Pleated insect screens for a sliding door on the Costa Blanca

Why choose this solution?

A good insect screen allows ventilation while keeping mosquitoes and other insects outside without daily hassle. The right type depends on the window, door, sliding direction, available space and use.

The best choice is the solution that people use naturally. We therefore discuss who operates the system, when protection is needed and how much visibility, ventilation, privacy or shading should be maintained.

Technical inspection before ordering

We measure the actual frame and check shutters, handles, rails and obstacles. A pleated insect screen can be practical for a sliding door; a removable window screen is often suitable for a tilt-and-turn window.

A made-to-measure product can only function properly when the measuring method matches the system. We record the width, height, projection, installation side and operation, and check doors, windowsills, shutter boxes, downpipes and other obstacles.

Specific considerations for the Costa Blanca

Homes and projects with wide openings, moving parts and unobstructed access feature a wide range of façades and frames. A location may be sheltered, but it may also be fully exposed to sun or wind. That is why we do not base a proposal on a photograph alone. A local survey prevents an attractive solution from being applied incorrectly from a technical perspective.

From La Nucía, we schedule projects throughout the Costa Blanca as part of our established service area. For multiple products, measuring, power supply, installation and operation can be combined in a single plan.

Colour, fabric, mesh and finish

The profile colour and mesh should blend in as discreetly as possible. Pets, children and frequent passage require extra attention to the bottom guide, closure and ease of operation.

We prefer to view samples alongside the frame, façade brickwork and interior. Bright Spanish light can significantly change how colours appear. Neutral shades may look warmer or cooler, and dark materials become hotter; we take this into account without turning taste into a technical fairy tale.

Manual, electric or solar

Manual operation is simple, but electric operation can be much more convenient for large or frequently used systems. Solar is particularly interesting when cabling is difficult. The size, weight, frequency of use and available position for a solar panel determine whether this is a sensible option.

When motorisation is involved, we discuss wall transmitters, remote controls, any sensors and operation by individual product or group. A wind sensor helps, but does not make solar shading indestructible; responsible use remains essential in strong winds.

What determines the price?

The price depends on the dimensions, system, profile colour, fabric or mesh, motor, accessibility and mounting surface. Installation on a straight, easily accessible façade is different from working at height, above a patio cover or on a surface requiring additional anchoring.

After measuring, you receive a proposal in which the product and execution are considered together. This means you are not comparing a basic online price with a complete, installed made-to-measure product.

Maintenance in the coastal climate

Sand and salt require regular but gentle maintenance. Carefully rinse profiles and guides, remove dirt before it starts to cause abrasion and do not use aggressive cleaning products. Moving parts should not be treated randomly with grease or spray; follow the system’s maintenance instructions.

Do not leave a product wet and rolled up or folded for extended periods, and check after strong winds that everything moves freely. Early attention to noise, misalignment or stiffness often prevents more serious damage.

Common mistakes with made-to-measure solar shading and insect screens

A common mistake is ordering based on a rough wall opening. Frames are not always straight, tile edges may protrude, and a shutter or door handle may sit exactly within the operating area. Wind resistance is also sometimes treated as an absolute figure, even though dimensions, installation, façade position and correct use together determine what is responsible.

A second mistake is choosing the cheapest system first and considering power, installation and operation only afterwards. This can result in visible cables, an inconvenient crank or a cassette that obstructs the door. With made-to-measure work, the complete usage situation must be established before production.

Combining solutions for a cooler and more comfortable home

External solar shading works most effectively when heat is blocked before it enters through the glass. This can be combined with internal shading for atmosphere and privacy. Insect screens then make it possible to ventilate during cooler hours without an invasion of mosquitoes. The products therefore serve different purposes and can reinforce one another.

With multiple façades, the same system does not have to be used everywhere. A zip screen may be logical for a large glass frontage, a roller shutter for a bedroom and a pleated insect screen for a frequently used patio door. Matching the colours and operation keeps the overall appearance calm, while each opening receives the technically appropriate solution.

Checklist for a good quotation

• Are the exact dimensions, system type and installation position specified?
• Are the profile colour, fabric or mesh type and operation confirmed?
• Are the motor, transmitter, sensors and electrical connection included?
• Is it clear who will dismantle and dispose of existing products?
• Are lifting equipment, accessibility, mounting materials and adjustment included?
• Will you receive instructions on use, wind and maintenance after installation?

These points make quotations comparable and prevent essential components from appearing as surprises during installation.

From advice to installation

1. Discuss the opening, sun exposure and intended use.
2. Have the dimensions and mounting surface checked.
3. Choose the design, colour and operation using actual samples.
4. Receive a complete price for the made-to-measure product and installation.
5. Have the system installed, adjusted and explained.

Advice from Port of Altea

Would you like to know which version is right for you? Contact us or visit our showroom in La Nucía. Also view the main page about made-to-measure insect screens.