Installing a Screen in a Window with Bars

LavaKnight

Hey all you home improvement minded folks,

I just moved into a new apartment in NYC (Queens) and having lived on the West Coast all my life, was unprepared for how muggy and buggy it can be here. If we stay another summer we'll probably buy an air conditioning unit, but will probably just tough it out for another month until the weather turns cooler.

That said, I would like to avoid being eaten alive by bugs in the next month. We have been leaving our window open at night due to the heat, which I know is letting in all sorts of bitey bugs. I hope a screen would solve this, but the only kind I have experience with are the slide in kind where there's a track in the window.

It seems like that's the case here, but there are some railings in the way. Does anyone have any experience with removing those, or installing screens around them somehow? My only idea involves the screen material itself and zipties, which is an inelegant solution at best.

Here are some photos:





Thanks for the help! Also, apologies if this isn't formatted very well. I'm posting from my phone until I find a desk to set my pc upon.

Raern

I came in here expecting some kind of operating system problem.

Anyway, a simple solution that requires minimal effort to install is a magnetic screen similar to this:
http://onlyonemdecor.com/home/wp-content/uploads/magnetic.jpg

LavaKnight

Ha! Yeah, I guess using the plural made it a little ambiguous.

Also, did not know those existed! Searching for them brings up a bunch of as seen on tv things, though. Is this now something I could easily get at the hardware store?

Still though, magnets are a pretty good idea. If I'm not able to find those, some plain mesh with magnets might just work.

Thanks!

Raern

I never bought one myself. My parents have them on a couple of windows in their house, I believe they got them installed through a local contractor as part of a larger job including blinds and window tinting. We're in New Zealand though so I can't really help with specifics.

Esh

You could get those sliding screens that adjust to the size of the window and you can take them in and out.

LavaKnight

Oh nice. Didn't know to look for those, so thanks!

I found them at Home Depot and they fit nicely in our windows. Moving them doesn't seem to be that much of a hassle (he says not knowing how frustrating they will become), and they were certainly cheaper than any other options.

Thanks again you two!