So, everything about a screen is the material which is used. Most manufacturers apply a coating to the screen, so, while I'm sure many are capable of buying a surface from a similar source, there is a significant cost jump once the actual projection surface is then applied to that material. I'm also sure it's possible to apply no added coating and just use the surface.
I have huge issues with the big 3. This is Stewart, DaLite, and Draper. Their pricing really is outrageous, but I expect necessary, to stay in business. DaLite and Draper do very well in the commercial space because they have all the necessary permits and signoffs for fireproof and commercial work requirements. The price, at the mid-tier is ideal to make a bit of money on as well.
But, in the home, what is it you are looking to achieve?
First, ALR screens are a magical form of suck. They don't do good things to the image. But, in a lit room, which is destroying the image, a ALR screen improves the situation. So, in a dark room, you NEVER use a ALR screen. It just hurts the image.
So, the goal is a white screen in a dark room. And, that white screen should have absolutely the least amount of impact on the image as possible. It should have the highest amount of diffusion as possible, with the least amount of visible texture as possible with an extremely color neutral balance.
In reality, back in the day, this meant Stewart for the best. Nobody could compete. But, the reality is that we've seen a lot of good competitors over the years, and if you are looking for a reasonably good, well performing screen, then SilverTicket or the SableFrame screen are just fine. They are reasonably neutral, good dispersion, and have reasonable texture from normal viewing distances.
I would not buy a Stewart or DaLite unless I was specifically looking at a material which was significantly superior to the base line materials. This is insanely true with Stewart who has created a premium price point product and has some real competition from others these days.
www.legrandav.com
Neve features a super smooth surface and offers the widest possible viewing cone when ambient light can be controlled. Exclusive to Cima only,
www.stewartfilmscreen.com
At the end, it would depend a great deal on how much my budget was, how significant my projector was, and how good my theater space was.
If I thought they were all excellent, then I would order screen samples from both companies so I could at least compare them. I might reach out to someone like Screen Innovations for a sample of their inexpensive CineWhite material. This is what comes on their budget Sableframe screen.
I really get what DaLite is going after. I'm not sure if Stewart matches their quality, but they may come very close at half the price. But, at the end of the day, I'm all about budget. I think that the SilverTicket/Sableframe screens do just fine at just a few hundred bucks, with the screen frame included.
I don't care what your friend says. There's no way to build an excellent screen frame without spending a couple hundred bucks, and then it won't come apart easily, it won't be aluminum, etc. Sableframe and SilverTicket are both full on aluminum frames with that screen material, and worth the extra cost.
Want to build your own frame and need home theater grade materials? We have them for you. Select the size and color your need. Materials will have pockets to slide a tension rod through. Tension rods not included. If you do not want to use the pockets on the screen material, simply cut...
silverticketproducts.com
Now, I can't find a link to 'Protheater' as a seller on eBay, but this is the type of link I found...
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 140" BARE / RAW Projector Projection Screen Material + DIY Plans for Fixed Frame at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
Look at their last photo, of the actual material, and you will see that the visible texture on this indicates that it is a LONG way from what DaLite is delivering, and perhaps Stewart as well. It's much closer to what the Sableframe and SilverTicket material is, but doesn't include a full aluminum frame for the money.
Nope, not the way to go at all. But, there are dozens of different material sellers on eBay. One is bound to be decent.