This $40 magnetic screen door is your ticket to a bug-free home this summer

Pests can be a significant nuisance in a home, but by integrating smart design choices and maintenance practices, homeowners can effectively deter them while simultaneously enhancing the aesthetic appeal of their living spaces. Several experts in home improvement, pest management, and entomology offer practical advice on how to achieve a pest-free environment through strategic design. These methods extend beyond traditional pest control, focusing on preventive measures that blend seamlessly with home aesthetics. One crucial area for pest prevention involves upgrading screens and windows. Faulty windows can create air leaks that attract various pests. Replacing old, damaged windows with lab-tested ones featuring fusion-welded corners and durable weatherstripping can form a robust barrier against insects and other critters. Architectural trim can be utilized to conceal sealing work, addressing tiny cracks that bugs exploit for entry without compromising interior design. Instead of leaving visible caulk or foam, homeowners can use decorative trim, baseboards, or facade details to cover these necessary fixes, making them an integrated part of the home's design. Lighting choices also play a role in pest deterrence. Bright white exterior lights are known to attract bugs. Replacing these with warm-toned, energy-efficient options like LEDs, especially for entry points such as doorsteps and garages, can significantly reduce insect activity. Motion-sensor or solar-powered lights for patios and gardens further limit continuous illumination, maintaining a cozy ambiance while keeping pests away. Additionally, stylish door sweeps can be installed to create barriers around doors and windows. Available in various finishes, these low-profile sweeps effectively block pests without detracting from the home's appearance. Interior flooring choices impact pest attraction. Carpets, while comfortable, can harbor crumbs, dust, moisture, and pet dander, which attract bugs, dust mites, and carpet beetles. Switching to hard flooring options like hardwood, luxury plank, or tile makes cleaning easier and lasts longer. While rugs can be used for comfort, seasonal deep cleaning is recommended. Maintaining a clean border around the home's exterior is equally important. Mulch or dense vegetation placed directly against the house creates ideal conditions for pests to thrive. Trimming back tree branches and avoiding storing firewood close to the foundation helps to remove potential habitats and entry points for critters. Indoor plants, while decorative, can attract gnats and ants if overwatered. Using planters with built-in drainage trays, avoiding clustering plants in dark corners, and displaying them on elevated stands help manage moisture levels. Grouping plants in balanced arrangements also improves airflow, reducing soil moisture that attracts pests. Lastly, proper gutter maintenance is essential. Regularly inspecting and cleaning gutters ensures effective drainage, preventing standing water and moisture buildup that attract pests. Incorporating French drains, downspout extensions, and gravel perimeter trenches (dry moats) around the foundation can further reduce pest pressure by creating dry buffer zones, discouraging burrowing pests like moles and insects. #PestControl #HomeDesign #PestPrevention #HomeImprovement #InteriorDesign #ExteriorMaintenance #WindowUpgrade #SmartLighting

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has heightened awareness about hygiene, particularly regarding frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to install a hands-free entry system for your front door, combining a push-to-open doorknob with a smart lock that features automatic locking and unlocking capabilities. This setup allows individuals to enter their homes without making physical contact with the doorknob, thereby reducing germ transmission. The first step involves selecting a suitable push-to-open doorknob. The Brink’s Push Pull Rotate is recommended, as it is widely available and compatible with various smart locks. It comes in different configurations, including round, lever, and decorative handlesets, ranging in price from $20 to $160. The choice depends on personal style and finish preferences, as all versions can integrate with a smart lock. Next, choosing the right smart lock is crucial. The market offers two main types: regular and retrofit. Regular smart locks necessitate replacing the entire existing lock, including the deadbolt. In contrast, retrofit smart locks allow the existing deadbolt to remain in place, making installation generally easier. However, retrofit smart locks are exclusively compatible with deadbolts, not mortise locks, which are typically found in most residential homes. Consumer Reports' testing highlights the August Smart