Frequently Asked Questions
Can your screening systems handle angled configurations as opposed to just straight sides with 90° corners?
Yes! Our screening systems will work fine for angled configurations. If your vertical posts are set at 45° instead of 90° the screening system mounts to your structures the same way. If you’re creating vertical posts with Screen Wall and Fast Track, ...
What is the First Step to Screening In Your Porch?
The first step to screening in your porch is to sketch the dimensions new porch. This will help you determine the materials needed for your project. Check out this blog posts to learn more this first ...
Can Your Screening Systems Be Used for Commercial Projects?
All of the testing we do for our screening systems is for residential building codes (including muilti-family), but you can certainly use our products for commercial projects. Contact us if you have any specific questions.
Can the 3.5" wide Screen Tight cap be used with MeshGuard?
If you are looking to mount MeshGuard on 4" x 4" post, you can use mount two 1.5" base strips to the post and use our 3.5" wide cap to cover the post. This can also be used for our Screen Tight product. Check out the photos below for an installation ...
Can your systems be attached to composites like Trex?
Yes. For mounting to composites like Trex, the key is good screws and fasteners to ensure the track holds when the tension of the screen is applied. MeshGuard cannot be mounted to composites and still meet code for guardrails. It’s required that ...
It's cold outside and I'm having trouble rolling spline. What should I do?
Cold weather can affect the workability of spline due to the nature of how rubber contracts. If you are screening your porch in cold weather, keep your spline in a bucket of warm water to temper it. Warmer spline is more flexible and should be easier ...
Can screening systems be attached to masonry or concrete?
Yes, all systems can be attached directly to masonry or concrete as long as you’re using the proper masonry fasteners.
Can I use specialty screens such as Solar Screen, No-See-Um Screen or Pet Screen?
Yes, our systems are compatible with most types of screen. Some screens are much thicker which may require a smaller spline. Our MeshGuard system features a proprietary spline and screen that cannot be substituted.
What type of screen should I use?
The standard screen is 18/14 fiberglass screen which is specifically designed for porch and patio installations and typically can handle larger openings. 18/14 is a thicker mesh or strand than what you would see on a window screen. Specialty screens, ...
Can one person install a porch screening system?
Smaller openings can definitely be installed by DIYer. Larger openings may take another person to help hold the screen while another rolls in the spline. The bigger the openings the less cutting of the cap and base. Whether large or small openings, ...
How do I re-tighten my screen?
If your screen gets loose over time, simply remove the spline, pull the screen tight and respline. If your screen gets loose regularly, you may want to consider adding another vertical post to improve the performance of the screening system.
How big an opening can I screen?
We always recommend to GO BIG with screened openings. We’ve had customers go up to 150 square feet! With our screening systems, and with any others on the market, a larger opening means the screen will become less tight. This isn’t an issue unless ...
Which systems can I use to frame in my porch?
Fast Track and Screen Wall are the porch framing systems that create non-load bearing vertical posts and horizontal rails.
How many screws do I need?
For our screening systems that mount to existing porch framing with only screws, you will need about 12 per 8 foot length. Add a screw 2 inches from each end and then about every 8 inches in between. This applies to original Screen Tight, MeshGuard, ...
Can I combine screening systems?
Yes, we have seen many examples of our customers using more than one of our products for a porch screening project based on their specific design. Mini Track Above the Rail and MeshGuard Below
What type of spline do I need?
The type of spline varies by system. Original Screen Tight - 0.175-in rubber spline for standard fiberglass screen or 0.160-in spline for aluminum or specialty screens such as SuperScreen or pet screens. MeshGuard - Proprietary MeshGuard spline. ...
Which screening systems can mount to the inside of the porch structure?
Our screening systems that mount to existing structures mount three ways – the exterior of the post (facing the outside), the center of the post, or the interior of the post (facing the inside of the porch). The systems that mount in the center of ...