Mosquito net on windows: choose a ready-made one or do it yourself

Recommendation points

• Purpose of a mosquito net
• Types of window mosquito nets
• DIY mosquito net
• How to choose a mosquito net
• How to care for a mosquito net during use

In this Article: Using a Mosquito Net types of mosquito nets for windows; how to make your own mosquito net with Velcro fastening; do-it-yourself frame mosquito net; how to choose a mosquito net; durable window mesh “anti-cat”; mosquito net maintenance.

With the onset of warm spring days, our homes enjoy increased attention from the army of insects, who certainly want to explore new territories. And everything would be fine if these insects did not interfere with us annoyingly sleeping in the morning with open windows, like flies, and did not try to use our bodies as blood donors, which is typical of mosquitoes and midges. You can, of course, count on all sorts of fumigators and other chemical means to combat flying aggressors, but the most reliable means of protection will be only a mosquito net on the windows.

Purpose of a mosquito net

The mesh with small cells, covering the window openings or suspended above the bed, was used by the most ancient civilizations of our planet thousands of years ago – it is known that the last queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, slept under a canopy of fine mesh.

The mosquito net has become a part of our civilization and received its stable name not so long ago – in the 18th century. Using such a grid correctly, i.e. completely cutting off the external atmosphere from the air space inside the rooms, households are completely protected from the visit of mosquitoes, flies and other insects that act as carriers of various diseases.

Mosquito nets (mosquito nets) are made from polyethylene, cotton, nylon, fiberglass or polyester. To prevent mosquitoes and flies from entering the living quarters, the size of the mesh in the mosquito net should be no more than 1.2 mm, its smaller size – 0.6 mm – will stop smaller insects, for example, midges. An absolute obstacle for any insects will be a mosquito net impregnated with insecticides that are safe for humans and pets, which include drugs from the pyrethroid group – permethrin or deltamerin. Such insecticides not only prevent insects from entering the dwelling, they kill them – the effectiveness of a mosquito net treated with insecticides is twice as high as that of an untreated one, while the material of the mesh should be impregnated with these preparations only twice a year.

The mosquito net is an insurmountable barrier for insects, however, overlapping window and door openings with it reduces the amount of fresh air entering through them – sleeping in rooms where windows and doors are taken away with a mosquito net will be hot, because despite the presence of cells, the mesh still reduces air access and that is why you should not use gauze to protect against insects.

In addition to its main task of creating an obstacle for insects, a mosquito net is able to block or seriously reduce the penetration of dust, pollen and fluff into the room, which allows you to create a more comfortable atmosphere for households prone to allergies.

Types of window mosquito nets

The mosquito nets offered by the manufacturers of window constructions are subdivided into fixed (adhesive) tape, frame, sliding, roll and pleated nets. Consider the design and characteristics of each of them.

It is easiest for households to install a mosquito net on a tenacious Velcro tape – it is fixed inside the window opening, does not interfere with closing and opening the window sashes. The mesh, fixed on a tape with hooks, is easy to remove and install back, it is easy to clean, and the absence of a rigid frame allows you to install such mosquito protection inside a window opening of any shape and size. The service life of such an anti-mosquito barrier will be more than two years, subject to careful handling, in addition, there is no need to look for a place to store the mosquito net removed from the window during the cold season – it easily takes a compact form.

Mosquito nets on a removable frame made of aluminum or plastic profiles are quite common. It’s all about the simplicity of their installation, which allows installation not only on plastic or aluminum frames, but also on wooden ones, and without any serious damage to the window structure. The most convenient frame for a mosquito net will be made of aluminum, since this metal is much stronger than plastic and is lightweight. Frame mosquito nets can be external (external) and installed inside the window opening. The frame of the outer mesh is usually attached to special corners, which make it easy to install and remove. The corners for attaching the mosquito net frame must be installed before the actual installation of the window frame, since it will not be easy to install them after this operation. When attaching the corners, it is important not to be mistaken with the place of their installation, otherwise they will fall under the window quarter – a part of the window frame, inserted into the grooves in the window opening – and it will not work to expose the window frame. The mosquito net in the frame, placed inside the window opening, can be installed regardless of the time of installation of the window frame – it is wound inside the skylight and attached with short metal hooks to the window profile along its inner perimeter. Unlike external mosquito nets, especially if one of the window sashes is blind, the nets installed inside the window opening in the frames can be easily dismantled. The average cost of a frame mosquito net is 800 rubles. per m².

