Variations in Australian Flyscreens

16 May 2017

Fly Screens can come in many colours and sizes. However in Australia when talking of aluminium fly screens there are basically two sizes most commonly used. The two most common frame are 11 mm x 25 mm and 9 mm x 22 mm.

11 mm or 9 mm is the thickness of the frame and 25 mm or 22 mm is the width of the frame face. 9 mm x 22 mm is a much less common frame and is not as strong. Some recesses will only accommodate this smaller frame and care must be given when measuring so as not to mistake it with the 11 mm x 25 mm frame.

All Seconline fly screens come standard with a centre horizontal strength bar.

Measuring fly screens is very much a common sense approach. Fundamentally there are two basic ways of fitting your screen; Recess fixing and face fixing.

Recess Fixing: Recess fixing is using the aluminium recess that is part of the original window extrusion specifically designed to accommodate a fly screen. These recesses can be in both double hung vertically opening style windows as well as left to right sash style opening windows. Over the years they have been literally hundreds of different variations in both of these types of windows. However, they generally will have an allowance for a recess so as to allow the installation of a fly screen. Fitting screens in this way can be assisted by the use of plunger or pusher pins which are fitted to the frame during assembly and are used to hold the screen in place once fitted into the window recess. Plunger pins can be purchased in addition to your screen by selecting the tick box when entering your measurements.

Face fixing: Aluminium double hung style windows will mostly have a recess allowance for a fly screen, however, this is not the case with most timber windows and so the easiest method of fixing is directly to the face of the timber window sill. This is usually done with clear 11mm PVC turnbuckles which can be purchased by selecting the tick box when entering your measurements.

Face fixing can be the easiest method of attaching fly screens to a window, and is an option in nearly all cases. This can alleviate the complications of deductions needed for recess fixing and allow easy removal for cleaning.

Some Australian Windows are push out style windows which also can be called hopper or casement windows. These are a little difficult if there is no provision or recess for any internal flyscreen. There are some approaches that may be useful when considering adapting fly screens to this style of window.

• Window Winders can be used, this allows the fly screen to sit on top of the winder and the window is opened by winding the handle to push out the window allowing the screen to stay in position, however, an allowance for the height of the winder (Usually 20 mm) will be need to be deducted and backfilled either side using timber or angle.
• Also they can be hinged. Small hinges are available at most hardware stores as well as small handles that can be useful to lift up the screen or if wanted to swing the screen out.
• Removal of the screen every time you want to open the window is an option, however, not very practical.

Measuring screens: Emphasis must be given to the removal of the screen in most cases for cleaning. Therefore when considering measurements for fly screens please make allowances for clearances so as to remove and reinstall, this is imperative in a recess fix situation. To advise on measurements for recess fixing is difficult given the amount of window type variations.

A couple of tips when measuring:

• Use a steel or school type ruler to gain accurate recess depths.
• Some screens are not designed to be removed from the outside therefore the internal sliding sash must be removed prior so as to allow the screen to be fitted/removed internally. 
• If you are replacing existing screens and they are a good fit then they can simply be remeasured.
• Face fix. Simply measure the size required.
• Thoroughly read all measuring information in the FAQ area of our website.

View the full range of Seconline Fly Screens and Security Window Screens.