Facts on Window Screens

Window screens are designed to cover windows and doorways in order to protect homes from the invasion of insects and other pests. Window screens, however, have become standard in most houses, even in areas where the mosquito population is almost nonexistent.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

History

1. Window screens have been sold in the U.S. since 1861, when manufacturers of wire mesh sieves realized the material could have other applications and came up with the idea of a screen.

Types

2. Depending on their primary function, window screens are also known as mosquito screens, insect screen or fly nets, as well as other names that reference the material used to make the screen, such as nylon, aluminum or rolling screens.

Features

3. Most screens are installed on aluminum frames and either stapled or pressed into the sides of the frame, depending on the material used for both the frame and the screen itself.

Identification

4. The material used to make the screen can be chosen to produce a somewhat aesthetic effect, like in the case of fiberglass, which is opaque and can reduce the amount of light coming through, or aluminum, which can be painted on without much difficulty.

Considerations

5. Screens can also be used in doorways or wall openings, in which case a rolling screen is more useful, as this can be rolled out of the way as needed.