Sliding mosquito nets can only be installed on aluminum window frames with sliding sashes, they can repeat all the positions into which the window sashes are translated. The principle by which sliding mosquito nets work is completely similar to the doors of wardrobes – they can be freely moved in the left-right direction, along the perimeter of the frame of such nets they are equipped with a sealing nap that tightly blocks any cracks through which insects can penetrate into the room. For free movement of sliding mosquito nets horizontally, an aluminum profile is used, rollers (skates) are attached to the frame of the mosquito nets to facilitate their displacement. The main convenience of sliding mosquito nets is associated with the ability to overlap those sections of the window frame that are used for ventilation at the moment. However, if the aluminum frame has more than two sliding doors, then it is possible to completely block the opening from insects only on the inner doors – when trying to close the opening of the outer sliding doors, even if they are of the same width, it will not be possible to avoid 200-300 mm slots on the sides. Sliding mosquito nets cost an average of 1,500 rubles. per m².

Rolled or roller-blind mosquito nets are installed on window openings either on the outside or on the inside (most often on skylights). When there is no need to set up a barrier against insects, the entire plane of the mesh is rolled up into a cassette installed in the upper part of the window frame, which allows maintaining the strength characteristics of the mosquito net and significantly reducing its wear. Installation of rolled nets is carried out before installing the window frame in the opening, while taking into account the introduction of a part of the frame into a quarter of the window opening. Important points during the operation of a rolled mosquito net: the possibility of solid debris penetrating inside the roll when it is rolled up, which will cause damage to the net; a sharp descent of the mesh when folding is not allowed – it is necessary to hold the canvas with your hand until it is completely folded; the mesh lifting and lowering mechanism must be cleaned at least once every 2 years; in winter it is impossible to use rolled mesh, because moisture penetration into the mechanism will cause damage (however, it is not necessary in winter anyway). The main advantage of rolled mosquito nets is that they do not need to be removed from windows during the cold season. The average cost of roller mosquito nets is 4000 rubles. per m².

Pleated mosquito nets are similar to roll nets – the only difference is that they do not need a folding mechanism. The design of the pleated mesh is similar to an accordion – folds, as a rule, having a width of 10 mm, allow you to block window openings of any height and shape. In order to fold or install the pleated mesh in the window opening, you just need to loosen or tighten the cord. Their average cost is 5,000 rubles. per m².

Important: keep in mind that an ordinary mosquito net is not able to support the weight of a small child who stands on the window sill and rests on its canvas – they will not withstand fastening. Do not allow the child to climb the windowsill on their own, firmly lock the windows during your absence, even a short one.!

DIY mosquito net

The easiest way to make a mesh insect protection from a fine mesh and a chain Velcro tape, thereby providing reliable protection of the premises during several warm seasons. You must visit a hardware store and purchase a mosquito net with a mesh of 1.2 mm, glue for gluing mosaic or cork, sticky tape, consisting of two parts, one of which contains many small hooks, the other is a thin fluffy pile. The cost of the Velcro fastening tape will be about 130 rubles. for 5.5 m, a special mosquito net will cost 120 rubles. for 1.5 m², average cost of glue – 100 rubles.