Lock + Connect ($200) and August Smart Lock Pro + Connect ($280) as high-performing retrofit models. These locks received excellent ratings for ease of setup and connectivity. The Pro model offers additional compatibility with Apple HomeKit and Z-Wave smart home hubs. For those preferring to replace the entire lock, the Yale Assure YRD256 Connected by August ($300) is a viable option. These smart locks are controlled via the August smartphone app and incorporate auto-unlock features that sense the proximity of a smartphone to unlock the door, along with door sensors to indicate if the door is left open. The installation process begins with the doorknob. This involves removing the old doorknob by unscrewing the rose and detaching both knobs. The new Brink’s Push Pull Rotate knob or handleset is then installed according to its instructions. Key considerations during this step include accurately measuring the door's width (typically 1 ⅜ or 1 ¾ inches) and the backset of the knob hole (distance from door edge to hole center). These measurements determine the correct retractor and latch to use, ensuring proper fit and function. The latch's sloping face must point towards the strike plate for effective closure. Following the doorknob, the smart lock is installed. For August retrofit smart locks, this entails removing the existing deadbolt's thumb turn and mounting plate. The retrofit smart lock’s mounting plate is then screwed into place, with an adapter attached to the deadbolt's rod. The smart lock unit is then secured onto this adapter. Precision is important during this step; for elongated smart locks like the August models, using a level to ensure the lock is perfectly straight is essential for smooth deadbolt operation. An additional recommendation for enhanced security is to replace the standard strike plate with a box strike plate, fastened with 3-inch screws, which significantly improves resistance against forced entry. The final step involves configuring the smart lock's features via its smartphone app. After downloading the app, creating an account, and setting up the lock, the auto-lock and auto-unlock function should be enabled. This feature utilizes Bluetooth and the phone’s location services to automatically unlock the door upon arrival and lock it upon departure, requiring only the phone to be present. Further customization, such as setting a timed automatic lock after a few minutes, is also possible. With both the push-to-open doorknob and smart lock installed and configured, the front door can be opened hands-free, enhancing convenience and hygiene. Two recommended retrofit smart locks from CR's tests are the August Smart Lock + Connect and the August Smart Lock Pro + Connect, with the Yale Assure YRD256 Connected by August also mentioned for full lock replacement scenarios. #SmartHome #DoorSecurity #HomeImprovement #HandsFreeEntry #SmartLocks #HomeHygiene #DIYInstallation #ConsumerReports

Quanex, in partnership with Advanced Screen Systems Inc., has introduced a security screen door featuring Meshtec technology, aiming to address the increasing demand for high-performance window and door screens that offer enhanced safety, security, and durability in residential settings. This innovation comes at a time when consumers are prioritizing security, and traditional insect screens have seen little advancement over several decades. The new product transforms what was once a mere afterthought into a crucial component of home security, extending beyond simple insect deterrence. Adam Wilson, vice president of strategic sales of North American fenestration at Quanex, elaborated on the product's development and market impact. He noted a significant rise in customer requests for security-oriented fenestration products, underscoring the market's readiness for such innovations. The Meshtec-powered security screen system is designed to act as a comprehensive security solution for patio doors, a notoriously vulnerable point of entry for intruders. Statistics indicate that patio screen doors are often the easiest and most accessible way for intruders to gain access, especially when the main door is left open for ventilation. By integrating Meshtec technology, Quanex aims to mitigate this risk, providing homeowners with peace of mind. The design and development process for integrating Meshtec technology involved extensive research. The mesh product, which is unique in the industry, has a proven track record in Australia, where over 70% of homes already utilize security screens, doors, and windows for protection against intruders and embers from wildfires. Quanex’s partnership with Advanced Screen Systems, which holds exclusivity for Meshtec distribution in North America, allowed them to adapt this technology for the broader fenestration market. The company focused on how to effectively incorporate Meshtec into