enough for staff to switch on without help.
We've installed a ceiling-mounted projector in a bar alongside a row of TVs, and we plan commercial projection around sight lines, sources and easy control. For meeting rooms that also need cameras and microphones, see our commercial AV and hybrid conference room solutions.
Questions
Projector & Screen Installation FAQ
Is a projector better than a big TV?
It depends on the room. Projectors win on image size in rooms you can darken, while TVs handle bright rooms better. We help you decide before anything is bought.
Can a projector be mounted on a drop ceiling?
Yes, with a mount made to attach to the structure above the ceiling tiles, so the grid isn't carrying the weight.
Do I need a screen, or can I project on a wall?
A painted wall works in a pinch, but a proper screen gives a brighter, more even and sharper image, especially with 4K projectors.
Can surround sound be added with the projector?
Yes, and it's easiest to plan both together. See surround sound and in-wall speaker installation.
Which areas do you serve for projector installation?
We're based in Ann Arbor and install projectors in nearby communities, including Canton Township, Plymouth, Pittsfield Township and Scio Township.
Keep exploring
Other Services You Might Need
Premium Home Theater Design & Atmos Integration
Custom home theaters with Dolby Atmos sound and a big-screen picture, designed around your room, your seating and the way your family actually watches.
Learn more
Commercial AV & Hybrid Conference Room Solutions
Commercial AV and hybrid conference rooms for in-person and remote meetings: displays, cameras, microphones, speakers and controls that are easy for anyone to use.
Learn more
Surround Sound & In-Wall Speaker Installation
Surround sound, in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, soundbars and amplifiers, placed for your room and wired out of sight so you hear the sound, not see the gear.
Learn moreReviews
What Customers Say About Our Work
Reviews from homeowners and businesses we have worked with, straight from our Google Business Profile.
Start your project
Contact Us
Tell us about the room, the screen and the sound you want, and we will get back to you with next steps.
Call Us(586) 960-5776Contact Us
Tell us about your room and what you have in mind, and we will get back to you.