If you want to try Christmas projection without mapping the whole house, start with the garage door. It is big, flat, usually light-colored and faces the street. That makes it the easiest surface on most houses for a bright, sharp image.
1. Measure the door
A typical single garage door is about 8 to 9 ft wide; a double is about 16 ft. Measure yours, including the trim if you want the image to wrap it.
2. Work out the projector distance
Distance equals the projector’s throw ratio times the image width. For a 16 ft door and a throw ratio of 1.2, that is about 19 ft back. A short-throw projector lets you set up much closer, which helps on short driveways. More on this in how far the projector should be from your house.
3. Pick the spot
The end of the driveway or the lawn beside it usually works. Keep the beam clear of parked cars and people walking up to the door, and raise the projector on a stand if you can.
4. Protect the projector
The projector will sit outside every night of the season. A Homeline enclosure is our fan-cooled option for homeowners in milder climates. For wet, freezing or coastal sites, use the climate-controlled Defender. We check the fit for your projector model before you order.
Christmas offer · only 20 available
Homeline projector enclosure: $799. Fan-cooled, a 1-year warranty, and a fit check for your projector model before you order. Enclosure only; while the 20 last.
5. Power it safely
Run an outdoor-rated cord from a GFCI-protected outlet, keep connections off the ground, and route the cord where nobody will trip on it.
6. Map the panels
In your mapping software, outline the door and its panels. Content that follows the panel lines looks far more convincing than a flat picture: a present with the ribbon along the seams, or snow piling up on each panel ledge.
7. Choose the content
- A gift-wrapped door with a ribbon that unties itself.
- A Christmas countdown that changes every night.
- A fireplace scene or a window into Santa’s workshop.
- Snow falling across the door and the drive.
8. Add the windows next
Once the garage looks good, expand to the house. Windows need Window Mapping Film on the outside of the glass, or projected light disappears into the house.
Get help
Send us the door size, your projector model and how far back you can set up. Contact us or call 888-631-5880.
More reading: Garage door projection mapping guide · Christmas house projection mapping guide · 12 Christmas projection ideas
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