Choose a fly screen without drilling

In a rented home, the usual fly screen is a problem: most framed models are screwed to the window frame, and a lease often forbids drilling the windows. There are, however, several ways to fit a fly screen without a drill. This guide goes through them, explains how to measure your window and lists what to check in the instructions before you buy. Every screen mentioned here is in our selection of fly screens without drilling, where you can filter by width and height.

Four ways to hold without drilling

Self-adhesive hook-and-loop

This is the most common solution: a self-adhesive hook-and-loop tape is stuck to the window frame, and the mesh attaches to it. The mesh is cut to the size of the window. Examples: tesa Insect Stop hook-and-loop window screen, up to 150 × 180 cm, or Windhager PLUS Standard window insect screen, up to 150 cm wide and 180 cm high.

The point to check in a rental: removing the adhesive. tesa states residue-free removal for its Premium range, such as the tesa Insect Stop Premium hook-and-loop window screen, but not for its standard model. Windhager does not say its tapes come off without marks. If you must hand back spotless window frames, prefer a model whose manufacturer states residue-free removal.

A frame hung on the window

Some aluminium frames hang on the window frame with the springs or brackets supplied, without drilling. The tesa Insect Stop FALT telescopic aluminium window screen adjusts from 80 × 80 to 140 × 140 cm without cutting. The tesa Insect Stop aluminium frame window screen can be cut to up to 120 × 150 cm, but tesa requires all four sides to sit flush with the frame and 18 mm of space between the window frame and the shutters.

The tesa Insect Stop clip-on frame screen clips into self-adhesive clips: it is made for inward-opening tilt-and-turn PVC windows.

Magnets

The Windhager PLUS magnetic frame window screen goes on from the outside: a self-adhesive magnetic strip is stuck on the window frame, and the frame attaches to it. It suits windows up to 94 cm wide and 114 cm high, and Windhager advises against it on a window with a weather bar.

Door curtains

For a French window or a balcony door, a curtain saves opening and closing a frame every time you walk through. The strip and magnetic curtains in our selection are stuck to the door frame with hook-and-loop tape. The tesa Insect Stop magnetic door curtain comes in several sizes, from 80 × 200 to 120 × 240 cm, but cannot be cut down: pick the right size when you buy.

Measuring your window

1. Find where the screen goes: on the fixed window frame, on the opening sash or in the reveal. The manufacturer’s instructions say which, and the stated sizes refer to it.
2. Measure the width and height there, in centimetres, at several points: an old window is not always square. Keep the largest value.
3. Compare with the product’s sizes. A mesh you cut to size must be at least as large as the window; a telescopic frame or a curtain that cannot be cut must cover your measurement within its range.
4. Check the constraints: space needed between the window and the shutter, a weather bar at the bottom of the window, the way it opens. They change from one model to the next.

In our selection, just enter the width and height to cover: the list keeps only the fly screens whose sizes, as stated by the manufacturer, fit.

Roof windows

A roof window opens by pivoting, which needs a fixing that follows the movement. The tesa Insect Stop Premium roof window screen goes up with Powerstrips, without drilling, and tesa states it comes off without marks. The Windhager EXPERT roof window insect screen attaches with self-adhesive hook-and-loop and has a built-in zip.

Before fitting

• Prepare the frame and stick the adhesive as the manufacturer’s instructions say: surface preparation, fitting temperature and waiting times depend on them.
• Read the instructions to the end: compatibility, space needed, mesh care and removal vary from one brand to another.

If you are unsure what your tenancy agreement allows, ask your landlord or letting agent before fitting anything.

Taking the screen down when you move out

Unhook the mesh or the frame, then remove the adhesive tapes following the manufacturer’s instructions. Before the check-out inspection, make sure the window frame is clean, with no trace of glue.