Pollen-Resistant Screens for Spring: What You Need to Know

The Problem with Pollen in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is known for its year-round mild climate, but that same climate supports a long and intense pollen season. Trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen from late winter through fall, creating months of discomfort for allergy sufferers. Even with windows closed, pollen can enter your home through gaps, cracks, and standard window screens.

Standard window screens with an 18x16 mesh count are designed to keep insects out, but they allow most pollen particles to pass through freely. Pollen grains typically range from 10 to 100 microns in size, and the openings in standard screen mesh are large enough to let most of them through.

How Pollen Resistant Screens Work

Pollen resistant screens use a finer mesh than standard window screens, with smaller openings that can filter out a significant portion of airborne pollen. These screens are sometimes called:

• Allergy screens
• Pollen filter screens
• Fine mesh screens
• No-see-um screens (when the mesh is fine enough to block very small insects as well)

The finer the mesh, the more pollen it can filter — but finer mesh also reduces airflow slightly. The best pollen resistant screens balance filtration with adequate ventilation.

Types of Pollen Resistant Screens

Fine Mesh Fiberglass Screens

Fine mesh fiberglass screens with a 20x20 or higher mesh count can filter out larger pollen particles while still allowing reasonable airflow. These are a cost-effective option for homeowners looking to reduce pollen entry.

Electrostatic Screens

Some specialty screens use electrostatic properties to attract and capture pollen and dust particles. These screens can be more effective at filtering fine particles than standard mesh screens.

Solar Screens

Solar screens use a dense mesh that also provides some pollen filtration as a secondary benefit. While their primary purpose is heat reduction, their tighter weave can help reduce the amount of pollen entering your home.

Benefits of Pollen Resistant Screens

• Reduced indoor pollen levels: Fine mesh screens can significantly reduce the amount of pollen entering your home through open windows.
• Improved indoor air quality: By filtering out pollen and other airborne particles, these screens can help improve the overall air quality inside your home.
• Allergy symptom relief: Reducing pollen exposure can help alleviate allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
• Natural ventilation: Unlike air conditioning, which recirculates indoor air, pollen resistant screens allow fresh outdoor air to enter while filtering out allergens.

Pollen Free Screens for Porch Areas

Porch screen enclosures can be fitted with fine mesh screens to create a pollen-reduced outdoor living area. This allows you to enjoy your porch or patio during allergy season without the full exposure to outdoor pollen.

A screened porch with fine mesh screens can:

• Reduce pollen levels significantly compared to an unscreened porch
• Allow you to enjoy outdoor air without direct pollen exposure
• Provide a comfortable outdoor space during allergy season
• Add value to your home

Limitations of Pollen Resistant Screens

It's important to understand that pollen resistant screens can reduce but not eliminate pollen entry. Very fine pollen particles may still pass through even the finest mesh screens. For maximum pollen reduction, pollen resistant screens should be used in combination with:

• Regular cleaning of screens to remove accumulated pollen
• Air purifiers with HEPA filters for indoor air quality
• Keeping windows closed during peak pollen hours (typically morning)

How Screen Master Door & Window Can Help

Screen Master Door & Window provides mobile screen repair and installation services across Greater Los Angeles. We can help you select and install the right fine mesh screens for your windows and porch areas to reduce pollen entry and improve indoor air quality.

Contact us at (323) 313-8167 or request a free estimate online. We serve Rosemead, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and all of Greater Los Angeles.