The Ultimate Guide to Exterior Screens
Winter in the Tri-Cities can be unpredictable. Wind, rain, and freezing temperatures quickly wear down patios, porches, and outdoor spaces, leaving furniture and flooring vulnerable.
Across the U.S., winter weather caused an estimated $61.8 million in property damage between November and April 2024. This is proof that even light moisture and cold can cause serious harm.
As such, many homeowners in Washington are turning to exterior screens for security. These custom-built barriers (available as retractable screens, patio screens, or door screens) are designed to protect your outdoor areas from the elements. Built from durable fabric and strong frames, they help block cold air, retain warmth, and prevent harmful UV rays from damaging furniture and surfaces.
Modern exterior screens can even connect with smart home systems and smart devices, offering easy wireless remote control for opening and closing.
Whether you want to create shade in summer or warmth in winter, they improve energy efficiency, enhance comfort, and extend the life of your outdoor areas.
Let’s talk about it!
Weather & Sun Protection
Eastern Washington’s winters bring strong winds, rain, and the occasional snowstorm that can easily damage unprotected patios and porches. Exterior screens act as a weather shield, helping homeowners protect outdoor structures from long-term wear, moisture, and sun damage.
Shielding Against Wind and Cold Air
Cold gusts can sweep through open porches and lower nearby indoor temperatures. Exterior screens form a sturdy barrier that blocks these drafts while still allowing gentle airflow.
By reducing heat loss around windows and doors, they help keep your house cozier and lower the strain on your heating system during the coldest months.
Keeping Rain and Snow Out
When rain or snow blows into your patio or deck area, water can pool and soak into surfaces. Installing patio screens prevents that exposure, keeping flooring, furniture, and décor dry. You’ll avoid mold, mildew, and stains while maintaining a cleaner, more inviting outdoor space, even through stormy weather.
Increasing the Life of Outdoor Materials
Over time, moisture and temperature swings break down finishes on wood, metal, and fabric. Exterior screens reduce that wear dramatically. With a protective barrier in place, materials hold their color, resist corrosion, and stay looking new longer.
Energy Efficiency Benefits
Homes across the Tri-Cities lose a surprising amount of heat through gaps in doors, windows, and outdoor openings. Professionally installed exterior screens provide insulation and help stabilize interior temperatures, delivering measurable energy efficiency gains all year.
Reducing Heat Loss and Drafts
Each screen adds an insulating pocket of air between indoor and outdoor environments. That extra layer traps warmth, limits drafts, and keeps your living areas more comfortable.
Most likely, you’ll notice fewer cold spots near large openings and steadier heating throughout your space.
Improving Temperature Control
Exterior screens don’t just stop heat from escaping. Instead, they regulate it.
By slowing heat transfer, they make it easier to maintain a consistent temperature across porches, sunrooms, and connecting living rooms. This balance helps your heating system run more efficiently and extends its lifespan.
Letting in Natural Light and Passive Heat
Unlike solid walls or plastic coverings, solar screens let daylight through while filtering out glare and UV exposure. They trap gentle warmth from the sun’s heat without creating excess brightness.
The result is a naturally lit, pleasant environment that feels open yet cozy even on cool days.
Lowering Energy Costs
Because your HVAC system doesn’t need to work as hard to compensate for drafts, you’ll see a steady drop in energy costs. Over time, the savings from better insulation offset the cost of installation, making exterior screens one of the most practical upgrades for Tri-Cities homeowners.
In fact, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has even reported that exterior window insect screens alone can reduce solar heat gain by as much as 46% versus 14% for interior screens. That’s a significant difference!
Protecting Outdoor Living Spaces
Your outdoor areas are an extension of your home. Moisture, debris, and temperature swings can quickly wear them down, but motorized screens and retractable screens add year-round protection that preserves their look and value.
Preventing Moisture Damage
Rain and snow can rot wood, rust metal, and destroy cushions. Exterior screens create a physical barrier that keeps water off surfaces. With less moisture exposure, you’ll prevent structural deterioration and avoid the musty odors that come from trapped dampness.
Minimizing Wear from Wind and Debris
Eastern Washington winds often carry dust, leaves, and small debris that scratch paint and finishes. By blocking that airborne grit, screens maintain the visual appeal of your deck or patio and reduce how often you have to deep-clean or refinish surfaces.
Preserving Furniture and Finishes
Outdoor fabrics and finishes fade quickly when hit by the sun and temperature swings. Screens diffuse sunlight and stabilize air temperatures, helping furniture, cushions, and flooring last longer.
Ultimately, you’ll save money on replacements while keeping your setup looking fresh.
