Look! Copper Window Screens

Our friend Dave over at local blog "And Now, Anacostia" noticed that two recipients of the Historic Homeowners Grant Program in his neighborhood have restored their houses complete with copper window screens....

Using copper window screens is a great way to maintain the integrity of your historic restoration. Not only are they attractive, but their use goes back to the the early part of the 20th century, when copper was just about the only material used for window screens.

Copper is a perfect screen material because it is not affected by atmospheric corrosion, salt air and brine. This makes it ideal for coastal locations. While it is considerably more expensive then fiberglass or aluminum, for example, it holds up extremely well. Though copper will lose its warm color over time and take on a bluish hue that will eventually blacken, don’t let the color deceive you - it's a very durable material.

Comments (12)

I'm sure they'll be very pretty once they've verdigris-d...

...but posting this on a blog is pretty dumb - I predict they'll be stolen for scrap-metal value within a year.

posted by bepsf on October 23rd 2008 at 12:43pm
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They give an unusual feel to the house, nice.

posted by Daniel Poitiers on October 23rd 2008 at 12:59pm
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it looks like the windows are boarded up from the inside. not good looking at all IMO.

posted by Matt. M on October 23rd 2008 at 1:19pm
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I like the sparkly sheen. If you need to have screens obscuring your clean windows, why not do something original?

posted by ChristopherB on October 23rd 2008 at 1:31pm
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bepsf--i was going to make that exact point! just wait til the meth heads break in and steal the screens for drug money..

posted by animalhouze on October 23rd 2008 at 2:24pm
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Eh, you wouldn't get much money for those at all, copper is worth about 1.80 a pound, so even if you stole all of those, you are looking at less than 10 bucks. Probably not even worth the effort or the cost in gas.

posted by itsmikethomas on October 23rd 2008 at 4:17pm
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If the meth heads were going to steal the screens...they'd probably be better off taking the TV and flatware instead (It would be easier and more $). But, I'm going to bet that this is a pretty nice neighborhood. I think the screens look great and will age beautifully.

posted by Mrs.B on October 23rd 2008 at 6:33pm
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so that's what it is. there is this house i've passed a couple of times and i couldn't figure out how or why the windows were glowing. they must have copper screens! it looks really awesome in person.

posted by brand-eye on October 24th 2008 at 2:30am
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I'd imagine that they act as faraday cages, too, stopping mobile phone and wi-fi connections. Good for all of you kids wearing your foil hats.

posted by Shane_ on October 24th 2008 at 4:55am
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It will be sad when they are stolen.

posted by saja on October 24th 2008 at 5:14am
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You can put some type of lacquer or something on them if you want to keeop the copper color. Also--put them on the inside of the window to elminate theft.

posted by dandy on October 24th 2008 at 5:44am
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You don't have to break in to steal a screen. Yes, scrapping is very prevalent, but I doubt they read AT blogs ;)

posted by Lizzykewl on October 20th 2009 at 11:40am
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