Recommended articles of the week: 8/30/13

This week's recommended articles include examples of how to best utilize your patio for the holiday weekend, the importance of retractable screens, and real estate highlights from the surrounding Chicagoland area.

• Labor Day shine spotlight on patio upgrades - Shreveport Times
• Retractable: why does that matter? - Phantom Screens blog
• Apartment developer to buy River North warehouse our of foreclosure - Chicago Real Estate Daily
• Take a tour of the type of homes we install Phantom Screens on with an upcoming home tour in Hinsdale - Hinsdale Magazine
• This stunning home for sale in Lake Geneva, WI is on a street where Phantom Screens have left their mark of beauty and efficiency - Lake Geneva Home for Sale

Back to school in summer weather

 

Chicagoland may be headed back to school, but the weather still thinks its summer. September and October are the perfect months to install Phantom Screens on your home's doors and windows. Who doesn't want to open up their home to the last warm days and enjoy the first days of cool breezes and crisp air? When the weather turns cold, retract your screens into their protective housing where they'll stay safe and ready to use on the anticipated first warm day of spring.

Recommended Articles of the Week: 8/23/13

This week's recommended articles and blog posts all have to do with porches! Whether you're thinking through the logistics of building a porch or looking for design inspiration, the links below will give you helpful ideas.

• We love this vintage, classy three-bedroom home's porch in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood - Chicago Magazine
• Porches are a stage for every day life - Valentina Interiors and Designs
• Top Five Reasons To Plan Ahead For Your Kansas City Porch (your Chicago porch too) - Archadeck of Kansas City
• Porches are the soul of the house - Beautiful Gardener
• Discover design and decorating ideas for creating the porch of your dreams - HGTV.com.
• 71 Breezy porches and patios to stimulate your creativity - Southern Living

Can I use Phantom Screens on my RV or Boat?

What would Chicago and the surrounding suburbs be without Lake Michigan and the thousands of lakes that cover the landscape from the southern suburbs up to Lake Geneva? Chicagoans love to take their boats out on the water whenever possible. And when they aren't boating, they're probably enjoying their RV next to the closest lake available.

Phantom Screens are a perfect way to bring your enjoyment of your RV or boat to the next level.

RVs & Boats: Doorways

If a doorway is wide enough and the rails are able to attach to the top and bottom, a Phantom Screen can be the perfect addition to a yacht, motor home, or trailer. It is there when you need it, and retracts out of sight when you don't.

RVs & Boats: Windows

Some windows in luxury boats and trailers may be the perfect fit for a Serene Screen. Designed to supply smooth operation and seamless style, the Serene window screen is a perfect complement to a window with a nice view.

For more information on how Phantom Screens can be used on your boat or RV, contact Midwest Screens.

Recommended posts of the week

We've scoured the web to find the week's great posts for outdoor decorating, designing, and living advice. This week's recommended posts include unique lighting ideas, designing on a budget, and food - because what would Chicago be without it's amazing restaurants?

• Tin Lights for a Summer Evening by Summer Plays House 
• Create an Outdoor Oasis on a Budget by Andersens Flooring
• 10 Great Outdoor Fireplaces by Garden Design
• A heart in the heart of the Big Apple by Phantom Screen’s CEO

… and because we all love food

• Here are the New Chicago Restaurants Opening this Week by  Chicago Magazine

Patio Design Tips from Better Homes and Gardens

At Midwest Screens we love outdoor living spaces. For example, patios help make a house a home with the comfort, style, and character they bring. Better Homes and Gardens has a list of creative ways to make your patio cozy and unique. Check out their design tips then let us know which is your favorite!




15 Patio Design Tips from BH&G

 

When is the best time to install Phantom Screens?

Homeowners often want to know what we consider to be the best time of year for installing Phantom Retractable Screens on their home. The answer is simple; any time of year is a good time! Whether you choose to install Phantom Screens in the Spring for the warm months ahead, Autumn for the crisp October breezes, or the Winter in preparation for that first bright, April day, any time is a good time for Phantom Screens.

How do I maintain my Phantom Screens?

Proper maintenance of your Phantom Screens will ensure you are able to enjoy your screens and the fresh air insect and hassle free for years. To learn how easy it is to maintain your screens (clean, wipe, lubricate), watch this short video. Also, step-by-step written maintenance tips are below.

       

Tips for maintaining your Phantom Screen's functionality:

• Screens should be retracted into protective storage housing when not in use.
• Spring loaded systems may retract suddenly. Do not push the mesh to release the magnet or latch. A safety feature releases the slide bar if the mesh is lightly bumped. Continual abuse will affect operation. When rolling the screen into the housing, ensure the mesh rolls evenly. Retracting the product with creases in the screen can cause wrinkles.
• Motorized screens should be watched during operation. Objects left under a motorized unit can prevent the unit from lowering. If this happens, lift the slide bar up manually, remove the obstacle, and lower the slide bar. If it does not extend to a level position, use the remote up button and roll up the mesh until the slide bar is level. Stop the unit, and then lower it.
• Interruption of power can affect motorized unit operation. Ensure that power is still getting to the unit by checking circuit breakers and ground faults for resetting. Remotes (in wall and handheld) have a limited battery life. If the remote light does not come on when the buttons are depressed, the battery is exhausted.
• Insect screens are intended to provide reasonable insect control and are not intended to provide the retention and / or security of objects, animals or persons inside or outside your dwelling.
• Ensure tracks are kept free of dirt and debris which may cause the screen to perform poorly. Cleaning the tracks and lubricating them with Phantom's greaseless silicone spray can restore smooth operation.
• Mesh fabric, housing tracks and slide bar can be cleaned with water and a soft brush but not with a pressure washer. A mild detergent like dish soap can be used, but do not use chemicals. After cleaning the mesh, allow it to dry before rolling it back up into the housing.
• It is normal for the mesh to "sail" in certain windy conditions. This may cause the mesh to pull out of the track, however when the wind subsides the mesh will return against the track.
• Motorized units should be retracted in winds in excess of 25 mph. Wind load may affect the ability of the unit to extend or retract. The screens should never be used solely for the purpose of a wind break.

How can Phantom Screens benefit your construction project?

Today’s discriminating homeowners want screen solutions that do not detract from the look of their home yet provide superior protection against pests and insects.  Phantom Screens provide that customized solution. MidwestScreens, LLC is the Chicagoland company of choice for homeowners and professionals that want to incorporate Phantom Screens into their designs and construction projects. Our years of experience and dedication to providing the best customer service means we will be there every step of the way in the process.

Phantom Screens are a great amenity that will allow your home or build and design business to stand out from other homes or businesses, providing you with screening solutions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.  As outdoor living continues to grow in the Chicagoland area, Phantom Screens make it functional without detracting from the architecture and beauty of the area that you are screening.