It's time to retire our homemade panel system and get something better. My husband is leaning toward the flourish mesh panels that would fit on our EZ up tent. Can anyone give me the pros and cons of the mesh panels? Do they hold up over time?
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I also use the mesh panels. I purchased them for an E Z Up about 4 years ago and when I switched over to a trimline 3 years ago they worked perfectly as well. I agree with all that has been offered here. I will add that I use 2 drapery hooks for each hanging picture and they stay level throughout the show. I will also note that with mesh panels, no mater how tightly you cinch them down to the lower sta-bars and side posts, they are going to move and sway just a bit in a breeze even with sidewalls down. It's not major at all but something to consider if you are used to a rock solid pro-panel display.
I have had my mesh walls with my trimline since 2006. I bought the whole setup used so it is probably about 7 years old. They have held up extremely well. I have not yet washed them...thanks for the advice on this.
I have had very heavy work that I have hung on my mesh (ie: steel frames) walls and as long as I used a minimum of three S hooks on the smaller work and 5 or so for the larger work, I have never had a problem of any tearing of the mesh. Although, I did have a piece slip when I did not pay attention and only had the heavy piece hanging by two (possibly just one) hooks. In this case, the hook did tear through one hole.
I like the ease and weight of the mesh. I can fit my whole tent and most of my artwork in a tiny Kia Rio.
You can also get your own fabric to cover the mesh (the tops of mine are a velcro material so I could make covers) Or buy them from Flourish. I have a friend who has bought 2 covers of the 4 walls and his display looks really nice.
I've recently switched to using at least 2 mesh panels from flourish for my flourish canopy. I really have to second what Geoff said ........ they really cut down on space and weight for transport! ...... and they go up much faster. We also use 3 or 4 Graphic display system panels as well, in place of a 3rd mesh wall (used to use all graphic display panels about 9 of them). This allows us a lot of flexibility.
I find that the main drawback is backlighting.
But the benefis of transport and set-up outweigh any drawbacks.
I'd like to hear from someones who's used them for more than 5 years ....... how do they hold up?
Bill Hobbs
Lynda Wallis > William D. HobbsAugust 2, 2011 at 5:15pm
I use the mesh panels and love them. I'm getting towards the end of my first summer using them so can't offer anything regarding longevity. I've put them up and down at least a 12 times so far and am thankful for them each and every time. I have a smallish car and do the shows by myself, so size and weight where huge factors in my decision making process. The breeze that comes through my booth is always welcome and so far, they have held up perfectly. I see very, very little evidence of wear and tear. The backlighting actually can look good in certain situations. I had several folks remark favorably on the light patterns against some of my paintings this weekend.
Sandy Simmons > Lynda WallisAugust 5, 2011 at 7:07pm
Lynda, I'm thinking of getting the mesh panels too. Your input is valuable. My question is, do you use an easy up canopy, and if so, could you tell me which one? Also, I have some pretty big watercolors. Does the mesh have the capacity of hanging bigger art, or do you know? This website has been great for helping me with these questions.
I've used them for four years. My "starter list" of pros and cons:
* You can put them in a bag (that you purchase from Flourish), so they're tote-able. Take up way less space than a set of Pro Panels...important if you have a smaller vehicle
* Lightweight.
* They let a nice breeze through the tent (if a breeze exists!)
* You can remove the "stiffening rods" (no jokes, please!) that run lengthwise along the top, and then pop them into a commercial washing machine (with a little detergent) for cleaning.
Cons:
* Although you can wash them, the fasteners (clips) on the bottoms can still get grimy.
* They're not as infinitely configurable as pro panels are.
I too am thinking about getting the Flourish mesh panels for an easy up. I talked to them today about it. I have some pretty heavy larger watercolors and am wondering if you all who have this setup have a problem hanging heavier framed art? Also is there a preferable canopy for the mesh panels? Thanks so much!
If you drive a minivan, Pro Panels will take up around 40% of the interior space. Mesh walls take up virtually no space. But if you use mesh walls, you will need to keep the canopy walls down behind them to cut down on backlighting.
