Energy Efficiency, Safety, And Innovation In Modern Residential Window Screens

(HIT)-While new homes today are typically equipped with energy efficient window screens that are an integral component of the window itself, there are homeowners galore who still face the seasonal task of exchanging screens for storm windows. Thus the current home improvement market continues to engage the screen industry in a race for product improvements and innovations.

Mesh Window Screen

According to a recent report in the U.S. Department of Energy-Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Consumers Guide, mesh window screens can diffuse solar radiation, reducing heat gain in the summer -- particularly on east-and west-facing windows. Information like this is key to taking advantage of climatic conditions and savings on home cooling costs. But when was the last time the busy do-it-yourselfer had time to do research on that screen door that needed repair -- to keep the pesky insects out.

How does the today's homeowner keep pace with affordable and relevant product information?

In keeping with responsible energy stewardship, homeowners looking to replace or repair existing window and patio screens can take advantage of the lastest research by contacting their local associations for information. The 50-year old Screen Manufacturers Association (SMA) has a long history of connecting consumers with the lastest research, safety data, and consumer product development by major U.S. and Canadian residential window screens manufacturers, and a host of related associations.

The SMA headquarters is in Palm Beach, Florida, a location that screams experience with insects and the need for ventilation. Also, the most recent hurricane season brought our south western coast some of the most violent wind damage in recent years, renewing interest in aspects of screen durability, portability and safety.

Considerations for new and established homeowners contemplating the upgrade of window, patio, garage and pool screening will include the need for information in these areas:

• Heating and Cooling -- Window screens and doors have long been known for their impact on heating and cooling.
• Aesthetics -- Modern screen products continue to make an obvious contribution to both the exterior and interior beauty of the home, which can translate into higher resale values.
• Window Screen Safety -- For more than two decades, the combined efforts of the industry's three major associations, Screen Manufacturers Association, American Architectural Manufacturers Association and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, have worked in partnership with the National Safety Council in providing consumer education safety programs to prevent needless deaths and injuries. These national lifesaving programs include an aggressive labeling campaign, the "Window Safety Week" highlighted annually in April, and their popular everyday-- "Kids Can't Fly program."

In recent years Americans have been increasing alarmed by the un-welcome advent of mosquito borne West Nile virus, making the window screen a whole lot more than a cosmetic convenience.

The Screen Manufacturers Association, founded in 1955, represents more than 90% of all the screen products manufactured in the United States. For more information, safety tips and teaching aids for children, visit SMA's website at www.smacentral.org, or write to Screen Manufacturers Association, 2850 So. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, FL 33480-6205.