How to properly measure the window for installing a mosquito net?

To make a mosquito screen yourself or order it from the manufacturer, you need to know the exact dimensions. Usually, in order to measure a mosquito net on a plastic window, they invite a specialist. But in fact, it is not difficult to measure the opening of a window or door to a balcony. We will analyze the measurement instructions, find out what tools are needed, and consider all the subtleties of the process.

Should I measure it myself?

Today, the market for installing plastic windows and manufacturing components for them is quite saturated with offers (at least in large and medium-sized cities). In many cases, it is more profitable not to bother with the measurements yourself, but to invite a specialist. However, there are several situations where this solution will not be the most profitable:

• In small towns, summer cottages, urban settlements and villages, there may simply not be a single representative office of companies involved in the manufacture of windows and window components. Calling a measurer in such conditions may require a long wait and payment for services upon departure of a specialist.
• Some people prefer to save on the services of specialists by making a mesh screen on their own. In this case, it is simply unprofitable to pay for the departure of the measurer. Yes, and when ordering a grid from the manufacturer, refusing to call the meter will help to save.

Before contacting this or that company, study the rules of its work and the normative documentation presented on the website. Many companies prescribe in the rules the refusal to use the results of measurements made by anyone other than the company's specialist.

Many people prefer not to bother with measurements, not being confident in their own ability to take measurements correctly. But in fact, anyone with a minimum skill in working with roulette can measure the window opening.

Consequences of measurement errors

Before deciding to independently conduct all measurements, it is worth considering the consequences of a possible error. They can be divided into three groups:

• The grid turned out more than necessary. Even a deviation of a few mm may be enough to prevent the mesh from fitting into place. In this case, the fit can solve the problem, but with its help it will be possible to correct only the error of 1-2 mm.
• The grid turned out less than required by the project. In this case, it will be in place, but will not be attached tightly enough. Small insects can crawl into the gap between the frame of the mosquito screen and the window frame. In addition, there is a risk that the grid will simply fall out of the mounts and fall from a great height, becoming unusable.
• The specifics of installing the window does not allow you to fix the grid on it in the selected way. This result is not errors in the measurement, but errors at the stage of determining the type of structure. However, the consequences are approximately the same: due to the mismatch of the dimensions of the grid with the requirements of the project, it cannot be replaced.

As a rule, manufacturers of nets prescribe in the customer service rules the refusal of warranty service and mesh replacement if a malfunction occurs due to an error with self-made measurement.

In order not to encounter unpleasant surprises, everything must be done to calculate the size of the frame of the mosquito screen as accurately as possible. Check each measurement several times, carefully record the results and take your time.Then the quality of the measurement will be sufficient to solve the problem.

Where to begin?

Before you measure the light opening, you need to decide which mount for mosquito protection you want to use. Depending on the type of mesh and the method of attachment, the dimensions will vary.

Most often, plastic frames are installed on plastic windows.

They are arranged simply: this is a piece of cellular canvas (usually made of polymeric materials), mounted on a frame made of plastic or aluminum profile. Due to maintainability, durability and low cost, this design confidently holds the first place in terms of prevalence. You can fix such a grid on the window in three ways:

• Using plunger pins. A plunger is a spring-loaded pin mounted in special holes in the window frame. Thanks to the springs, such clips securely hold the mesh in place and make it easy to remove it if necessary. The grid frame in this case is inserted strictly into the opening of the window frame.
• With Z-shaped staples. The frame fixed on such hooks will be located on the outside of the window frame. Removing it will be as easy as fixing it with a plunger mount. The main advantage of this option is the ease of manufacture and installation.
• Installation in corner "pockets". This method was developed first. It is similar to fastening with z-shaped staples: a frame with a mesh is also located on the outside of the window frame. "Pockets" are easy to make yourself out of a metal strip. Therefore, homemade structures are so often attached. But this method of fixing has several drawbacks, the main of which is the lack of a tight pressing of the frame to the window frame.

It will be possible to fix the frame grid on the window only if the window opens into the room.

There are other ways of attaching mosquito screens, for example pleated, sliding structures on the loggia or swing nets on the balcony door. The measurement procedure and sizing rules for these types of mesh screens also have their own specifics.

