If you love to keep your home's windows or patio door wall open, but don't want to be bothered by unwanted pests and insects, you might consider having flyscreens installed. Flyscreens, unlike standard window screens or screen doors, retract and open completely, either folding out of the way or sliding into a cassette. Not only can this give you an easy option for completely opening the screen when you want fresh air through a window or door, but this also makes flyscreens a good choice for a window that provides emergency egress from a room, as a flyscreen is easier to open than a standard window screen.
When you start shopping for flyscreens, you might notice several rolling or opening options, which can make choosing the right flyscreen for your home very difficult. To ensure you find the best rolling option for your needs, note a few quick tips for making your selection.
Roll up versus roll away
Retractable flyscreens might roll into a cassette, just like a roller shade; however, unlike a shade, a flyscreen cassette can be located to the side of a doorframe, and not just at the top. Note that a roll up system typically doesn't need a bottom track, and this can be a good option for patio doors where you want to avoid a tripping hazard. The side-to-side option is good for those who may have limited reach, and who can't easily access a cassette at the top of a window or door.
Also, consider what type of protection you might need inside the home, as this will affect the direction of the screen you choose. As an example, you might want to partially open a flyscreen in front of a patio door, but ensure the screen still protects the furnished area inside the home. A roll away or side-to-side screen will still offer protection to the inside the home, even when the screen is partially open.
Pleated and multi-lock
Pleated flyscreens don't actually roll into a cassette, but push to one side and fold up like an accordion. These screens can be good for those with limited physical dexterity, as you don't need to rely on the spring action of the cassette to open a pleated screen.
Multi-lock screens roll away, but have various locking points along their upper track. This allows you to open the screen as much or as little as needed, and then lock it into place, and the screen then won't slide around or move in high winds.