I need to re-screen a small porch. Since I'd like to use 9' wide screen to
minimize the framework, I looked beyond the local big boxes and found the
Phifer web site (and hope that a local building supply will be able to
order what I want). http://phifer.com (Flash is obligatory). But they show
a bewildering variety of products, though I've narrowed it down a lot:

Black vs gray: would I be correct that black would appear less prominent,
at least for looking out, but that gray would let in more light?

Any idea what their BetterVue screen actually looks like, and whether it
does what they claim? Which is basically that it looks better looking out
or in.

I think I have eliminated the other products from consideration -- I
considered investigating the PetScreen because there are raccoons around --
but decided I don't need it enough to compromise on esthetics.

Anything else I should be considering? Are there other manufacturers I
should be looking at?

If I don't get back to look at comments right away, I apologize -- my wife
was expecting to enjoy the results of this project, and it has come to pass
that she is not going to survive to see it completed. ;-(

Edward

Edward Reid wrote:
> I need to re-screen a small porch. Since I'd like to use 9' wide
> screen to minimize the framework, I looked beyond the local big boxes
> and found the Phifer web site (and hope that a local building supply
> will be able to order what I want). http://phifer.com (Flash is
> obligatory). But they show a bewildering variety of products, though
> I've narrowed it down a lot:
>
> Black vs gray: would I be correct that black would appear less
> prominent, at least for looking out, but that gray would let in more
> light?

I don't think color would affect light transmission; that is a function of 
the size of the openings which is determined not only by the opening size 
but the thread diameter.
_________________

> Any idea what their BetterVue screen actually looks like, and whether
> it does what they claim? Which is basically that it looks better
> looking out or in.

I'm sure it will do what they say.  It has smaller openings - which can be 
good - but appears to have thinner "threads" which would decrease 
durability.

Charcoal may look better from the exterior - less of a black hole look - but 
my personal preference is for standard black fiberglass.  Some small insects 
can get through but not many and the increased durability over fine threads 
is desireable IMO.  Either color works OK looking out.

Aluminum is more durable but considerably harder to handle IME.


-- 

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

"Edward Reid" wrote

>I need to re-screen a small porch. Since I'd like to use 9' wide screen to
> minimize the framework, I looked beyond the local big boxes and found the

Screen material is cut to fit.  We use 36in wide as that's the max of the 
posts here (all wood).  If you feel like thread hunting back, about 2 years 
ago I took a fellow though this from ground zero to finished job with all 
the time saving tips.  We redo ours peopdically and it takes the 3 of us 
less than 30 mins per 'window' including cutting the trim wood to secure the 
screen.  Screened porch is 13ft x 44ft.

I can walk you though it though here if you will describe your porch.  Round 
or flat wood for example to attach to?  (round is not easy and mine are all 
flat surfaces).

> Black vs gray: would I be correct that black would appear less prominent,
> at least for looking out, but that gray would let in more light?

Correct.  It's more a matter of esthetics.  Ours is a dark grey.

> Any idea what their BetterVue screen actually looks like, and whether it
> does what they claim? Which is basically that it looks better looking out
> or in.

Nope, but then with our pets, we use the easy and cheap fiberglass sort. 
Upscaling wouldnt make it last longer and it's easy to work with.

> If I don't get back to look at comments right away, I apologize -- my wife
> was expecting to enjoy the results of this project, and it has come to 
> pass
> that she is not going to survive to see it completed. ;-(

Sorry to hear that Ed. 

Well, I'm finally back, sad and lonely. Changes of plans have directed
my decision to a dark screen for reasons I was not considering before.
My wife did a sculpture about 25 years ago which I've moved onto the
porch, with the result that I want the darker screen, with as few
supports as possible, to minimize distracting background:

http://paleo.org/memorial/gallery-angels/index.html

Although the main photo was taken at night with flash, you can see the
large clump of bamboo in the background. That's one of the
distractions that needs minimizing. (The cast iron plants at the
bottom have been removed.)

I have bought an 8'x25' and a 5'x25' roll to cover the area. Where
they join, just above the heads in the sculpture, I'll using something
like fishing line to join them to avoid a more obvious support.

cshenk mentioned that it would help if I gave a better description of
the porch. I've drawn out the dimensions at

http://paleo.org/private/porch_screen.png

Note that one of the posts is a corner -- the left panel is at a 90
degree angle to the other two panels. It's shown from the inside.

