Anybody use these fairly new screens called “TruScene” made by Anderson? The company says they are basically invisible, have a super-fine mesh that blocks out even no-see-ums, and don’t block airflow. Sounds too good to be true, just wanted to corroborate their claims with somebody’s experience.
The no-see-ums are out in force here in Maine now and my wife is going bananas (they don’t usually bite me, for some reason, just her!). They’re clearly going right through the standard screens at night with the lights on.
The TruScenes are quite expensive (about $80 for one 27×42 window), but if they do what Anderson claims I may get some, at least for the bedrooms.
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I've never personally seen(observed) a no-see-um but have heard of them. If you don't see them, how would you know what they look like? If you know they come through the existing screens, why not pull up a chair and watch to see one come through to gage the size of the bugger. I've still never seen one and I'm beginning to think of a "Snipe Hunting" adventure.
They're tiny, maybe a sixteenth of an inch long or so. Little black specks.So are you familiar with these new screens?
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No experience in that area, none, nodda, nothing. It sounds like an oxymoron but I've never seen a no-see-um, that's why I was considering "snipe hunting." Since you've actually seen them, best way I know would be to buy one screen, put it up (have it installed on one window) and see if it does indeed stop them from coming in.
No-See-Ums. I had a relative that lived in Wisconsin on a lake -- he was plagued by these buggers. You can't see 'em in the dark -- too small, but you can hear them and they like to get into your eyes. He used to run a bug catcher every night on his deck that was basically a fan that sucked in air and ran it over a tray of soapy water. By morning, the tray contained nothing but a bunch of black sludge -- "billions and billions" of No-See-Ums that got stuck in the soapy water. Yech.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
I looked into the screens for a client, who wanted to put them on some window-wall sliders that overlooked the ocean. From what I could find out on the web site, they are only options on a few models of windows. Not an option on their sliders, and not available in bulk. Or I couldn't find it. Maybe someone else has better info.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
If they aren't available in your screen style couldn't you just re-screen yours?
I've never heard of the "no-see-ums" before, but I've seen the tru-scene screens by Andersen and they're quite remarkable. I almost poked my arm right through one at a local showroom because I honestly didn't realize it was in the window. I plan to rescreen every window in my house with that material if another company ever aquires the right to market it.
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
I plan to rescreen every window in my house with that material if another company ever aquires the right to market it.Just curious--why only if another company markets it? Do you think Anderson is overcharging--or is it just a compatibility issue?I saw something online that Pella has a similar product. There may be others, too.It does sound like pretty cool stuff. I wish they'd had it when I bought all my windows 5 years ago, I'd have upgraded the screens then and there.One of my local building suppliers can get Anderson stuff at a significant discount (that's where we got the original windows), but it'd still cost a couple grand to rescreen the whole house. Might be worth it, though.Anyone else out there in Breaktime use the stuff?
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Edited 7/19/2007 9:04 pm ET by Megunticook
Tru-screen is about 3x the price of normal anderson screens. It is really nice material, stainless mesh in a tight woven pattern. It is similar to a ladies stocking as far as visibility goes. Might work on the noseeums. Bedroom is a good test case.
"Just curious--why only if another company markets it? Do you think Anderson is overcharging--or is it just a compatibility issue?"
It's not about the price. I was told by my window dealer that the Gorrell windows I purchased wouldn't accomodate the Andersen "tru-scene" screens and that the material itself was unavailable through any other source, as far as he knew.
Maybe he just wanted me to buy the Andersen windows, but I preferred the Gorrell's and, so far, I'm very happy with them.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
over priced is an understatement...i priced them at 100 bucks a window.
For the record: ANDERSON does not make "tru-screen", but, ANDERSEN does
At the lumberyard in town they have a display with one of those screens in it. I never asked about price, but they screens sure are easier on the eyes. Since I'm nearsighted, looking through a screen is a pain. Looking through one of those new ones was almost like it wasn't there.
Some medicine ads are so attractive that they make a person who has his health feel like he's missing something.
For the record: ANDERSON does not make "tru-screen", but, ANDERSEN doesLiteralist.(thanks for correcting me)By the way, it's "TruScene" not "screen." Knowwhutamean? Remember, Andersen paid some marketing firm hundreds of thousands of dollars to come up with that brilliant brand.
Maybe they should've called it NoScreenUm©
Edited 7/20/2007 10:23 am ET by Megunticook
I'm curious what other products are available to fend off the little *#%*#s.
Are there no fabric screens, to tent over the bed?
How do hospitals keep them out?
What about bug zappers?
How about predators; birds, reptiles, larger insects? Encouraging predation could be risky though. You might end up with a giant Piffen, such as the one who stalks his prey here.
You might end up with a giant Piffen, such as the one who stalks his prey here.Piffins (carpentera craftmanus) rarely leave their island habitat, and anyway they're only dangerous during the autumn mating season...so I've heard.
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Edited 7/20/2007 10:49 am ET by Megunticook