08 January, 2024
Mosquito nets
Mosquito nets are the most popular and effective solution to the problem of insects in the house, so it is worth setting them up. However, there's the question of whether you should remove your net for winter. Modern models can appear virtually anywhere. Their high-tech nets offer protection against a much longer list of problems than just mosquitoes alone. What is the argument for removing the mosquito net in autumn and winter, and what urges us to leave it all year round?
Insect nets are predominantly used in warmer climates, where mosquitoes transmit the most dangerous diseases. It is them who give this appliance its name. Although if you live in a temperate zone, you do not have to worry about malaria and other serious illnesses, a mosquito bite can still cause various infections, and their buzzing around the ears is highly unpleasant. Mosquitoes, moreover, are only the tip of the iceberg.
Insect nets, especially modern ones, provide a barrier not only for mosquitoes. If this were the case, leaving them in place for winter would not make sense. In reality, mosquito nets protect you from other creatures, including:
and many others that wake up at different times of the year and make your life miserable.
Beyond that, there are also modern types of mesh with a very dense weave that can do much more.
If you look at specialised nets, you will immediately notice that their weave is multilayered and highly dense. So much that it can retain single molecules of chemicals, not even to mention larger creatures, which are large, of course, only by the standards of the microcosm surrounding them.
What do these include specifically? E.g.:
In other words, allergy sufferers, people living in areas exposed to heavy traffic or other air pollutants, and people with lowered immunity should opt for mosquito nets to reduce the risk of diseases.
The facts above seriously impact the decision to remove insect nets in autumn and winter. By taking it down, you may lose protection against especially harmful particulate matter, which reaches its highest levels during the heating season.
Winter is a highly challenging time for insect nets, during which you need to establish two main points:
Fortunately, it is not too hard.
This question has already been answered above. There are two main arguments for leaving mosquito nets in place.
The first thing is one warmer day is enough for a stronger sun to start rousing insects. Keeping mosquito nets on windows and doors will ensure you are ready for this.
The other issue is the advanced features of meshes, such as smog shielding. Although the concentration of particulate matter in the air decreases each year, the positive changes are not affecting all areas equally. In most regions of the UK, the air quality may still be far from acceptable.
Nets are relatively delicate products. They do not have the strength of burglar-proof roller shutters. Strong winds, rain, and, above all, hail and snow can pose a potential threat, especially to various sliding solutions, including pleated ones. Low temperatures can also be detrimental to nets with rubber seals.
Some manufacturers even recommend removing their mosquito net for the winter, as otherwise, the user loses the product warranty.
There are many reasons for removing mosquito nets for the winter. Taking them down makes sense primarily because of the need to:
Unfortunately, there are several potentially damaging elements and mechanisms for mosquito nets during winter. The most destructive are:
Pulling the mosquito net for the winter ensures its durability.
Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages or, if you prefer, advantages of leaving the mosquito nets in place over the winter period.
Two main issues stand out here:
Uninstalling a window net deprives you of all the advantages of having it in the house.Furthermore, if its installation is challenging, it won't be easy either.
In the case of plain designs such as frame mosquito nets, removal for the winter is usually effortless. They are installed using special mounting plates, which allow convenient extraction of the entire construction later.
Many sliding solutions also allow uncomplicated removal of the net. The mosquito net structure remains in place while the mesh winters safely inside.
Alas, many constructions are so-called permanently mounted mosquito nets. Of course, dismantling this net type is possible, but that involves considerable effort, and unskilled attempts may have regrettable consequences.
It's understood you must make this decision individually. It is easiest to uninstall frame and sliding mosquito nets designed for easy removal.
The decision may also be made for you if the net warranty explicitly requires it.On the other hand, if your product is permanently installed and the manufacturer expects the mesh to remain in place, there is no reason to go ahead with it.
It is a very beneficial solution if you can roll up the mesh or hide it in a box or profile. The first option is typical for solutions integrated into roller shutter boxes. The second is common in pleated mosquito nets, which are not exposed to harmful factors when fully closed. You can then remove or roll it up with similar effects on its safety and durability.
While considering whether it is worth pulling down the mosquito net for the winter, you need to address another topic. It is their cleaning and maintenance.
There is no such thing as a single set rule for how often you should clean your mosquito nets. You usually do it when you clean the windows, although typically, these are only cursory treatments. For effective cleaning and maintenance of a mosquito net, it's advisable to remove it. So, if you plan to take it off for the winter, you can take advantage of this opportunity.
Maintaining a mosquito net is much easier when you remove the whole of it or at least detach the mesh. While it is not always necessary, it simplifies the task and reduces the risk of damage.
If it's relatively easy to uninstall the mosquito net, it's worth pulling it down for washing not only before winter. By cleaning it, you can eliminate dust and pollen, scrape off any insects that may have gotten trapped, and improve its aesthetics.
Washing itself is not a huge challenge. If the mesh is still in place, wipe it with a damp cloth and mild detergent, provided its manual does not instruct otherwise.
You can wash a removed mesh in a bathtub. It is first rinsed in water with detergent and then in clean water. You need to dry the mesh before installing it back in. During the winter, it is essential to dry the mesh if you insist on having it back in place.
While the above instructions for dealing with a soiled mosquito net are certainly not overly demanding, it is still worth mentioning a few things that may lead to a minor mishap.
As you can see, these are common sense recommendations.
In conclusion, it is worth removing mosquito nets for the winter if only to wash them thoroughly. Overwintering in a dry and warm place is advisable, especially if the product is easy to disassemble and reassemble.
It's different with permanently installed mosquito nets and insect nets using specialised meshes. With the latter, you do not want to lose the properties of the mesh for many months, and with the former, the scale of the challenge may intimidate you. Modern meshes are usually created from a combination of fibreglass and PVC, so their durability is satisfactory. While winter conditions will harm, e.g. the seals, it is not a disaster if an insect net overwinters on a window or door.
Share
Eko-Okna S.A.
Kornice, ul. Spacerowa 4
47-480 Pietrowice Wielkie
NIP: 6391813241
KRS: 0000586067
Olszyny 9
44-373 Wodzisław Śląski
Naftowa 23
47-225 Kędzierzyn-Koźle