The posts are 4x4. One end has a 2x4 to attach the screen to. At the
other end, I need to add a support, probably a 2x2. At the top are
2x8s. Nothing rounded.

So I think I have a plan. I may need a few extra hands for stretching
the screen ...

Edward

On Sun, 27 Jun 2010 01:59:14 -0400, Edward Reid
<e...@paleoNOTTHIS.org.NOTTHIS> wrote:
>I need to re-screen a small porch. Since I'd like to use 9' wide screen to
>minimize the framework, I looked beyond the local big boxes and found the
>Phifer web site (and hope that a local building supply will be able to
>order what I want). http://phifer.com (Flash is obligatory). But they show
>a bewildering variety of products, though I've narrowed it down a lot:
>
>Black vs gray: would I be correct that black would appear less prominent,
>at least for looking out, but that gray would let in more light?
>
>Any idea what their BetterVue screen actually looks like, and whether it
>does what they claim? Which is basically that it looks better looking out
>or in.
>
>I think I have eliminated the other products from consideration -- I
>considered investigating the PetScreen because there are raccoons around --
>but decided I don't need it enough to compromise on esthetics.
>
>Anything else I should be considering? Are there other manufacturers I
>should be looking at?
>
>If I don't get back to look at comments right away, I apologize -- my wife
>was expecting to enjoy the results of this project, and it has come to pass
>that she is not going to survive to see it completed. ;-(
>
>Edward

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:14:06 -0400, Edward Reid
<e...@paleo.org.invalid> wrote:

>I have bought an 8'x25' and a 5'x25' roll to cover the area. Where
>they join, just above the heads in the sculpture, I'll using something
>like fishing line to join them to avoid a more obvious support.


Just be sure you use the factory bound edges and not a cut edge.
The screen will unravel at a cut edge.
I still worry this may not work but it is worth a shot.

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:05:27 -0400, g...@aol.com wrote:
>Just be sure you use the factory bound edges and not a cut edge.
>The screen will unravel at a cut edge.
>I still worry this may not work but it is worth a shot.

Good point, thanks. I will make sure to arrange that. And if it
doesn't work, I'll add a thin support. I'd rather not, but it wouldn't
be the end of the world.

Edward

"Edward Reid" wrote
> gfretwell wrote:

>>Just be sure you use the factory bound edges and not a cut edge.
>>The screen will unravel at a cut edge.
>>I still worry this may not work but it is worth a shot.
>
> Good point, thanks. I will make sure to arrange that. And if it
> doesn't work, I'll add a thin support. I'd rather not, but it wouldn't
> be the end of the world.

I'm thinking of things that would work here.  Fishing line (even the 
smallest test) may be too thick.  What you want it almost like dental floss 
(but in grey or dye it grey).  Regular thread would degrade too fast from 
the elements.

3 other thoughts.

-A light clear or grey plastic in a thin line with tiny holes applied to the 
outside (not as visible when inside).
-Overlap the screen by at least 2 inches and 'sew' it neatly.
-All else fails, thin 'slat wood'.  This is stuff about 1 inch x 1/4 inch 
and can be found in 8ft sections (not sure of longer so may have to piece 
it).  You'd paint this to match the screen as closely as possible.  You can 
then actually either 'glue' the screen on with clear acrylic or hold a brick 
or something to the back and use a staple gun (paint the stables grey when 
done so they don't stand out).

On Wed, 22 Sep 2010 17:17:22 -0400, "cshenk" <c...@cox.net> wrote:
> Fishing line (even the smallest test) may be too thick.

Hmm. I've seen fishing line that ... well, I mean I've seen spools of
fishing line where I can barely see the line once it's off the spool.
Anyway, I'll look around.

The overlap is a good issue to think about. If I overlap, the seam is
going to be darker, just as if I'd put a support behind it. So I don't
want that. The only serious bug problem (since this is just a porch,
not a window) is mosquitoes. Florida mosquitoes are fairly easy to
keep out.

Thanks for all the ideas. Lots to ponder when I'm wandering around in
the stores. I ponder as I wander.

Edward