High summer's finally here, and with it come all the heat, insects, and critters
a person can bear. Luckily, one refuge from this invasion is the screened porch.
To make sure your screening holds up to the test, here's a rundown of the
various mesh types, along with some valuable dos and don'ts from people in the
business.
Insect screening. Standard insect screening is 18 x 14 or 18 x 16
mesh (18 wires per inch in one direction and either 14 or 16 wires per inch in
the other direction), resulting in an opening less than 1/16 inch square. "This
spacing keeps out most pests," says Mona Plyler of Phifer Wire Products, "but I
suggest a tightly woven 20 x 20 fiberglass mesh for regions where tiny bugs are
a problem."
Apart from fiberglass, general insect screening is manufactured in aluminum,
galvanized steel, and even bronze. Galvanized steel mesh offers the shortest
life because its protective coating can flake off, allowing the wires to rust.
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| The Screen Queen |
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Kim Holt is known by many as the "Screen Queen." We consulted her for some time- and weather-tested secrets.
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Aluminum resists rusting and corrosion but deteriorates more quickly in coastal
locations.- Pet-resistant screening. "Phifer now offers PetScreen, which is seven times
stronger than regular insect screening," Mona says. It is composed of a
vinyl-coated polyester that's installed like conventional screening products. It
resists pet damage and offers excellent outward visibility.
For a quick-fix method, consider reinforcing the lower screen panels of a porch
or door with hardware cloth (a galvanized steel screen that has a wider mesh). A
second option is to install a clear sheet of acrylic plastic over the lower
screen panels. Even though they block air, these transparent sheets offer
considerable protection from pet claws. Once heavily scratched, the plastic can
be replaced.
- Wind-resistant and sun-shading screens. In areas where frequent high winds can
beat up screens, Mona recommends a stronger mesh, such as an 18 x 14 fiberglass
weave. For sun screening, she notes that there is an array of products on the
market that shade those sitting on the porch from 65% to 90% of the sun's heat
and glare.
- Do-it-yourself alternative. A dependable and easy-to-install screening system
called Screen Tight eliminates the old, cumbersome method of staples, nails,
wooden lattice, and paint. Instead, this system consists of a base strip that
attaches to a wood frame. Once secured, a chosen screen is rolled into place
with a spline and screen roller and further secured by a vinyl cap that snaps in
place. You can find the Screen Tight system at most home-improvement
stores.
