Projector Port Window Guide
A projector port window, also called a projection port, is the glass opening between your projector and your theater. The projector sits in its own room or box, and the picture passes through the glass. This guide covers what to buy, how to size it and what it costs.
Why put glass in front of a projector
- Quiet. The projector's fan noise stays on the other side of the wall.
- Heat. The projector's heat stays out of the theater.
- Protection. The projector is kept away from dust and hands.
The glass has to be the right kind. Ordinary glass reflects about 8% of the light, which bounces part of the picture back at the projector and around its room. OptiClear anti-reflective glass reflects less than 1/2% and lets 99% of the light through. It is water white (low-iron) glass, so it does not add a green tint to the picture.
Glass only, or a finished port window?
- Glass only. Choose this if you already have a frame or an opening, or you are building one. We cut the glass to your height (H) and width (W). Shop glass.
- Framed port window. The frame and the glass in one piece, ready to slide into the opening in your wall. Shop port windows.
Single pane or dual pane
Thicker glass blocks more sound, and two panes block the most.
| Window | Estimated sound rating | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 6mm single pane | STC 31 | A quiet projector, or a tight budget |
| 10mm single pane | STC 34 | More sound blocking in one pane |
| 12mm single pane | STC 36 | The most sound blocking in one pane |
| Dual pane (6mm + 10mm) | STC 40+ | The quietest theater |
How to size it
Port windows are ordered by the rough opening, written height (H) x width (W). The rough opening is the hole in the wall that the frame slides into.
- The glass you see through is 3 inches smaller each way than the rough opening. A 12" H x 18" W window has about 9" H x 15" W of clear glass.
- The clear glass has to be bigger than the beam of light where it passes through the wall. The closer the projector sits to the glass, the smaller the window can be.
- Frames come 4 inches or 6 inches deep, to suit the thickness of your wall.
The sizing guide walks through the measurements step by step.
What it costs
- Budget port window, 9" H x 9" W, 6mm glass: $395
- Standard and custom port windows, 6" H x 6" W up to 24" H x 24" W: from $500. See every size and price, or build a custom size.
- Glass only, cut to size: from $59. About the glass.
Standard production lead time is 3 weeks. Rush production is available: 7 business days or less for port windows, 3 business days or less for glass.
Questions
Does port glass dim the picture?
OptiClear glass lets 99% of the light through, with less than 1/2% reflection.
Can I see the glass first?
Yes. Order a 6" H x 6" W sample in any thickness.
I need a size larger than 24" H x 24" W, or several windows.
Request a quote and we will price it.
How do I clean the glass?
See the cleaning instructions.
I install theaters for clients. Do you have trade pricing?
Yes. Apply for dealer pricing.
Questions? Email info@acoinc.net or call (949) 789-7700.
