To screen or not to screen your outdoor space?

That is a good question!

If you are considering an outdoor room addition, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions to help you decide whether or not to screen in your space.

The first question should be “Do you have a lot of insects, especially at the time or times of day that you like to spend outside?” Proximity to water and trees can increase the number of insects in an area. Of course those things can also create a more pleasant atmosphere for an outdoor room too.  The second one is “Are you or members of your family bothered by the presence of those insects?” Some people are allergic to insect bites or stings, making this an even bigger issue. The next question is how you plan to use your outdoor space. If it’s an area that you have no intention of covering, then it can’t be screened anyway. If you already have a roof over a patio or deck or would like to add one, screens can be a huge benefit if you plan to spend time eating there or entertaining in the evenings when the insects tend to be more active. If the space will generally be used during the day with lots of traffic moving in and out, such as to a pool, you might prefer it to remain open.

The Heartlands screen system allows you to have wide screen openings for a close to nature atmosphere that doesn’t feel closed in.  The system’s powder coated, extruded aluminum components make it extremely low maintenance as well. If you prefer that the space have the option of being completely open, you might want to consider retractable screens. They roll up and down with the touch of a remote control and come with the option of solar screen fabric as well.