We open the sash of the window and prepare a place for placing the fastening tape – we clean it of dirt and degrease the inner perimeter of the window opening using a soapy cloth, then clean water and a piece of clean gauze. You can use any solvent, alcohol or gasoline to clean the aluminum frame, but plastic frames should only be washed with soapy water. Then, having separated half of the tape with small teeth-hooks from the fleecy part, we apply it to the installation site and check if it interferes with the closing of the sash – the main thing is that its edge does not fall between the end part of the sash (looped side) and the frame. Apply a thin layer of glue to the reverse side of the toothed half of the tape, apply it to the installation site. You can do the opposite and apply glue to the perimeter of the window opening in those areas where the fastening tape will be glued – in this case, you do not have to mark and cut it in advance, you can cut it as you stick it.

While the newly pasted tape with hooks dries, we begin to mark and prepare the mosquito net. Having measured the dimensions obtained during gluing and transferring them to the mesh, we cut it off with a margin equal to the width of the fastening tape. We bend the overlap along the edges of the mesh and sew the second half of the tape to them with a fluffy pile outward – the seam goes along the edge of the tape and the mosquito net, if necessary, you can also sew it in the middle of the Velcro tape. After waiting 2-3 hours after gluing half of the tape with hooks-hooks to the window frame, we apply a mosquito net with a fleecy half of the tape sewn around the perimeter – reliable and inexpensive protection of the window opening from insects is ready.

Framed mosquito net is not cheap – we will make it with our own hands and with minimal costs. To do this, you will need: plastic cable channel 15×10 mm; four metal corners 10 mm wide; 16 blind rivets 4×6 mm; a tube of glue; mosquito net of sufficient size.

We will install the finished frame mosquito net outside the window opening, i.e. just as it is installed by window installers, therefore, when taking dimensions, we focus on the outer side of the window. Having received the required dimensions, we proceed to create a frame for the mosquito net – we measure them on the cable channel and cut it to size with a 45 ° angle of sawing with a saw blade for metal.

We sand the cut points with a large sandpaper or a coarse sharpening bar, make up the cut frame blanks in the order of their collection, insert the metal corners and, holding them with one hand, drill holes in the cable channel, focusing on the holes in the corners. Rivets are placed in the finished holes and riveted with a riveter, while the riveter must be located outside the cable channel, and not inside it. In the absence of a riveter, you can use short screws with nuts and washers, after tightening them you need to cover them with any oil paint from the side of the nut so that it does not screw up during vibrations.

When the frame is ready, we proceed to fixing the mosquito net in it. By the way, it is most convenient to use a thin mesh, otherwise it will be difficult to clamp it in the cable channel. We put the mesh on top of the frame with the condition that its edges protrude beyond the frame by 200-300 mm, align and snap it with the cable channel cover, alternately moving from the long side to the short side, then again the long and short one. Before clamping the mesh on the second long and short sides, you need to pull it slightly (you need an assistant), but you should not be too zealous – you just need to remove the slack. After completing the installation of the mosquito net on the frame, we cut off the mesh protruding at the edges, in several places between the cable channel and its cover we apply glue, which will completely exclude self-opening of the cover.

Now you need to fix the finished frame mosquito net on the window. From a sheet of tin or metal we cut two strips 20×30 mm and two more 20×40 mm, bend them in the shape of the letter “Z” so that the bend covers the frame from the cable channel. Drill a hole for a self-tapping screw on the shorter side of the fasteners. The ready-made fasteners are fixed on the frame outside the window opening, which will be covered with a mosquito net, with an 80-100 mm indent from the edges of the opening – long fasteners are installed on a self-tapping screw from above, short ones – from below. The distance between the slots of the upper and lower “Z” -shapes must be 10 mm longer than the length of the frame. For installation outside the window opening, a frame with a mosquito net is first inserted into the upper fasteners, then into the lower.

How to choose a mosquito net

The quality frame for bespoke mosquito nets is made from an extruded aluminum profile. The aluminum profile is completely covered with powder paint, does not rust, is resistant to temperature extremes and chemicals. Profile walls can be from 0.7 to 1 mm thick – the thicker, the stronger they are.

