What are Insect Screens?

Insect screens are a mesh ‘barrier’ that usually cover a window or door opening and prevent insects from entering the home. Most insect screens can be fixed on the inside or outside of a property depending on which way your doors or windows open, and they allow fresh air to circulate while keeping insects out.

The mesh itself can be made from metal, fiberglass, plastic, or PVC-coated fibreglass which is then stretched across a frame of wood or metal. This completed framed screen can be in a fixed panel or can retract or roll up into a cassette – much like a blind – so that it disappears when not in use.

Insect mesh comes in many different forms of ‘openness’ some with slightly larger holes than others. It is worth considering what your needs are when looking at insect mesh and making sure that the bugs can’t get through.

For example, in certain parts of the UK there are more small midges that might be able to get through a ‘standard’ insect mesh. So, it’s worth asking for a sample of the mesh from your supplier before you commit to buying them. The smaller the mesh size, the better the protection against insects. However, a smaller mesh size will also reduce the amount of airflow through the screen, so always discuss your insect screen needs carefully with your supplier.

Where to use insect screens

Insect screens are most commonly used in areas where people prepare food, eat, sleep or congregate for any length of time. They are very popular in commercial kitchens – restaurants, hotels, and pubs – and in fact it is a legal obligation to prevent flies from entering public food preparation areas.

As temperatures increase in the UK, more and more people are opting to open their windows for longer and are seeking ways to keep insects out of their homes. Insect screens are an increasingly popular choice – especially in kitchens where flies and mosquitoes can pose a health risk.

The additional impacts of a warming climate include an increase in the number of stinging and biting insects who thrive on hotter weather – increasing the need for some kind of insect protection at home.

At nighttime, moths, mosquitoes and other flying insects are attracted by light and can quickly find their way into bedrooms. Fitting insect screens on bedroom windows is therefore a sensible way to prevent insects bothering you at night, and improving ventilation – keeping the room cooler for better sleep.

There are many other benefits to using insect screens, including:

• They can help to reduce noise levels, especially from insects such as cicadas and crickets.
• They can reduce the amount of pollen that enters the house, helping to reduce the impacts of hay fever.
• They can help to keep your home cooler in the summer, by promoting airflow – particularly at night.
• They eliminate the need for harmful chemical sprays or unsightly electric zappers.

Insect screens are a simple and effective way of keeping insects out of your home. They are available in a variety of materials, frame colours (some to match your existing frames) and mesh sizes, so you can choose the right screen for your needs.

Here are some additional tips for choosing and installing insect screens:

• Make sure the door or window opening is measured accurately – preferably by the supplier – to ensure the screen fits perfectly.
• Ensure the insect screen is properly installed so that there are no gaps or holes for insects to find their way in.
• Inspect the screen regularly for damage and discuss any repairs with your supplier. Tougher PVC coated fibreglass mesh is the most long-lasting tear-resistant type available today.
• Clean the screen regularly to remove dirt, debris, and insect bodies.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your insect screens will provide years of reliable protection from insects.