I purchase sheer mesh walls with a Light Dome canopy and have used it for two shows. Set up and break down is much faster than my Craft Hut and Pro Panels used to be. The sheer mesh walls don't appear to let light through but they still do a little. The last show I did was a one day show and didn't even hang the canopy walls. Just the top and mesh walls. I was out in about a half hour.
Replies
Is there a company that makes the mesh panels beside Flourish?
read my posts. I had originally purchased mesh walls from the Light Dome people.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
I also use the mesh panels. I purchased them for an E Z Up about 4 years ago and when I switched over to a trimline 3 years ago they worked perfectly as well. I agree with all that has been offered here. I will add that I use 2 drapery hooks for each hanging picture and they stay level throughout the show. I will also note that with mesh panels, no mater how tightly you cinch them down to the lower sta-bars and side posts, they are going to move and sway just a bit in a breeze even with sidewalls down. It's not major at all but something to consider if you are used to a rock solid pro-panel display.
I have had my mesh walls with my trimline since 2006. I bought the whole setup used so it is probably about 7 years old. They have held up extremely well. I have not yet washed them...thanks for the advice on this.
I have had very heavy work that I have hung on my mesh (ie: steel frames) walls and as long as I used a minimum of three S hooks on the smaller work and 5 or so for the larger work, I have never had a problem of any tearing of the mesh. Although, I did have a piece slip when I did not pay attention and only had the heavy piece hanging by two (possibly just one) hooks. In this case, the hook did tear through one hole.
I like the ease and weight of the mesh. I can fit my whole tent and most of my artwork in a tiny Kia Rio.
You can also get your own fabric to cover the mesh (the tops of mine are a velcro material so I could make covers) Or buy them from Flourish. I have a friend who has bought 2 covers of the 4 walls and his display looks really nice.
I've recently switched to using at least 2 mesh panels from flourish for my flourish canopy. I really have to second what Geoff said ........ they really cut down on space and weight for transport! ...... and they go up much faster. We also use 3 or 4 Graphic display system panels as well, in place of a 3rd mesh wall (used to use all graphic display panels about 9 of them). This allows us a lot of flexibility.
I find that the main drawback is backlighting.
But the benefis of transport and set-up outweigh any drawbacks.
I'd like to hear from someones who's used them for more than 5 years ....... how do they hold up?
Bill Hobbs
Lynda, I'm thinking of getting the mesh panels too. Your input is valuable. My question is, do you use an easy up canopy, and if so, could you tell me which one? Also, I have some pretty big watercolors. Does the mesh have the capacity of hanging bigger art, or do you know? This website has been great for helping me with these questions.
Sandy Simmons
California
I've used them for four years. My "starter list" of pros and cons:
* You can put them in a bag (that you purchase from Flourish), so they're tote-able. Take up way less space than a set of Pro Panels...important if you have a smaller vehicle
* Lightweight.
* They let a nice breeze through the tent (if a breeze exists!)
* You can remove the "stiffening rods" (no jokes, please!) that run lengthwise along the top, and then pop them into a commercial washing machine (with a little detergent) for cleaning.
Cons:
* Although you can wash them, the fasteners (clips) on the bottoms can still get grimy.
* They're not as infinitely configurable as pro panels are.
* They're not cheap
I too am thinking about getting the Flourish mesh panels for an easy up. I talked to them today about it. I have some pretty heavy larger watercolors and am wondering if you all who have this setup have a problem hanging heavier framed art? Also is there a preferable canopy for the mesh panels? Thanks so much!
Sandy Simmons
California
If you drive a minivan, Pro Panels will take up around 40% of the interior space. Mesh walls take up virtually no space. But if you use mesh walls, you will need to keep the canopy walls down behind them to cut down on backlighting.
I purchase sheer mesh walls with a Light Dome canopy and have used it for two shows. Set up and break down is much faster than my Craft Hut and Pro Panels used to be. The sheer mesh walls don't appear to let light through but they still do a little. The last show I did was a one day show and didn't even hang the canopy walls. Just the top and mesh walls. I was out in about a half hour.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
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