From keeping bugs out to letting fresh air in, window screens are a must-have for any savvy homeowner. But with so many new options in window screen meshes, it can feel a little overwhelming&#;should you choose polyester or copper; which is better for security?
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For all your questions, we put together this window screen buying guide to help you prioritize your needs and choose the perfect house window screens for you and your humble abode.
We&#;ve broken down the guide into the following topics:
Let&#;s dive into everything you need to know about the &#;screen scene.&#;
The mesh-like wire commonly found in window screens is typically made from one of the following materials, each offering their own unique set of upsides:
Each material comes with its own advantages, some bolstering the most sought-after window screen functions. To that end, let&#;s dive into those functions, so you can isolate your priorities and choose the screen mesh for your home.
When deliberating which window screen is the best fit, it&#;s important to assess the main function, or functions, you need most. Do you live in a humid area where heat is often trapped indoors? Perhaps you should focus on airflow. Need that extra layer of security to sleep comfortably at night? There are meshes built for you.
Conventional motives homeowners have for installing window screens include:
Whether you have one central worry or a combination of two or more concerns, this guide will help you better articulate your needs when it comes time to shop for window screens.
Let&#;s first discuss the most common factor for buying windows screens: fresh air.
If taking in breezes on cool summer nights is your priority&#;while still eliminating the risk of attracting bugs, debris, or even intruders&#;homeowners should consider the limits window screens can place on airflow.
According to a study by the National Institute of Health, screens can decrease airflow anywhere from 16% to 77%. Nevertheless, that air wouldn&#;t be coursing through your home at all if these windows were shut.
To that end, if the airflow is your primary concern, keep these basics in mind while you shop:
Should you want to indulge in a breeze and open up your windows, but still keep some semblance of privacy, you might want to prioritize the transparency factor of the window screen. Nowadays, screens range in their mesh wire thickness, allowing more (or less) sunlight through&#;meaning passersby can see more (or less) of what&#;s inside your home.
Some options to consider for transparency are:
Insects are known for disrupting a beautiful day outdoors. But when those pests ruin a beautiful day indoors&#;well, then it feels personal. The solution? A window insect screen geared toward pest control.
That said, nuisance isn&#;t the only reason to consider pest control screens. In fact, some pests, like mosquitoes, mice, and rats, are known to carry diseases. Thus, a window screen isn&#;t just for comfort, it&#;s also for safety. There&#;s a reason why pest control is one of the most commonly cited reasons for installing window screens.
The good news is, they work. Properly installed window screens allow homeowners to enjoy the breezy benefits of an open window while blocking out those creepy critters.
If you&#;ve struggled with any of the following pests in your home, consider a polyester-based or fiberglass screen:
The added strength of polyester-based screens will help with the larger pests; the tightly interlaced fiberglass mesh will help with the smaller ones.
Tip: If you&#;re dealing with the smallest of pests&#;think gnats and biting midges&#;you&#;ll want to consider 20 x 20 fiberglass mesh. While the tightness of this screen will reduce the airflow and sunlight coming through, it will be worth not having to deal with no-see-ums.
In the United States, there are an estimated 3.7 million household burglaries each year. Oftentimes, simply having window screens works as an added roadblock and can impede burglars. If you reside in a high-traffic area, security window screens can help to alleviate the risk.
A security screen is specifically designed to impede forced entry. These mesh and see-through fabrics are typically made from woven stainless steel threads attached to a metal screen frame using an interlocking system of clamps.
The end result is a heavy-duty screen that denies access to burglars, while still providing the comforts of standard window screens.
This evolution of window screens as a centerpiece of home safety is showing no signs of slowing down, either. Here are some new developments worth keeping an eye on:
What hasn&#;t been mentioned up until now is the other major benefit to installing window screens on your home&#;they can save you money. By reducing the amount of sunlight flooding into your home in the summer months, you can dramatically reduce the need for air conditioning and lower your utility bills.
If this is your priority, then a solar screen is your golden ticket. Solar window screens can block up to 90% of the sun&#;s rays.
But what if you live in a colder climate and you want to trap heat in? Solar screens placed on the inside of windows (rather than on the outside) are perfect for keeping heat in.
Here&#;s how solar screens&#; multifunctionality meet a variety of needs:
Once you settle on the central purpose for your window screen, it&#;s finally time to think about the frame your screens will rest in. While there is an aesthetic aspect to frame selection, a large part of the decision comes down to which type of frame function you prefer.
Here are few frame functions to consider:
The width and thickness of your frame will likely be dictated by your screen choice. For instance, a heavy-duty security screen will require a broader, more sizable frame.
Tip: Retractable window screens are trending. Unlike traditional window screens, the retractable version can be slid, and sometimes even rolled, away from the window when not in use.
