Set Flat Construction

What construction method do you use for your set flats, why ? how ecconomical is it ? how practical is it ? Let others share in your successes and failures. Don't be faraid to say what doesn't work as it will save others travelling down that path. This came up in discussion the other day and the times they are a changing. The Garrick theatre have a system of using pine frames using 75 x 42 or 90 x 42 timber, 3.3 metres high which takes them to their stage beam height. These frames are made in 300 mm and 600 mm widths to suit 1200 x 2400 mm ply sheeting. Fir doorways, you use the opening between two flats as you can attach the door hinges to the side of the flats and fill in above the door. The solid frames also allow you to attach cupboards and bunk beds to the flats. The Garrick screw their frames to the floor and brace to the walls and stage beams, which gives a solid set so doors can be slammed. Playlovers have a system of bracing their flats to the walls using telescopic steel tubes with wing nut set screws. These are attached with bolts to a dexion strip running all the way around the stage walls. This allows for quick and flexible set construction. Tony Ridout built this David Ashton at All Things Theatre has a metal framed system that are skinned with wood and optionally covered with canvas for a that original flat texture. Kwinana Theatre Workshop use wooden frames with mdf skins.