[FutureFiyero]

Hey everyone!

This will be my first year FINALLY doing a haunted trail and walk-through haunt. After 21 years of being on this earth, this is a dream come true!
Though cost really isn't a factor, I'm trying to stay as economic as possible. Mainly being that the more economic options will allow for purchase of other props, lighting, etc. And they also tend to be more simple to accomplish. I'm also using my natural wooded backyard, and I will utilize good lighting to it's fullest advantage.

My strengths definitely lay with art and design, but I definitely lack skill in carpentry and execution... hence my seeking of advice.

My ideas so far include staking 2x3's into my yard space about 4ft apart, bracing with more 2x3 on top, and then stapling 6mil black plastic sheeting or landscape fabric to the beams. I'll also be using cornstalks that I will be tying to bamboo stakes as a sort of barrier.

Has anyone had any luck with something along these lines?

What do you think?

SOS
A Newbie Haunter

 

[osenator]

Most important 1st question. What kind of weather you get on Halloween ?

 

[FutureFiyero]

Most important 1st question. What kind of weather you get on Halloween ?

I'm part of the Atlantic Corridor so we are usually clear but a bit breezy/verging on windy!

 

[osenator]

We built into the years, many tunnels and mazes and Mother Nature always found a way to destroy them. We even used cement blocks, as even tighing them to huge trees. Nothing worked. RAIN, SNOW and WIND always massacred our attemps. Was one, two, or even on Halloween day. We lost hundred of dollars in the years due to the damage. Also, realise the work also involve. It's lots of very physical work, when you are only 2 people.

We gave up into building mazes or tunnels. We are going to do simple walk arounds of the house, maxing out our haunt with our huge backyard.

I wish you luck.

 

[Screaming Demons]

I say work with what you've got. You have a trail, not a warehouse, so make a haunted trail. Plastic walls aren't going to fool anyone into thinking they're indoors. If you want to do something that might have possibly popped up out in the woods thanks to ******** or cannibals, use pallets for walls. Sturdier than plastic but wind still plays a factor.

 

[EdgarWhelp]

If it gets really windy, your options are probably to go with a material that allows the wind through like burlap. Plastic sheets will become a giant parachute, dragging your walls away. If you stain the burlap black it would probably look OK, although it will allow light to bleed in from outside. There might be a better alternative to burlap - it's just the first material that came to mind.

If money really isn't an object, go with completely solid walls using wood. Build it properly and no amount of huffing and puffing will blow your haunt down. ;-)

I tried walls made from thick black fabric one year and the wind was a disaster (I'm in Australia so this was relatively calm Spring winds). If I'd built the frames more sturdily it most likely would have been fine, but I'm in no hurry to try again.

Good luck!

 

[ctarpey]

hey where in long island are you?
I have a few years of haunt experience and would love to lend a hand or check out your operation!

 

[FutureFiyero]

We built into the years, many tunnels and mazes and Mother Nature always found a way to destroy them. We even used cement blocks, as even tighing them to huge trees. Nothing worked. RAIN, SNOW and WIND always massacred our attemps. Was one, two, or even on Halloween day. We lost hundred of dollars in the years due to the damage. Also, realise the work also involve. It's lots of very physical work, when you are only 2 people.

We gave up into building mazes or tunnels. We are going to do simple walk arounds of the house, maxing out our haunt with our huge backyard.

I wish you luck.

Sounds like something I should keep in mind.

Thanks for your insight!

 

[FutureFiyero]

I say work with what you've got. You have a trail, not a warehouse, so make a haunted trail. Plastic walls aren't going to fool anyone into thinking they're indoors. If you want to do something that might have possibly popped up out in the woods thanks to ******** or cannibals, use pallets for walls. Sturdier than plastic but wind still plays a factor.

I'll probably go this route. I've lost faith in plastic sheeting. Pallets are probably a bit much for me (weight wise, practicality wise), so I'll probably rip-cut cheap fir studs and create lightweight pallet-esque thingamajigs myself.

Thanks!

 

[FutureFiyero]

hey where in long island are you?
I have a few years of haunt experience and would love to lend a hand or check out your operation!

Hey there!

I'm in Patchogue. Long Island Haunters, Unite!

 

[FutureFiyero]

If it gets really windy, your options are probably to go with a material that allows the wind through like burlap. Plastic sheets will become a giant parachute, dragging your walls away. If you stain the burlap black it would probably look OK, although it will allow light to bleed in from outside. There might be a better alternative to burlap - it's just the first material that came to mind.

If money really isn't an object, go with completely solid walls using wood. Build it properly and no amount of huffing and puffing will blow your haunt down. ;-)

I tried walls made from thick black fabric one year and the wind was a disaster (I'm in Australia so this was relatively calm Spring winds). If I'd built the frames more sturdily it most likely would have been fine, but I'm in no hurry to try again.

Good luck!

I really appreciate your insight, thank you!
I guess if this is what I want to do then I have to really DO IT.... there's no easy way around it!

haha.
Thanks again!

 

[Grey Lady]

To limit line of sight outside, I use 6 ft chain link fence with the faux greenery (that comes in rolls from menards/home depot/lowes etc.) I secure them with metal posts.
I've also use trees. I find people with volunteer (unwanted) 2-3 in trunk diameter trees and ask if I can cut them down and haul them off. I've never had anyone say no. then we either dig holes and 'bury' a foot of 2 or again use metal posts to secure them, occasionally we will screw them directly to a structure. This is particularly effective in and around tombstones and mausoleums for that wonderful neglected look.
Just a few ideas.

 

[ctarpey]

Figured you were out there. Theres more woods out there. Im in nassau - Merrick! There are a few pro haunted trails out there and they usually use a mix of black plastic walls and pallets!

 

[FutureFiyero]

To limit line of sight outside, I use 6 ft chain link fence with the faux greenery (that comes in rolls from menards/home depot/lowes etc.) I secure them with metal posts.
I've also use trees. I find people with volunteer (unwanted) 2-3 in trunk diameter trees and ask if I can cut them down and haul them off. I've never had anyone say no. then we either dig holes and 'bury' a foot of 2 or again use metal posts to secure them, occasionally we will screw them directly to a structure. This is particularly effective in and around tombstones and mausoleums for that wonderful neglected look.
Just a few ideas.

The the idea of using tree bits to limit sight. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[FutureFiyero]

Figured you were out there. Theres more woods out there. Im in nassau - Merrick! There are a few pro haunted trails out there and they usually use a mix of black plastic walls and pallets!

That's awesome.
Definitely going to be creating some sort of "pallet" facade.