Keeping Spaces Ready to Use
Less grime and fewer repairs mean your patios and porches stay guest-ready even after winter storms. Once spring arrives, all you need is a quick rinse rather than a full restoration to free up your outdoor spaces right away.
Comfort and Privacy
Exterior screens aren’t just functional; they make outdoor living more enjoyable. They create cozy, private environments that feel like natural extensions of your home.
Blocking Cold Drafts
During chilly evenings, screens act as a buffer against cold air. Even without extra heaters, you’ll feel warmer on your porch or enclosed patio, making it easier to enjoy your space year-round.
Allowing Natural Light
Screens gently filter sunlight, bringing in brightness without glare. This keeps enclosed areas feeling spacious and cheerful, even on gray winter days.
Improving Privacy and Visibility
The fine mesh used in many exterior screens limits visibility from the outside, protecting you from prying eyes while still giving you a clear view of your yard or garden. It’s an elegant way to maintain privacy without sacrificing openness.
Supporting Year-Round Use
With motorized screens or retractable screens, you can adapt your environment instantly. Keep them open for airflow on hot summer days, closed for warmth on cool nights. The flexibility keeps your outdoor retreat comfortable in every season.
Durability and Low Maintenance
Eastern Washington’s climate swings from dry heat to icy cold. Fortunately, residential exterior screens are engineered to withstand all of it, providing lasting performance with minimal upkeep.
Built for Harsh Weather
High-strength fabric resists tearing, fading, and stretching. Powder-coated aluminum or steel frames add durability and prevent corrosion, even after years of exposure to wind, rain, and direct sun.
Long-Lasting Performance
Each custom-built screen is designed for constant outdoor use. Once properly installed, it stays taut and stable, resisting sagging and wear. That reliability gives you consistent protection through every season.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
A quick rinse with mild soap and water removes dust and debris. Because the materials are designed for outdoor use, maintenance is simple. There’s no need for repainting or refinishing.
Cost-Effective Over Time
By reducing repairs to furniture, decking, and finishes, exterior screens pay for themselves. Their long lifespan makes them a smart investment for homeowners focused on durability and long-term value.
Why You Should Choose Professionals for Installation
Even the best screen system won’t perform its best without expert installation. A precise fit and the right mounting method guarantee proper function, clean appearance, and dependable protection.
Accurate Measurements and Perfect Fit
A perfect fit makes all the difference. Professionals take detailed measurements of each opening (large or small) to create a snug, seamless result. This eliminates gaps that could allow wind, rain, or insects to sneak through.
Expert Mounting and Installation
Proper mounting determines how well your screens handle pressure from wind or movement. Experienced installers use secure fasteners, strong framing, and proven techniques so your screens stay aligned and operate smoothly for years.
Optimized for Local Conditions
At Patio Covers Unlimited NW, we design each system for the Tri-Cities’ specific climate patterns. We consider sunlight angles, wind direction, and layout to install screens that perform reliably through every season.
Long-Term Reliability and Warranty Support
Professional installation also gives you access to warranty coverage and service support. If adjustments are ever needed, you have a team ready to respond and address your concerns.
What Makes Patio Covers Unlimited NW Different
For homeowners in Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, we’re the trusted name for residential patio and screen systems built to handle Northwest weather while complementing your home’s design.
Built for the Northwest Lifestyle
From patio screens to door screens, solar screens, and large openings, our products are crafted to combine strength and beauty. Each system improves energy efficiency, enhances comfort, and protects your space from every seasonal challenge.
Quality Materials and Expert Craftsmanship
We use high-performance materials that resist moisture, wind, and UV damage. With precise installation, your motorized screens or retractable screens deliver smooth operation and lasting performance. Our attention to detail means every project looks clean and cohesive.
Trusted by Tri-Cities Homeowners
Most of our work comes from repeat clients and referrals who’ve experienced firsthand how much difference our screens make. They highlight the craftsmanship, professionalism, and reliability that keep their outdoor spaces comfortable all year.
Protect Your Home and Outdoor Spaces This Winter
Exterior screens are one of the smartest upgrades you can make for your home. They guard against wind, rain, and cold while improving energy efficiency and comfort.
As the colder months approach, now’s the time to install motorized screens, solar screens, or patio screens to keep your outdoor spaces warm, private, and ready for use.
At Patio Covers Unlimited NW, we design custom-built systems that fit your exact specifications (from large openings to sliding doors), available for consultation or online order.
Keep your home shielded from harmful UV rays, insects, and the elements, while maximizing your outdoor enjoyment. Request your free quote today and learn why Tri-Cities homeowners trust us to design and install durable, stylish exterior screens that truly perform.
