Custom-made mosquito screens vs. DIY mosquito screen kits: pros and cons

When it comes time to install window and door screens at home or in the office, the same question always arises:should you hire a professional company or head to the home improvement store for a DIY kit?Pricealone might suggest the latter option. But it’s best not to let this factor sway you too much because, in practice,it might not turn out to be the wisest choice. Let’s see why.

Keep in mind the time required to make DIY mosquito screens

At large retailers, you can find various models—allof which are “brush-type”—in standard sizesthat requirethe customer to make a number of adjustmentstofit the screen kits to individual windows.

Following the instructions, you will need tocut the aluminum profiles, assemble the components, and attach them to the walls.

A specialized company handles all of these tasks, delivering a product that fits doors and windows perfectly. This results in significanttime savingsand eliminates the need to purchase the various tools required for the job.

Also, keep in mind thatthere are no wind-resistant screen door kits available on the market, since these types of screen doors require custom fabrication.

Many areas—from seaside resorts to hilly regions, as well as the upper floors of certain apartment buildings—are prone to strong gusts of wind.

In all these cases, wind-resistant screen models are essential; otherwise, the screen would frequently come out of its guides, causing inconvenience.

Materials: Look Beyond the Surface

Typically, mosquito screens feature aluminum frames and fiberglass mesh, but

Althoughthe materials usedfor custom-made and kit-style mosquito screens may appear identical,they differ significantly.

Thealuminum usedin the custom-made mosquito screens from OR Tende, one of the leading companies in this sector,is on average 57% higher than in models found at big-box retailers, withdifferences of up to 87% regarding the roller box, one of the most important components of the structure.

To go into even greater detail, thethickness of OR Tende aluminum profilesranges from 1 to 1.4 mm; the thickness of the aluminumin do-it-yourself mosquito screen kits does not exceed 0.8/0.9 mmand can even be as thin as 0.6 mm—less than half the thickness of the profiles used by a company specializing in the manufacture and installation of mosquito screens.

Weights and consistencies of the various solutions

Continuing our comparison, don’t overlook the weight factor: a 60×150 cm vertical mosquito screen from a mass-market retailer weighs 1,050 grams. Asimilar vertical, spring-loaded mosquito screen with buttons from OR Tende 1,648 grams—a full 57% more.

Then there’s the issue of sizing.Ready-made mosquito screens come in standard sizes, and even if you’re just a few centimeters short of covering your entire door or window, you’ll be forced to buy the next larger size—even if it’s significantly bigger.
Companies that specialize incustom manufacturing, on the other hand, offer solutions tailored to your specific needs. In practical terms,you’ll pay only for the square meters of screen you actually need.

Colors and other customization options for mosquito screens

When it comes tocolors, too, there is a significantdifference between mass-produced and custom-made mosquito nets.

The profiles for DIY mosquito net kits found at home improvement stores are usually available in one or, at most, two colors (in the vast majority of cases, white and brown).
OR Tende a selection of over 26 colors, including glossy, matte, and wood-grain finishes.

Would you like to learn more? Click this link to download the color chart and see the wide variety of options offered by OR Tende.

The same applies to the screens: the models offered by large retailers are available only in gray; those fromOR Tende ordered in various types and colors: standard, bellavista, scratch-resistant, aluminum, two-tone, screen, and blackout.

The convenience and reliability of dedicated customer service

If any problems arise, the retailer requires the customer to go to the post office and ship the package containing the defective item at their own expense.

Thecustomer service team at a specialized company like OR Tende is always available to assist youin the event of a malfunction, error, or misunderstanding.

The company itself sends a courier to pick up the product andresolve any issues related to imperfections or defects resulting from incorrect measurements of the openings, providinga fully functional screen, even some time later, and even beyond the standard warranty period.

Communication with OR Tende is direct and efficient, whether via the company phone number, the technicians’ cell phones, or WhatsApp, ensuring an immediate response.

Discover the mosquito screen models that best suit your needs.