If you've ever replaced a window screen you are familiar with the time and effort it takes to stretch the screen tight correctly. Last time I tried it took me about four tries before I arrived at something not ugly and baggy.

Shrinky Screen is a screen material purchased by the yard at your local home improvement store right next to normal screen material. It is made of black plastic, but shrinks when heat is applied. Install Shrinky Screen in the normal way, but don't worry about loose areas. When finished, use a heatgun, hair dryer, or medical grade laser to shrink your screen to fit.

(parts of this idea have been stolen directly from [LBAF])
-- Worldgineer, Mar 09 2004

Zip-seal Window Screen http://www.halfbake...l_20Window_20Screen
Inspired by [LBAF] [Worldgineer, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

(?) How to string a screen. http://www.cbsnews....09vila_screen.shtml
Block up the ends, clamp down the middle. [dpsyplc, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Beautiful! Well done, [World] - glad I could help!

But what about folks in really hot climates? Could the material possibly "over stretch" and break, or perhaps bend the frame that its attached to?
-- Letsbuildafort, Mar 09 2004


It doesn't shrink much, just enough to tighten it up some. Frames are fairly strong, so this should work fine even if you heat the entire screen.
-- Worldgineer, Mar 09 2004


Hmm...I kind of like the thought of screens made from transparent, or at least translucent material.

One thing that potentially bugs me about this idea is that not only do my screens have to be tight, the squares have to be square. The parts that shrink to tighten might get a litle bit distorted.

I guess that the construction would be a perforated material. Some of the heat shrink tubing that I use is pretty rugged stuff. Pricey to make a whole window screen from, but seems likely to work.

+
-- half, Mar 09 2004


Also available in clear.
-- Worldgineer, Mar 09 2004


A finer mesh could be marketed into the screen printing market.
-- DrCurry, Mar 09 2004


I gotta put this stuff over the windows every winter, to keep out drafts, but I never thought of screen! Great idea!
-- spacecadet, Mar 09 2004


When the screen shrinks the regular square grid distorts. This could cause visual discomfort for some of the more square minded people. To avoid this problem the holes shoud be arranged in a random pattern, looking like someone shot a trashbag a few times with a shot gun.
-- kbecker, Mar 09 2004


Of course, you could always just put up regular shrink wrap, and shoot it a few times with a shotgun. Or not.
-- Worldgineer, Mar 09 2004


"No, your honor, I wasn't shooting at my neighbour. I just installed the new screens."
-- kbecker, Mar 09 2004


I've done hundreds of nice, taut, and durable screens myself. I'd guess you're doing it all wrong. I know how you feel, I've done it too.

Nothing wrong with your idea, but I doubt it will be durable or cheap, or even esthetically pleasing for reasons referred to by [kbecker]. The right way is linked to above.
-- dpsyplc, Mar 09 2004


what about a conventional screen center with a shrinky surround. The material would come in sheets in several standard sizes. Simply sloppily put up the sheet, and shrink the surround. You have a largely undistorted, tightly strung screen.
-- gabe, Mar 10 2004


[dps] Yes, I read the directions. But it takes a few times to get it right. I don't think the average homeowner has the experience of //hundreds// of screens.

[gabe] I like that. It wouldn't even have to be very thick - make it 1/4 inch and you'll barely notice it.
-- Worldgineer, Mar 10 2004



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