Cover for the opening of a window

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A window screen (also known as insect screen, bug screen, fly screen, flywire, wire mesh, or window net) is designed to cover the opening of a window. It is usually a mesh made of metal, fibreglass, plastic wire, or other pieces of plastic and stretched in a frame of wood or metal. It serves to keep leaves, debris, bugs, birds, and other animals from entering a building or a screened structure such as a porch, without blocking fresh air-flow.

Most houses in Australia, the United States and Canada and other parts of the world have screens on windows to prevent entry of flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies and wasps. In some regions such as the northern United States and Canada, screens were required to be replaced by glass storm windows in the winter, but now combination storm and screen windows are available, which allow glass and screen panels to slide up and down.

For screens installed on aluminium frames, the material is cut slightly larger than the frame, then laid over it, and a flexible vinyl cord, called a spline, is pressed over the screen into a groove (spline channel) in the frame. The excess screen is then trimmed close to the spline with a sharp utility knife. Common spline sizes range from 3.6 mm (0.140 in) to 4.8 mm (0.190 in), in increments of 0.25 mm (0.010 in).

The spline is often manufactured with parallel ridges running along the length of the spline to provide a better grip and compression when it is pressed into the spline channel. A spline roller ' a special tool that consists of a metal (or plastic) wheel on a handle ' is used to press the spline into the frame. The wheel edge is concave, to help it hold the spline and not slip off to the side. Some spline rollers are double-ended and have both convex and concave rollers; the convex roller can be used to seat the spline deeper into the channel without risk of cutting the screen. Driving the spline into the channel tends to tension the screen on the frame, so the installer must avoid pre-tensioning the screen excessively to prevent the frame from becoming warped.

History

"Wove wire for window screens" are referenced in the American Farmer in .[1] Advertisement for wire window screens also appeared in Boyd's Blue Book in . Two wire window screens were exhibited at Quincy Hall in Boston in .

In Gilbert, Bennett and Company was manufacturing wire mesh sieves for food processing. An employee realized that the wire cloth could be painted gray and sold as window screens and the product became an immediate success. On July 7, , Bayley and McCluskey filed a U.S. Patent, number for screened roof-top rail-car windows, allowing ventilation, while preventing "sparks, cinders, dust, etc." from entering the passenger compartment. By , E.T. Barnum Company of Detroit, Michigan advertised screens that were sold by the square foot.[2]

Window screens designed specifically to prevent insect entry were not patented in the United States, although by several patents were awarded for particular innovations related to window screen design. By the s, parasitic diseases were largely eradicated in the United States in part due to the widespread use of window screens.[3] Today many houses in Australia, the United States and Canada have screens on operable windows.[4]

Uses

A window screen prevents insects flying or crawling into a house without obstructing the view or airflow through the window. It is not generally intended to prevent young children from falling out of the window, stop home intruders, or defend against larger animals.

Collecting water

Screen mesh may collect condensation. This effect has been used to collect water from fog.[5]

Decoration

Screen painting is a folk art consisting of paintings on window screens. It is also possible to print images directly onto fiberglass screen cloth using specially designed inkjet printers.

Fabric types

The most common materials used for the mesh of window screens are aluminum and fiberglass. Aluminum is generally available in natural aluminum or in an applied black or charcoal color, which make the screening less visible. Fiberglass is available in light gray as well as charcoal colors, the charcoal again offering better viewing and appearance. Fiberglass is less expensive, and has the advantage of not "denting" when hit or pushed, but it is somewhat more opaque than aluminum. For this reason, dark aluminum allows a better view of windows from the exterior, detracting less than fiberglass from the architectural effect of traditional divided-light window styles.

For applications requiring greater strength, such as screened doors (which have a larger area than windows), nylon and polyester screening is often used. However, these materials are not generally used for smaller applications such as window screens.[6]

Bronze insect screening is much more expensive, but gives much longer service than either aluminum or fiberglass. When first installed, it has a bright gold color; this weathers to an unobtrusive dark charcoal within a year or less. Weathered bronze darkens the external appearance of windows to approximately the same degree as charcoal or black aluminum. Bronze is somewhat more resistant to denting than aluminum. Less common screen fabrics include copper, brass, stainless steel, and galvanized steel. For coastal locations, corrosion resistance usually requires the use of bronze or synthetic screening fabric.

Some manufacturers offer screening that promise to substantially reduce the visibility of the screening. Several manufacturers offer screens that roll into a pocket when not in use. These are available for casement windows as well as other types of window and door openings.

Do-it-yourself screen and frame replacement kits are widely available at hardware and home improvement stores. One kind is composed of straight aluminum sides (which can be cut to size) and plastic corner inserts. Screen replacement kits usually consist of a roll of nylon screening fabric and a generous supply of rubber spline.

In addition to insect screening, denser screen types that also reduce sunlight and heat gain are available. These offer significant potential energy savings in hot climates.[citation needed] Other manufacturers offer screens designed to filter for pollen and dust.

