2 Good 2 Be True: 1x4
The frame boards are set on edge rather than flat, and may be made of 1x stock, or occasionally of 5/4 stock for rough duty. 1x3 and 1x4 is common, but 1x2 is generally sufficient if of good quality, and helps reduce the weight of the units, as well as significantly reducing required storage space. Instead of canvas, the frame is covered with 1/8" or 1/4" plywood, usually luaun. Luaun is much weaker than fir, but it is lighter and the surface is much smoother.
2 Good 2 Be True: 1x4
Each style has its advantages and disadvantages. Broadway flats, when covered with canvas, are much lighter than a similar size Hollywood. One person can handle a flat. They are also somewhat cheaper in materials too, as canvas is cheaper per square foot that plywood. Canvas also gives a very good painting surface without obvious grain to fight. Since they only take about an inch to store, you can store a number in a fairly thin space. Broadway flats are easy to assemble into corners, as they can be nailed, screwed or lashed. HoweverCanvas flats are less rigid, so they require stiffeners and bracing to support walls of them, and the canvas can flap if the flat is bumped or a door in the wall is slammed. They take longer to build, and are fussier to construct. It is easy to get them out of square. 041b061a72