Dear Jim: My old back screen door looks bad, doesn't fit well and lets mosquitoes in. Also, I would like screens over the front door, but most screen doors are ugly. What options do I have for bug-free ventilation? - Jean D.
Dear Jean: Improving ventilation instead of air-conditioning can lower your utility bills and often improve indoor air quality. If more people had relied on natural ventilation a few weeks ago and controlled peak electricity demand, perhaps the huge blackout could have been avoided.
You basically have two options: 1) install new decorative screen doors or 2) install retractable screens that disappear when the door is closed. Installing tight-fitting screens and screen doors is more important than ever with so many cases of West Nile virus occurring from mosquito bites.
It sounds as if adding retractable screens over your doors is the best, reasonably priced option. Some designs are only dealer installed and others are available in do-it-yourself kits. These retractable kits are considerably less expensive than installing new decorative screen doors.
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Most retractable screen systems operate in a similar manner. A narrow tubular housing (cassette) is mounted vertically on the door frame. One small aluminum track is attached to the floor and one to the top of the door opening. A magnetic latch is attached on the other side of the door opening.
When you open your door to go in or out or just for ventilation, pull the handle on the screen coiled up in the cassette. It unrolls from the cassette and latches on the other side with the magnetic latch. There is slight spring tension on the screening to keep it taut and attractive.
There are quality differences among the various designs available and some include a lifetime warranty (except for the screen fabric). Replacement screening kits are available because any screen will wear out over time. The best ones are barely noticeable and would be ideal for your front door.
Some kits use ball bearings in the cassette for smooth operation. A pile lining inserted in the latching edge of the screen creates a bug-free seal. Reinforcing nylon strips along the upper and lower edges of the screen can increase its life substantially. Much of the wear occurs in the tracks. A similar design for windows is a retractable screen that automatically covers the window when you open it and retracts again when you close the window.
Larger motorized retractable screens can cover a balcony or porch.
You can select among various types of screening for the kit. Popular ones are glare and heat control screens and strong pet-resistant screens.
Write for (instantly download - http://www.dulley.com ) Update Bulletin No. 813 - buyer's guide of 12 add-on retractable door/window screening kit and special screening manufacturers showing types, sizes, colors, features, diagrams, and prices. Please include $3.00 and a business-size SASE.
James Dulley, Newspaper Name, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244**
If your neighbors' homes have termites, yours could too
Dear Jim: I probably should have my house treated for termites. Some of my neighbors' homes have termites, but I have not found any in mine. Are the repellent or nonrepellent types of termite treatment better? - Steve C.
Dear Steve: If your neighbors' houses have termites, yours probably does also. You just have not found them yet. You should plan on spending from $1,000 to $2,000 to have your house treated properly.
The nonrepellent types of treatments, such as Premise and Termidor, are more effective because the termites crawl through it and then die. With repellent treatments, the termites sense it and may find a gap in the barrier around your foundation.
