Screens?

[cabinetman]

Our daughter and SIL spent time in the UK, and made a comment that window screens aren't that common there. Some there call them "fly screens". Here in Florida, unless you run the A/C full time and don't open windows there's not much of a problem. But, if you open windows without screens your home will get overwhelmed with insects.

So, do you have window screens, or aren't the insects a problem?

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[conwaygolfer]

We use screens here in SC., but usually only open the windows in the Spring and Fall. Too hot or cold otherswise.

Conwaygolfer

[billwmeyer]

I use screens here in Kansas. Spring and fall we have the windows open a lot. No screens means house full of bugs, especially house flies. The fly swatter was invented in Weir, so you can see the need for screens here.

Bill

[dbhost]

You can open windows?

[natausch]

Last week we've had our windows open overnight. Normal 1/2 screen in vinyl window.

The main issue in Europe with screens is that
1. Significantly less insects (don't know why, but not nearly the same issue)
2. Non-standard window sizes. Read about this awhile back on LJ, basically in Europe most houses pre-date standardized window framing, so having a window put in is a custom, I can imagine that it is expensive enough with the custom pane and unusual construction material; forget about trying to install a screen or storm window which is also custom.

[RAFlorida]

Mike, just like you,

window screens are a must or you're overrun with ALL the flying, crawling, slithering THINGS! Being in the Green Swamp has it's blessing, but AC and the once-in-a-while opened windows...

[cork58]

We use them here in Alaska.

[Mr__Bill]

Here on the coast of the Pacific Northwest there are almost no insects. The wind blows them all over the mountains to places like where BlackWalnut lives, and of course the rest of the country. We do have screens though, have to have them to keep the cat in and the spiders out.


Bill
on the left coast

[BobSch]

I use screens here in Kansas. Spring and fall we have the windows open a lot. No screens means house full of bugs, especially house flies..

Bill

Need them up here too. I don't wan t to think of a house full of mosquitoes.

[paultnl]

Last week we've had our windows open overnight. Normal 1/2 screen in vinyl window.

The main issue in Europe with screens is that
1. Significantly less insects (don't know why, but not nearly the same issue)
2. Non-standard window sizes. Read about this awhile back on LJ, basically in Europe most houses pre-date standardized window framing, so having a window put in is a custom, I can imagine that it is expensive enough with the custom pane and unusual construction material; forget about trying to install a screen or storm window which is also custom.

I am in the UK but lived in Florida for a few years so understand the usefulness of screens but feel the need to correct a few things.

1. I do not believe there is a significant difference in the insect population between Europe and the US. However, there are differences in type.
2. The European window industry is set up for "custom" production so there is no premium added to costs.
The "unusual construction material" common to most European buildings is masonry or brick and as such not subject to insect attack, therefore people are less bothered by a few insects entering the building.

In my experience, US construction is very temporary and has built in obsolescence. I once had a salesman in Florida try to sell me a roof with a "Lifetime" guarantee, when pressed he admitted that it was limited to 30 years. He could not understand that in Europe we expect our great grandchildren to be using whatever we install today.

[RodKirby]

"Fly screens" are pretty much standard in Oz.

(At least in Melbourne) we rarely need A/C for cooling.

[Pappy]

Yep. Need to redo all mine this summer since we can't open the windows anyway.

[LCHIEN]

I'm with Dave H. We don't open windows much as its either too hot or too cold. When the weather is perfect (two weeks a year) that's when the plants all bloom and then there's too much pollen so we keep the windows closed to hold down allergies and keep the yellow dust off everything.

If we do open the windows the mosquitoes will come and carry you off. We have to limit the time a door can be open here in the summer because you will lose about 10,000 btus of cool air thru an open door in 10 seconds and allow about 12 mosquitoes in. Of course right now we only let in about 5 mosquitoes per door event because its been so dry the mosquitoes aren't reproducing so fast.

The birds have chewed up my screens anyway. The little chickadees - sparrows like to rip at the plastic fibers of the screen to take them and line their nests. This wasn't a problem for about 10 years then they suddenly learned about screens and tore them all up. I've taken down most of the screens for bird damage since we don't use them anyway.

[JoeyGee]

I have spent the last few weekends repairing and/or replacing most of our screens. It's actually been kind of a fun little project. Most summers we can open the windows almost all summer. This summer was too much until the last few days. It's been great sleeping with the windows open again.

[cabinetman]

If we do open the windows the mosquitoes will come and carry you off. We have to limit the time a door can be open here in the summer because you will lose about 10,000 btus of cool air thru an open door in 10 seconds and allow about 12 mosquitoes in. Of course right now we only let in about 5 mosquitoes per door event because its been so dry the mosquitoes aren't reproducing so fast.

Opening a door here may let out more mosquitoes than get in.

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