Mosquito Screen
This project is not completely finished, but we just took it for an overnight test run and it has greatly exceeded our expectations, so I just can't wait to post. It is actually dual purpose--it will be part of my rain protection.
Total cost: about $60 with leftovers that can be used elsewhere, but not including the second screen I will use for the rear. Skill required: the ability to sew a straight seam.
I started with this screen from Amazon. Notice that it only fits openings 34” wide. It is actually 36” wide with Velcro on top and sides. I chose this one after extensive reading of the reviews. It is high quality, well-made, and functions well.
First I removed the side Velcro. It came off clean without damage to the screen assembly. I then cut 9.5" off the bottom. The bottom banding is a separate piece, so i removed it, cut 9.5" off the screen, then sewed the banding back on. I will admit, though, that the banding wants to stick under my pressure foot, so this was tedious.
I installed the hook side of industrial strength Velcro across the top inside of the door (almost horizontal) and on the underside of the metal floor. I chose this one because it is rated to 140°. I learned my lesson when the adhesive on some fastener I used on the truck tent turned to goo in the heat.
For the side panels, I turned to my favorite outdoor fabric supplier for their heavy-coated 1.9 oz ripstock nylon. Lucky me, the light sage is an almost perfect match for the van. This stuff is a dream to work with. Lightweight, tough as nails, does not fray.
http://www.questoutfitters.com/coated.html#Coated Fabrics
Two yards was not quite long enough, and something a bit tougher would be good on the bottom, so I tacked on scraps from a tent I bought for parts. Probably not necessary. I sewed some of the Velcro loop I salvaged from the sides of the screen across the top and bottom.
Now here's what makes this installation so easy. Once the sides are taut between top and bottom, the sides become irrelevant to the functioning of the screen opening. All stress is sheer across the Velcro, so already before doing anything to the outer edges, the screen is more secure than it would be in its originally intended house door opening. It is so taut something would bounce off of it.
On the front side, the only issue is working around the black styrofoam (still working on that, but the rest of the way down can just be a few magnets and a cutout for the door latch. (Magnets will be encased in the fabric.)
The rear side depends on what else is there. I worked around my cabinet and took it outside below the projection.
This is the top inside with Thinsulate in the holes. I have decided that the covering across the top of the door should be black.
Green masking tape from the auto parts store is one of my best friends in the shop and was a godsend on this project. It sticks well to the tent fabric, yet comes off easily with no residue.
Good points:
- Because this material is so thin, the door is fully operable with the screen in place!! Even the magnets just sitting there loose on the outer front edge did not budge in 120 miles of driving.
- most of the installation can be done from the inside with the door closed, so if bugs are bad, you dont let so many in during installation.
- It does not interfere with visibility through the side door window, so it can be left up as long as it will be needed.
- There's not a bunch of Velcro stuck around the door. The strip above the door on the inside is almost invisible. The strip under the floor is totally invisible.
Bad points:
- To work properly, it can not drag the floor, so it would not keep out creepy crawlies.
- Tall or large folk could have an issue with the relatively small opening.
When I was removing the bottom part, I discovered the neat rod magnets it was using. I figured they would be good for the sides (they are). Since I couldn't find them anywhere else, I bought a second screen. Without its magnets, I will use it for the rear.
My awning will be made of this same tent material--we approach these projects from our own experiences. It is about half finished. With these two in place, I look forward to enjoying the rain.
Because Photobucket hijacked her photos in this thread, MsNomer has created a website detailing her build: msnomersvan.wordpress.com