With a better understanding of the functionality and types of window screens available, you might be ready to restore, repair, or replace yours. If you need help from a local specialist with window screen repair or screen replacement, consider the experts at the Glass Guru. We can help you navigate everything from the cost of various window screen combinations to a professional installation.
Are you interested in learning more about stucco mesh corners? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Sources:
Bureau of Justice Statistics. National Crime Victimization Survey. https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/ascii/vdhb.txt
National Institute of Health. Wind Tunnel Analysis of Air Flow Through Insect Screens. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC/
The Glass Guru. Window Screens. https://www.theglassguru.com/services/screens/window-screens/
Lansing Housing Products. Child Safety Screens. https://www.lansinghp.net/child-safety-screens/
Phifer. High Visibility Screens.
https://www.phifer.com/screening/features/visibility/
Every Solar Thing. Solar Screens. https://www.everysolarthing.com/blog/solar-screens/
When choosing types of screen, there are two main materials that screen can be manufactured from: fiberglass yarns and metal wires. Of course, some screens are manufactured out of polyester yarns as well. So, how do you choose between the three? Read along to learn more!
The very first insect screens were manufactured out of metal, so we&#;ll begin with metal screen. Generally manufactured out of aluminum, metal screen is a more traditional choice of screen material. It is very strong, making it ideal for geographical areas with insects such as grasshoppers that could pose a risk to eating through screens. Traditionally, metal screen delivers a more visually appealing
experience when looking through them. Other metal screens are made from bronze, stainless and galvanized steel wire.
Fiberglass screening began being manufactured in the late &#;s, and was developed for its forgiving nature. Fiberglass, coated with a vinyl protective layer, offers a durable, longer-lasting option in coastal climates, since it is not susceptible to corrosion. Over time, fiberglass screen has become a popular option for pool enclosures and patios. Generally, fiberglass screen is only available in shades of charcoal or gray.
In the early &#;s polyester fabrics were first produced by Phifer for outdoor furniture applications in our Phifertex® product line. Its strong, durable and weather resistant features in any outdoor application led to the development of other woven polyester products such as PetScreen®, TuffScreen® and SunTex® exterior sun shading fabrics.
While all three types of screen weather well and offer clear views, there are certain characteristics of each screen that make them more preferable in certain applications.
Metal screen, while sturdy, is also not forgiving, meaning that if pets, people or other object impact the screen, it will dent permanently. The fact that metal screen isn&#;t forgiving, also makes it difficult to install in DIY projects. There&#;s a specific process that must be followed when installing metal screen, and most experts suggest hiring a professional to do the job. One more characteristic to keep in mind, is
Bronze Screen
that metal screen generally comes in maximum widths of 60 to 72 inches. Therefore, if you&#;re looking for screen large enough to cover a wide opening space such as in pool cages, the 6-foot maximum width would not be ideal for projects with wide expanse requirements.
Fiberglass, unlike metal screen, is very forgiving, and can withstand the hustle and bustle of people and pets and accidental bump-ins. This forgiving nature is also a great quality for DIY installs. So, if you&#;re wanting to screen in your back porch one weekend, this material is your better bet. The width range for fiberglass screen is vast, and can be as wide as 132&#;, making it a great option for larger installs such as
18x14 Fiberglass
pool and patio enclosures. Fiberglass is also more cost effective than aluminum.
However, fiberglass screen can have its setbacks as well, with fewer colors available and a greater vulnerability to damage from insects such as grasshoppers.
The primary difference with polyester screening products such as Phifer PetScreen® is not only the different core yarn but how it is coated with the protective vinyl. While metal screens are painted after weaving and fiberglass yarns are coated with a liquid vinyl prior to weaving, polyester yarns are vinyl coated in an extrusion process which places more vinyl on the yarn when compared with
SunTex 80
liquid coating. The result is the ability to make a larger diameter and &#;softer&#; coated yarn. The larger polyester yarns are woven in all SunTex® sun shading fabrics and many popular pool and patio products such as TuffScreen® No-See-Um screening.
If you&#;re in the market to buy metal screen, Phifer® offers Aluminum No-See-Um screen that is perfect for keeping most small insects out, and providing great visibility. As for fiberglass screen, UltraVue 2® is an excellent choice of screen that provides unobstructed views and is infused with Water Shed Technology® to keep screens clear by preventing water collection on the screen while also repelling dirt and debris. TuffScreen® is a very popular polyester mesh product for screen porches or pool enclosures where durability is a priority feature. To buy any of these products now, click here.
Check out these and other screening products at www.phifer.com. From our website, you can live chat with us or give us a call at 800-854- to ask questions or receive more information.
For more fiberglass insect screen mesh factoriesinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.