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Fine Homebuilding: The Magazine
Robyn Doyon-Aitken, producer
Airborne pollen is the primary cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, which afflicts more than 40 million Americans and costs $7 billion in medical bills and lost productivity annually, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Unfortunately, conventional window screens are no match for tiny pollen particles, which measure from 10 to 1000 microns (1 micron equals one-millionth of a meter).
Many folks simply keep their windows closed to reduce their exposure to pollen, but there is another solution: PollenTec screen fabric. This tightly woven polyester mesh was introduced in Europe two years ago and is now available in the United States. With openings that are significantly smaller than those on conventional screening, PollenTec can block between 90% and 99% of common allergy-causing pollens such as birch and ragweed, according to a manufacturer-sponsored study.
PollenTec screens look the same as conventional aluminum or fiberglass screens, but the manufacturer says PollenTec reduces visible light and air movement by about 30%.
PollenTec is available as ready-made screens for windows and patio doors in roller, hinged, and removable versions. The screen mesh is also sold by the square foot.
—Patrick McCombe writes about construction and woodworking from his home in Stowe, Vt.
posted in: Blogs, weatherizing, windows, doors, outdoor spaces, porch
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Pollenproof Screens
comments (0) April 29th, 2009 in Blogs
Robyn Doyon-Aitken, producer
With openings that are significantly smaller than those on conventional screening, PollenTec screening can block between 90% and 99% of common allergy-causing pollens such as birch and ragweed, according to a manufacturer-sponsored study.
Photo: PollenTec
by Patrick McCombe
PollenTec
| ■ Manufactured by PollenTec ■ 623-780-2400; www.pollentec.com ■ Cost: $7.40 per sq. ft. |
Airborne pollen is the primary cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, which afflicts more than 40 million Americans and costs $7 billion in medical bills and lost productivity annually, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Unfortunately, conventional window screens are no match for tiny pollen particles, which measure from 10 to 1000 microns (1 micron equals one-millionth of a meter).
Many folks simply keep their windows closed to reduce their exposure to pollen, but there is another solution: PollenTec screen fabric. This tightly woven polyester mesh was introduced in Europe two years ago and is now available in the United States. With openings that are significantly smaller than those on conventional screening, PollenTec can block between 90% and 99% of common allergy-causing pollens such as birch and ragweed, according to a manufacturer-sponsored study.
PollenTec screens look the same as conventional aluminum or fiberglass screens, but the manufacturer says PollenTec reduces visible light and air movement by about 30%.
PollenTec is available as ready-made screens for windows and patio doors in roller, hinged, and removable versions. The screen mesh is also sold by the square foot.
—Patrick McCombe writes about construction and woodworking from his home in Stowe, Vt.
posted in: Blogs, weatherizing, windows, doors, outdoor spaces, porch
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