cave room
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3669
Printed Date: 5/06/24 at 11:02am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: cave room
Posted By: white69mach1
Subject: cave room
Date Posted: 12/16/08 at 10:20pm
| I dont know if I came to the right place for help but i have searched the internet and have not found much information. I am building a dedicated theater room in my den and i am wanting to make the theme the bat cave so I am trying to find ideas how to make the room into a cave.I am wanting something that is going to last and not fall apart in six months |
Replies:
Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 12/17/08 at 2:07pm
|
Chicken wire, spray insulating foam, and then paint. ------------- KEB |
Posted By: white69mach1
Date Posted: 12/17/08 at 8:08pm
| but is foam going to hold up if a kid or great dane bumps into the wall. Ive heard that concrete would work |
Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 12/18/08 at 5:04pm
|
I don't think bumping it would hurt it at all. The stuff is very durable.
It can, however, be sliced and sanded ... and chewed and picked at and poked ... So, foam may not be the right choice for kids and dogs.
------------- KEB |
Posted By: white69mach1
Date Posted: 12/18/08 at 9:58pm
| I have researched a bit. I think my best bet is going to be foam chicken wire then a coat of concrete |
Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 12/19/08 at 3:17am
|
I would think unless you REALLY know and understand concrete, you run the risk of your walls cracking (which might be okay with it being a cave and all), but structured chicken wire formations covered with Fiberglas (as in a boat hull) would be more flexible and giving to "bumps and bruises" while maintaining its intended shape. It, like concrete, can be painted to resemble cave walls.
I wish you the best of luck with whatever you do.  ------------- Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. |
Posted By: white69mach1
Date Posted: 12/19/08 at 7:14am
| well i plan to play with it a little bit in the shop before i try to lay it |
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 12/19/08 at 10:28am
|
I agree fibreglas to be the best solution. It's lightweight, flexible, molds easily and takes paint well. Unfortunately, it requires skilled technicians, is messy to apply and rather toxic while airborne. Proper precautions would need to be taken.
Concrete, in comparison, is quite heavy, inflexible and prone to crack. It can be painted or stained, but it is laborious. Likewise, the texture of the concrete, depending on the size of the aggregate you'll be using, won't convey the "carved rock" feeling of a batcave, but more of a "shored up mine" with a multitude of tiny rocks and pebbles imbedded within it. The surface will be rough and it's not something I'd like my dog or kids bumping into -- even accidentally. I'm also thinking of the re-sale value of your property should you need to move. Having a room filled floor-to-ceiling with concrete might be problematical. Another option is latex-based, heavy-duty drywall mud. It can be applied over a chicken wire frame and -- although not as flexible as fibreglas -- it is not as rigid as concrete and is easier to apply than both. The great advantage is -- while wet -- it can be sculpted into the exact details you want and -- when dry -- can be sanded to refine your look even more. Treated properly, it should hold up to minor abuses. A final option is sheets of brown craft paper and wallpaper sizing. This is the lightest and most easily applied -- no special tools required. It is a technique readily used in film & television production. Look at the caves in "Hogan's Heroes" or "Gilligan's Island" to get an idea. Of course, it won't withstand much abuse and so I'd recommend limiting the paper treatment to the upper walls and ceiling while doing an industrial wainscoting half-way up the wall (like brushed aluminum, sheet metal or subway tile.) This should keep curious hands and wet doggy noses at a safe distance. Good luck! ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: white69mach1
Date Posted: 12/21/08 at 12:40am
| Well it looks like im going to chicken out. The cave thing is something I really wanted to do but I cant afford to pay someone to do it. I am a police officer. I really do not want to get in over my head . |
Posted By: JoeMc
Date Posted: 12/21/08 at 7:17am
|
Have a look at rock molded panels;-
http://www.architecturaldepot.com/pc/RR-L/simulated-stone-siding/ - http://www.architecturaldepot.com/pc/RR-L/simulated-stone-siding/
Try some ornamental feature garden centres, some do supply moulded plastic panel & sheeting, which simulates a rock face, ------------- [western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!} |
Posted By: Pamw
Date Posted: 12/31/08 at 5:04pm
|
I am also a member of AVS forum. There's a whole group of folks that design and build their own home theaters (myself included). Here's the link:
http://www.avsforum.com - www.avsforum.com
They can give you lots of pointers - don't forget that you'll need to be somewhat acoustically "sound"!
Best of luck. ------------- Pam |