TWL: Exterior window mesh
Not knowing exactly what to call it, I used the term above to describe the
screen mesh placed over the exterior windows of a boat. On my boat it
presently has this cover over the windshield only and it is in need of
replacement so I am addressing the subject to the list for recommendations.
It is my assumption that the purpose of this mesh covering is two-fold in
that while it offers some additional privacy to the interior of the boat,
it's primary purpose is to reduce both UV penetration into the interior of
the boat and to reduce the heat build up in the boat from the direct
sunlight.
My existing mesh is in black, this does match the original finish of the
window frames which is in black also. But, the main trim color of my boat
is a dark blue and I am considering a blue mesh to match that. However, I
also want to consider white. I am also considering expanding the coverage
to include all of the salon windows, not just the windshield.
Since my cruising area is S. Florida and we got plenty of sun, my question
is while esthetically the black or blue looks good, would it be a wiser and
more practical investment to go with a white as it would seem that it would
do a lot more to reduce the effects of the suns rays? The canvas guy I got
an estimate from this morning said that he doesn't think there is a
significant difference in results based upon color. I personally tend to
disagree thinking that the white would result in a marked reduction in
interior heat. Anyone on the list able to give me their experience with
this?
Thanks,
Jim Alexander
M/V Emily Rose
43 Vista
I have the blue on the front and forward side windows of the
wheel-house on my Nordic 37. My primary objective was to diminish
the green-house effect and the results have been very satisfactory.
There are internal translucent fabric drop-down shades on both sides
of the saloon, but I am still considering actions for the remaining
glass areas (which do remain a problem). Highly recommended is vinyl
(?) sheeting often applied to the interior of automobile windows.
--Paul Turner
M/V Manitou III
NT37-35
Potomac MD
At 12:05 PM -0500 2/12/02, Jim Alexander wrote:
Not knowing exactly what to call it, I used the term above to describe the
screen mesh placed over the exterior windows of a boat. On my boat it
presently has this cover over the windshield only and it is in need of
replacement so I am addressing the subject to the list for recommendations.
--[snip]--
Jim wrtote:
Since my cruising area is S. Florida and we got plenty of sun, my question
is while esthetically the black or blue looks good, would it be a wiser
and
more practical investment to go with a white as it would seem that it
would
do a lot more to reduce the effects of the suns rays? (endsnip)
Jim, while I have no experience with this exactly, we did just go through
part of this decision ourselves. Our Albin has the navy blue canvas covers
on various things & now a new navy blue enclosure. There was already a navy
windshield cover. We thought about getting the blue mesh for the other
windows, but no one in our area had a blue that really matched. The mesh
looked purple next to the canvas. That might narrow your choice to black or
white, & I agree with you that there almost HAS to be a big difference in
heat absorption between the two! We decided that when we do the window
covers, we will go with white.
Brent Hodges
M/V Friendship
43 Albin Sundeck
Hot Southern Texas
We have black mesh on the windshield and white mesh on the side windows on
our pilothouse. The intense heat being absorbed by the black mesh can be
felt from a distance of 3 feet away. It is so intense that the white mesh
seems to be almost cool. When the black gets too old, it will be replaced
with white. Incidentally, we previously had a light blue canvas windshield
cover which was almost as hot as the black mesh.
Kalani is in southwest Florida except when we are cruising further south.
Tom Little
DeFever 49 PH
The window mesh comes in different sizes. The one we have on our windshield
in the pilothouse is white and is a close-woven mesh although you can see
through it. You would not believe the difference it makes in keeping out
the heat.
Two years ago we had our canvas man make some for our salon windows. I
particularly specified a larger weave in the mesh so that it would also act
as a bug screen if I wanted to open the sliding windows. It keeps out
yellow jackets, flies and big mosquitos. Can't tell where the little
mosquitos came from. I don't think we ran into any no-see-ems so I would
deem it a success. Best of all, at the dock you can see out but during the
day no one can see in and it also protects the teak trim around the windows.
We have only had white so I cannot compare by experience only that our
neighbor has dark blue and their boat gets hot (if it ever gets hot in the
Pacific Northwest and Alaska).
Anne & Bob
Seabird
Port Townsend, WA
If you do a search on google for the product Textilene you will find all
kinds of websites about this product. This is the mesh that is used to
make sun covers for our boat windows. It comes in two meshes. Choose
the denser mesh (weave) for better UV blockage.
e.g. sites http://www.twitchelltextilene.com/prod01.htm
Check with awning manufactures and patio furniture manufactures. We
brought a large roll from a company that was moving and wanted to unload
inventory. Got enough to cover all the windows on the boat, give some
away and still have a fair amount left over for $100 Canadian, cash no
tax.
Cheers
Al Binnington
GB 36 FALKOR
Guelph, Ontario