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Temporary, removable screens that fit within window tracks of double-hung windows are a common expedient widely available in hardware and home improvement stores. Typically 30 to 76 centimetres (12 to 30 in) high, these screens are wedged beneath the lower sash of a double-hung window and secured laterally by the tracks of the window. A sliding mechanism allows the screen to be adjusted laterally to fit the width of most windows, which also allows the screen to fit securely within the tracks below the open sash.

Screen sizes

Typically, metal screen frames (roll form) are 6.4 mm (1'4 in), 7.9 mm (5'16 in), 9.5 mm (3'8 in) or 11 mm (7'16 in) in thickness by 19 mm (3'4 in) and 25 mm (1 in). The most common sizes are 7.9 mm (5'16 in) and 11 mm (7'16 in) by 19 mm (3'4 in). The 6.4 mm (1'4 in) and 7.9 mm (5'16 in) sizes are generally used for single hung windows, while the two larger sizes are used for double hung windows. As 9.5 mm (3'8 in) is not a common size, the 7.9 mm (5'16 in) thickness may be used instead and shimmed as needed. They come in a variety of colors including unpainted, white, bronze, tan, black, desert sand, etc. The screen may also include a crossbar for added strength.

Fiberglass screen material is typically available in 30 m (100 ft) rolls in varying widths, from 46 to 305 cm (18 to 120 in) wide. Aluminum screen material is available in 30 m (100 ft) rolls except the range of available widths is less than for the more commonly used fiberglass. The fineness of a screen mesh is measured in wires per inch on the warp (length) and the weft or filler (width). An 18×14 mesh has become standard; 16×16 was formerly common and other common sizes are 18×18 and 20×20. For comparison, a typical screen in a clothes dryer has a nylon 23x23 mesh screen.

Fiberglass solar screens provide over 75% of UV protection, by using thicker strands and a closer mesh than regular 18x14 fiberglass window screening. There is some reduction in visibility, but this can be advantageous, since solar screens are difficult to see through from the outside, while easier to see through from the inside.

Finer meshes have been developed to prevent very small insects, often called "noseeums" from flying through. The finer mesh screens are also used to prevent pollens and allergens from entering homes in order to control allergic reactions.

Gallery

• A pierced window screen brings light into the mandapa at Manikesvara Temple in Lakkundi, Lakkundi

• A window with an insect screen

• Sailors assigned to the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) replace a protective window screen at Kalalake Elementary School during a community service project

See also

Notes

History of the Window Screen

Window screens are some of the things, like carpet, the light bulb, and other everyday items and materials that go unnoticed by most. Window screens have been assimilated into our everyday life since before we were born and would hardly give them a second thought until we have to bear the nuisance of pests that make their way into our space due to the lack of screens; or, we may give window screens a thought when we are forced to buy replacement window screen frames or window screen material.

It's hard to believe that there was a time when there were not screens and it's also amusing to think of something such as window screen material being invented. But, like all the various everyday conveniences that we take for granted in our first-world lives, window screens had to be invented and they added more than just convenience to our lives.

Beginnings

The invention of window screen material is not clear. The American Farmer speaks of 'woven wire' for window screens in and an advertisement is seen in the edition of Boyd's Blue Book. Though some screens were seen before this, the company Gilbert and Bennett is credited with it's invention. During the Civil War, Gilbert and Bennett was unable to sell their products to the South. To save their company and the woven wire material they had, they began painting the wire so it wouldn't rust. They began selling their painted wire mesh as window screen and window screens grew in popularity

On the Railroad

The company Bayley and McCluckey was the first to file for the patent for window screens on passenger railroad cars. The window screen material keep cinders, sparks, and dust out of the passenger cars, allowing for passengers to have a more pleasant and safe trip.

Window Screens As Art

Artists saw the window screen material as an opportunity for artistic expression. Using the window screen material, artists would paint landscape scenes on the screens and these painted screens not only keep bugs and other annoyances out of homes, but also acted as privacy windows.

Window Screen to the Rescue

Before the widespread use of window screens, most people had to suffer through months and months of mosquitoes, flies, other pests flying in and around their house. With these pests came diseases. The widespread use of window screens helped bring about the eradication of many diseases that plagued early America and are now mostly unheard of. It's interested to think something so simple made such a big difference in modern society and eliminated much of the things that plagued early-Americans.

Modern Window Screen Material

Today, it is very rare that homes, apartments, and other living spaces aren't outfitted with window screens. Thanks to modern technology, there are more options for the window screen material outfitting your windows. You can pick window screen material that fits the needs of your home and your lifestyle. Window screen material is now made out of aluminum, fiberglass, copper, PVC, and more.

Metro Screenworks: Quality Window Screen Material

Are you looking for quality window screen material to replace old torn screens, for your home building project, or to finally screen in your porch? We can guarantee we have just what you need. Not only do we see every kind of window screen material, but we sell window screen material in various roll sizes and lengths as well as custom window screens premade.

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