On a hot summer's night there is something timeless about sleeping with the windows open even if the night air is hot. Air conditioning creates a cool chamber for sleeping but leaving the window open is reminiscent of days gone by. And when you see the crowd of bugs scrambling around on the outside of the screen it's good to know that there is something man-made helping out your natural experience.

Like window glass, screens are another household item that we take for granted. Screens began in their present form in the 1830's in the U.S. as sieves for straining and sorting The Civil War ended the huge market in the south for one Connecticut sieve-maker leaving him with a large inventory of sieve material. The popular belief is that they sold it off in sheets to be used on windows and doors for security purposes and the idea took off. Almost every opening in the home was considered for the material and soon the screen became a staple, especially in hot areas where insects plagued the population and diseases like malaria were rampant.

For many households in the 20^th Century screens were either a seasonal add-on to the window -clipping on the frame in the summer in the same manner that storm windows were in the winter - or as a partial piece propped under an open window. With the newer model of metal windows the screen became an important part of the frame and could be slid in and out for cleaning and repair.

Traditional Screens

1) Fixed/Removable

These were the first variety of screens and can still be seen on old homes in rural areas. Made of metal they were durable and could take beating even from an errant baseball. In warmer areas they were left on the frame but in cold areas they were switched out when the storm windows were hung. Because they were made so thick they were an impediment to visibility.

2) Removable

This newer generation of window and door screen was a fiberglass product which was lighter and more transparent. In addition, aluminum replaced the old wooden frames. Rather than using the old twist holders these screens could be slid into existing frames, put on the outside of the winow with magnetic clips or set in the frame with spring-loaded pegs. Metal screens were still being made but fiberglass was gaining ground. It was cheaper and the large pieces were easy to replace with a “cord spline and groove” design that was now the installation norm in the new metal frames. Homeowners could now fix their own screens and did not have to wait for the glass shop or hardware store to do it.

3) Adjustable

Adjustable screens were originally made of wood but vinyl has since taken its place. They are placed over the window opening and pulled apart until the proper width is reached. These are good for homes with old windows.

Retractable Screens Cover More Than Windows

Although the design has been out for years the newest screen product to make a splash is the retractable model. There are many different kinds but the main feature is that they fulfill the needs of the household and then tuck away neatly out of harm's way. This has made a big difference to screened, patio doors. The old models had a sliding screen which was prone to sticking if the runners got dirty or getting torn because the surface was always exposed. And fixing a large screened door is more of a chore than just a window and many homeowners just used to put a patch on it which took away from the aesthetics of the home and garden view.

Most retractable screens work like a roller blind placed on its side. The roller mechanism is held in a long case which blends into the design of the jam. The only part visible is the screen handle. When the homeowner wants the screen to cover the area the handle is pulled and the screen extends over to the far jam where it is held in place by magnets. You can even get double screens that meet in the middle. For windows, the screen is attached to the inside edge of the top jam much like a roller blind.

In addition, the screens can be positioned to filter out unwanted sun and still offer a great vista. And unlike their sliding predecessors these new screens come in a variety of colors to blend with the home and can take the punishment of an accidental blow.

For more information on the installation of retractable screens and other types of windows and doors contact Renovation Experts.