Temporary Window Screens: Inexpensive & DIY
For the last several months my husband and I have had fans in our windows at all times. We had a hard time getting any breeze in them, but because the fans were in place, we hadn’t had a problem with bugs and mosquitoes coming in. As the temperatures dropped this past weekend, we removed the fans and all sorts of creepy crawly and flying friends came in, so it was time for some screens! Off to the hardware store we went!
Not wanting to create permanent screens for the windows (we’d like to change them out within the year), we took a more down and dirty, super inexpensive route. This option would also be great for renters that don’t want to purchase collapsible screens that won’t be the right size the next time they move.
All we did was head to the hardware store. There are all different types of screening available and usually there’s a chart nearby to tell you what each type does or why they’re different. We chose a charcoal fiberglass screen that has super small holes to help keep out things that might bite us! The additional bonus is that it’s hard to see, so you can’t tell in the slightest that we don’t have a permanent solution to this problem unless you’re right up close.
The screen simply rolls out and you trim it to fit. We stapled ours directly into the casing. You could make a temporary frame if you desire (or just plan on patching a few holes before you move out if you’re a renter). You could use less staples than we did, just make sure you have a friend or family member on hand to help stretch the screen tight.
Even though it’s not a professional choice, we’re still glad we kept the cost down (a whole $6 for screen and staples) and created the solution we needed to keep us mosquito bite and moth free all night long! There’s still a bit of trimming to do…along with 12 more windows, but slow and steady wins the race right?
Image: Sarah Rae Trover