If your 10 x 10 Gazebo did not come with a screen, you can still add one later and enjoy your outdoor living space insect-free. Face it, you bought your gazebo with dreams of sitting out in your back yard, relaxing and enjoying life. You might have envisioned dining under the canopy, perhaps a romantic meal for two. I am sure that you probably never dreamed of inviting the entire insect nation to join you at the table. And it is tough to relax and enjoy your peaceful spot in the yard while you are swatting mosquitoes. Adding a screen to your gazebo can bring back that peaceful, relaxing image.
You should start by understanding the numbers used to identify the mesh of the screen fabric. Mesh size is simply how many holes, or openings, per inch. For example, an 18×16 mesh will have 18 yarns running vertically (the “warp”) and 16 yarns running horizontally (the “fill”) for each square inch of the screen. If you live where no-see-ums invite themselves to every outing, look for a very small 20 x 30 mesh.
Fiberglass gazebo screening is similar quality-wise to the screens that are probably on the widows and doors of your home. Industry leaders that manufacture fiberglass gazebo screens say that under normal conditions you can expect your screen material to last 6 to 12 years. Of course, you may get different results, depending on the conditions your screen is exposed to. Fiberglass screening won’t stain, corrode, shrink, scratch, or rot. It is also non-combustible and comes in a variety of colors
Rinsing your gazebo screen with plain water will help keep dust and dirt from accumulating on it. In severe cases, you can use a soft brush with a mild detergent. Scrub lightly with very little pressure and rinse with clear water from a hose. Keeping your screen as clean and dry as possible will prevent mold and mildew. If you see mold or mildew starting to form, clean your screen as soon as possible, as they can shorten its life considerably.
Polyester is an inexpensive choice for screening. It is quite durable and lets the breeze blow through, while keeping out the bugs. It is also easy to maintain, using the same cleaning procedures recommended for fiberglass screening.
Look at the bindings on the edges of the screen before you buy it, if at all possible. The highest quality screens will have a binding tape covering the raw edges. More inexpensive screens will be folded over and hemmed. Some are weighted to help hold them down, while others will attach to your gazebo legs with a hook and grommet system. Hook-and-loop tape is also becoming a popular way to keep the screens from moving around. Be sure that you understand how the screen attaches to the frame before you make your purchase. Again, the two most popular methods are grommets and hooks or hook and loop tape.
One way to extend the life of your gazebo screen is to remove it from the frame and store it out of the weather during the months you know you won’t be using your gazebo. Just be sure that you can remove it without doing more damage than being out in the weather would inflict on it.
There are a couple of common questions that come up over and over about these screens. The first one is whether or not these screens are strong enough to contain pets, or even small children. The answer is no. The are intended to keep insects out, not humans or pets in. Although pet screen is available for other purposes, I haven’t seen it specifically for 10 x 10 Gazebos. If you really need to use your gazebo as a pet containment fence, I guess you could buy the screen in bulk rolls and cut it to fit.
The second question is whether or not the screen will filter the sunlight and the answer to this one is yes. Most basic gazebo screens will filter out out about 30% of the sunlight. You can also buy specialty screens that will block up to 90% of the sunlight, although these will cost you roughly twice as much.
Unless your budget just can’t stand any more, you should definitely get a screen for your gazebo. Not only will it keep out the pesky insects, but will also block out some of the sun’s rays, making your gazebo a more pleasant place to spend time. Knowing your options before you start shopping will help you decide which features matter the most to you and which you can live without.