Cooking measuring tool

To obtain the values ​​of the length and width of the window opening, you do not need a high-precision measuring tool. An ordinary household roulette with a tape 3 m long is enough. This is the main, but not the only tool that should be prepared in order to take off the dimensions for making a mosquito net.

In addition to roulette, you will need:

• pencil for marking on the frame and recording results;
• a sheet of paper on which to draft a future grid;
• tools for checking the correct installation of frames (plumb, building bubble level, squares).

The more accurate the measurements are made, the better. If you hurry up with rounding, turning 1124 mm into 112 cm, the finished mesh may be too small or too large.

Today, many professional measuring instruments (laser levels, range finders, etc.) have been invented, which greatly facilitate the work of professional measurers. But for work in everyday life they are not required. Of course, if possible, you can use them.

Take care of security

Another aspect that needs to be said is the safety during the work on measuring the grid and installing fixtures under it on the window sash. Some manufacturers do not undertake to install grids on finished frames, since this is a laborious and inconvenient process. The installer has to protrude into the opening, and he has practically nothing to hold on to (after all, his hands are occupied with tools and fasteners). Ideally, all work is carried out even before the installation of frames in window openings.

But most often there is nowhere to go, and you have to carry out work on already installed windows. In this case, you need to take care of a reliable foundation for support. Do not get up on rickety stools and other impromptu props to reach the top edge of the window.You need to work only on a stable foundation: a stepladder, goats, etc.

Do not start work near an open window if you feel unwell. Reduced coordination of movements (due to medication, alcohol, acute or chronic diseases) can cause a fall from a height!

We take measurements and design a grid for Z-shaped staples

In this case, the grid frame will be mounted outside the window. First of all, you need to make sure that this type of installation is possible in principle. To do this, open the sash and measure the width of the free part of the frame from all four sides: top, bottom and sides. This is done to make sure that the window box does not go too deep into the quarter and there is enough free space to install the mounts.

It is especially important how much free space is available on top, since the upper Z-shaped staples are long. If the box goes into the quarter more than 3.5 cm from the top, it will not be possible to install the Z-shaped brackets. At least 2 cm of free space is needed on the sides and bottom, although it is much better if there is 3 cm or more.

There may be other obstacles that prevent the use of this installation method. For example, window grilles installed too close to the frames, slopes located too close, etc.

If there is no interference with the installation of the grid on the Z-shaped mounts, the measurements do so:

1. Measure the width of the light opening of the window. 25-30 mm are added on each side. For example, the width of the opening is 600 mm. Then the grid width is calculated as follows: 600 + 2 x 25 mm = 650 mm (or 65 cm).
2. Measure the height of the opening. 35 mm are added to the upper part of the obtained segment, and another 25–30 mm to the lower part. So, if the height is 1490 mm, the grid height is considered as follows: 1490 + 35 +25 = 1550 mm (or 155 cm).

Similarly determine the size of the frame for the mosquito screen and with the planned installation in the corner "pockets".

We take measurements for the grid fixed by plungers

The peculiarity of the plunger mount is that the grid is not located on the outside of the frame, but directly in the opening. It will not be possible to use such a fastener if the outer protrusion of the frame has a strong bevel (or a round bevel). In this case, the plungers simply will not provide reliable fixation of the mesh in place.

To determine the dimensions of the grid in this case is simple: you need to measure the height and width of the light opening, and then take 3 mm on each side. For example, for the opening from the previous example (recall, width - 600 mm, height - 1490 mm) you will need a grid with the following dimensions:

• width: 600 mm - 6 mm = 594 mm (59.4 cm);
• height: 1490 mm - 6 mm = 1484 mm (148.4 cm).

A frame mosquito screen with such dimensions will be securely fixed by the plungers in the window opening. A small gap (3 mm on each side) will reliably block the pile of the sealing brush.

If you perform all the operations on measuring the window opening and calculating the dimensions of the grid carefully, the obtained values ​​will allow you to make a grid that is ideal for your window. It’s worth the hard work, isn't it?