All You Need to Know: Vinyl Screens
Phantom Screens: Clear Vinyl for Motorized Screens
If you’re looking for a screen for an exterior opening in your South Florida home, you have likely already heard of Insect, Solar, and Privacy Meshes. All three offer distinct advantages and disadvantages which we have covered extensively in our “All You Need to Know'' series. The last type of screening material we will discuss in this series actually does not possess a mesh fabric at all, yet it provides its own unique array of benefits and features: vinyl screens.
Unique Features
Vinyl screens are like no other screening material: instead of the traditional mesh fabric that one typically comes to associate with door and window screens, they possess solid and flexible vinyl panels. With opaque and transparent options, a vinyl screen can serve as a solid window or wall to transform your space. Our Clear Vinyl option is completely transparent, leaving the visibility of the outdoors unaffected. The solid nature of the mesh separates the space inside the opening from the outside entirely as there are no openings woven through a vinyl’s material like there are with mesh fabrics; there is no room for bugs and insects to creep their way in but neither is there any space for wind to enter or air to circulate. This means vinyl screens offer unique advantages from mesh fabric screens: their total lack of openness reflects in their total protection from the annoyances of the outside — bugs, intolerable weather, or extreme climates. If one desires a subtle blend of the indoors with the outdoors, they are in luck with a clear vinyl screen- as they give the feel of being fully indoors while being able to enjoy the view.
In other words, vinyl screens could be considered the most effective type of screen at maintaining a separation between the indoor space and the outdoors. This is an ideal benefit if one would like to utilize their outdoor spaces during all the seasons — as vinyl screens are excellent at keeping spaces warm during the winter and cool during the summer.
What’s In A Mesh: Materials and Fabric
On a technical level, vinyl screens are made of a particular type of vinyl known as “PVC,” the most popular type of vinyl and the third-most produced type of synthetic plastic. This is important to note as PVC is used for a wide array of purposes; from its popular usage as musical records, to plumbing, to even resilient clothing — PVC is widely known as a resilient and firm material.
Turn your outdoor space into a climate-controlled paradise with a Phantom vinyl screen!
Much like mesh fabrics, no two vinyl screens are constructed exactly the same. The mixture of materials used to construct the vinyl screen may differ; for instance, Phantom Screens’ Précontraint 502 Satin Vinyls (opaque vinyls) are constructed using a PVC-Coated Polyester material, while their PanoramaFR Vinyl Screen (clear vinyl) is 100% PVC. Both provide a similar level of insulation, but the Précontraint is comparatively more resilient than the PanoramaFR because it is a reinforced fabric.
We recommend looking into how your local screen manufacturer constructs their vinyl screens to ensure that they are using high-quality materials before purchasing — for example, Phantom Screens utilizes marine-grade PVC vinyl in the construction of their screens, which means it is the same quality material trusted in the construction of boats and other sea vessels, typically used as marine upholstery and vinyl boat flooring. Marine-grade PVC is durable and resistant to abrasion, moisture, and fading from UV rays. Containing antibacterial and antifungal properties, our vinys are resistant to mildew and the best option for those who live in wet environments. Indicators such as these can give you an idea of what you can expect in terms of the long-time health and lifespan of your screen.
Style and Aesthetic
When selecting a new screen, you should consider the range of colors available. For example, Phantom’s Précontraint 502 Satin Vinyl Screen mentioned above comes in four distinct color options — Black, Brown, Sand, and White — while the Phantom PanoramaFR Vinyl Screen is available in Clear. If your home maintains a specific aesthetic and you’d like your vinyl screen to match, we can help you find the perfect vinyl color to compliment your home’s style.
With a hardier, more durable PVC material than typical mesh fabrics, our Phantom Vinyl Screens are perfect at maintaining an enclosed environment with just the right climate to let you use your outdoor spaces year-round. If you’re interested in a vinyl mesh, please contact us today for a free estimate!