At the corners, the aluminum frame profile is joined by connecting corners made of aluminum or plastic – their appearance and wall thickness may be different. From the point of view of ease of use, one-piece connecting corners are convenient, because their body has no depressions and recesses, i.e. dirt and dead insects will not be deposited on them.

Ordinary mosquito netting is made of fiberglass – this material is strong enough, resistant to any atmospheric phenomena. The optimal mesh size in a mosquito net is from 1 to 1.2 mm – such a net will be a reliable barrier for mosquitoes, while allowing enough fresh air to pass through. The smaller mesh is useful for keeping out small insects such as midges, but the mesh will not allow air to pass through well. The standard color of the window mosquito net is gray. It is better not to use a white mesh, because its color will quickly change to gray and dirt will be clearly visible. Poor quality mosquito net has a strong chemical smell and is easy to tear.

The handles installed on the frame of the mosquito net for ease of installation and dismantling are made of soft plastic and fastened with a rubber cord (service life no more than 2 years), hard plastic with rivets (service life more than 5 years), metal-plastic with rivets (service life more than 10 years).

A fiberglass mosquito net will provide reliable protection against mosquitoes, but it will not be able to keep pets, such as dogs, cats, parrots, etc. To be completely sure that your pet will not fall out of the window, covered only by a mosquito net, you will need a special, albeit not quite mosquito net – “anticoshka” (“anticot”).

The most successful material from which the mosquito netting of the “anticoshka” series is made is polyester. Such a mesh has only black color, the thickness of its constituent nylon threads in a plastic sheath is from 0.6 to 0.8 mm, the cell is slightly larger than that of a standard mosquito net – 1.1×1.5 mm. Each individual thread that is part of the anti-cat net is capable of supporting a weight of 4 kg. Standard fastening of a framed mosquito net with an anti-cattle cloth to the corners above and below the window opening is ineffective, because an animal in a jump can knock out the frame with the net and fall out – the fastening is carried out on self-tapping screws along the perimeter of the net frame to the window frame. The inconveniences of using the mesh of the “anticoshka” series – it is difficult to periodically remove and wash the mesh due to the rigid attachment to self-tapping screws, after a few years from the moment of installation, the plastic braid will peel off from temperature changes, a rather high cost – about 4500 rubles. per m².

In addition to polyester “anti-cat” nets, there are steel and aluminum nets. The first of them have a cell size from 10 to 50 mm.², those. they are able to keep the pet from falling, but they are not able to keep mosquitoes. Large mesh aluminum nets will not stop mosquitoes either, and they are much less durable than polyester nets. Metal nets are used not to block access to mosquitoes and other insects, but to protect pets – in addition to such a mesh, a second mesh is installed on the frame, already anti-mosquito, the distance between the two nets should be at least 20 mm so that the pet does not damage the mosquito net with claws.

How to care for a mosquito net during use

As the fabric of the mosquito net becomes dirty, it is necessary to wash, after removing the frame of the net from the window opening – grasp the handles on it with both hands, slightly lift the frame of the mosquito net up to the stop and remove it from the lower fasteners, put it on low tide, grasp the lower edge with your hand and bring the frame into the room. To wash the mesh, simple detergents are used, such as washing powder and laundry soap, cleaning is done with a foam sponge or a soft brush – you should not press hard on the canvas, because it can come out of the fastening grooves.

Installation of the mosquito net frame after cleaning it is carried out in the following order: holding the frame by its lower part (not by the handles), pull it halfway out of the window opening, put it on the ebb and on the lower part of the window frame; grab the handles on it and bring it to an upright position; slide the top of the frame into the top mounts, then lower it into the grooves of the bottom mounts.

When reinstalling the frame with mesh, make sure that the underside of the frame lies in the grooves of the fasteners and not on the bottom of the window frame.

At the end of the warm season, the frame with the mosquito net must be removed from the windows, washed and stored in an upright position – low temperatures will damage the structure of the threads, weaken them.