windows and doors and successfully introduce it to the North American market. Rigorous testing procedures were implemented to ensure the product's quality and durability, meeting high-level international standards. These tests included an impact test where a 92-pound ball was repeatedly slammed against the screen to simulate human impact, a 'Jimmy test' involving a pry bar to assess resistance against forced entry, and a knife shear test that simulated attacks with a heavy-duty knife under constant force. The mesh also underwent environmental tests, such as salt spray, solar heat, LUX intensity, and aerodynamic testing. Beyond the mesh, the multi-point locking system and frame were engineered to withstand significant impacts and prevent the door from being lifted off its track, ensuring maximum safety. Key features that differentiate this product include its unique woven, high-tensile, stainless-steel mesh, which is supplied flat to avoid defects common in rolled mesh. This mesh is made from high-end recycled stainless steel, continuously spooled, stretched for rigidity, and uniquely powder-coated for corrosion and weather protection. Aesthetically, it resembles a standard insect screen, maintaining an unobtrusive appearance. Functionally, it incorporates a multi-point locking system that secures the door in five locations along the wall, contrasting with typical single-point systems. An interlock on the passive side provides continuous top-to-bottom security, creating a robust and secure door system. Looking ahead, Quanex's product strategy is centered on offering premium security solutions that add value and safety to homes, moving beyond the traditional, often unsightly, security bars or basic screens. The company aims to leverage the unique advantages of Meshtec mesh to establish a new product category in the U.S. market. Ongoing efforts are focused on improving manufacturing processes and exploring further innovations. Once the U.S. market fully recognizes the benefits of Meshtec security screens, Quanex plans to launch additional innovative products in the coming years, continuing its commitment to advancing home security technology. #HomeSecurity #FenestrationInnovation #MeshtecTechnology #PatioDoorSecurity #HighPerformanceScreens #ResidentialSafety #BuildingMaterials #ProductDevelopment

The Walls of Troy product, a Scandinavian wall assembly, is gaining traction in America, notably highlighted at the 2025 International Builders’ Show. This product is distinguished by its composition of coarse wood fiber bound with a Portland cement binder, forming a material akin to cast-in-place concrete. The Walls of Troy panels are recognized for several key characteristics: they are renewable, resistant to mold growth, vapor-open, and versatile for various finishes. One of the primary benefits of this wall assembly is its provision of effective continuous R-value across the entire structure, contributing to superior insulation. From an environmental perspective, the product is sustainable, primarily manufactured from wood, a renewable resource. A significant advantage is its inherent resistance to microbial growth, specifically mold, ensuring a healthier indoor environment. Furthermore, its vapor-open nature allows for efficient drying, which is crucial for preventing moisture-related issues within the wall assembly. The Walls of Troy system offers a range of finishing options for both exterior and interior applications. For exterior finishes, traditional masonry render is a common choice, maintaining the vapor-open quality of the wall and facilitating substantial drying potential. Other masonry finishes, including thin stone, can also be applied. On the interior, a traditional plaster finish is recommended over conventional drywall. This approach helps to preserve the vapor-open characteristics of the assembly, contributing to a healthy, durable, and sustainable interior space. The product's adaptability and performance make it suitable for contemporary building practices that prioritize energy efficiency, durability, and indoor air quality. Its Scandinavian origins suggest a proven track record in climates that often necessitate robust building solutions to manage moisture and thermal performance effectively. The reintroduction and growing interest in the Walls of Troy in the American market underscore a shift towards more sustainable and high-performance building materials and techniques. This wall assembly presents a viable option for builders and homeowners seeking advanced solutions for wall construction that address common challenges such as mold, moisture, and insulation effectiveness, while also supporting environmental sustainability. #WallsOfTroy #MoldResistant #VaporOpen #SustainableBuilding #ContinuousRValue #ScandinavianDesign #BuildingMaterials #HighPerformanceBuilding #InternationalBuildersShow