If you had heeded your brother’s advice and installed kickplates, you wouldn’t be standing here looking at that huge area of screen near the bottom there that was totally destroyed. When the kids said they left their turtle out there, you had assured them it would be okay. But, apparently, the call to freedom was strong… He was such a docile little creature. How could something so small do so much damage?
Once you’ve taken the plunge and enclosed your outdoor living area, you want it to last as long as possible, right? Maybe it’s time to consider upping your investment protection.
Installing kickplates around the bottom section of your screen enclosure will greatly reduce the likelihood of damage.
What’s a kickplate?
Officially a kickplate is described as a thin—yet durable—strip of aluminum that can be attached to the bottom of your screen. They’re usually between eight and sixteen inches high. They are installed around the entire perimeter of an enclosure to obtain maximum benefit.
Nontraditional kickplates are seen more often now too due to the ever-increasing popularity of screening in your outdoor living space. Homeowners incorporate wood or some other material into their design from the start. Stone kickplate barriers are another increasingly popular choice.
3 reasons to install kickplates
One of the reasons is relevant to all homeowners and the other two might or might not be a threat on an ongoing basis. However, if you have family and friends—and, of course, you do—odds are that the integrity of your screens could be damaged by them.
We’ll start with the reason relevant to all.
Wind and water
We’re all aware of the damage that winds can cause so we should note here that screen enclosures must be built to meet Florida’s strict building code. Kickplates reinforce the structure even more.
Moreover, the wind is great at blowing leaves and other yard debris up against your enclosure. Your screens can suffer damage when you’re raking it away. A kickplate would eliminate that risk entirely.
Water from rain, roof drainage, or even a poorly aimed sprinkler system can eventually damage the screens. Moreover, if it continuously gets through to the interior, your flooring and furniture could suffer damage too.
Children
Whether they’re your kids or someone else’s, some of them seem to have a fascination with seams. And, occasionally, if left unattended, they sometimes succumb to the urge to “fiddle” with the seam at the bottom of a screen. It’s as if they instinctively know to go for the floor area too, isn’t it? If it’s an ongoing fascination and you don’t catch it—did your imagination take over there? It could turn into an issue for sure.
Not to mention that all children are naturally rambunctious. Roughhousing can quickly turn into accidentally damaging screens or furniture, of course. Toys, such as cars, trucks, and the like slamming into the base of the screen might not bode well either.
Pets
It doesn’t take much to get a dog’s attention—yours has had a “squirrel” moment or two, right? And, if you have a large breed and he sees something he wants, he’s apt to go for it! All it could take is leaving him alone outside while you run in to get your book and he could be gone when you return—leaving a gaping hole where he ripped through the screen like it was nothing.
Any pet can easily damage your screens though. Clawing or nipping at mesh is not conducive to maintaining its integrity.
You can have added protection at the base of your screens with the reinforcement that kickplates provide. Moreover, if you have a small animal, it can totally eliminate the possibility! Remember that tip when you’re determining the height of your kickplate.
Kick back and relax
Once you’ve spent the money to screen in your outdoor living area, adding kickplates—or incorporating them into your design—is a great way to increase your comfort level. You’ll be able to kick back and relax knowing that you’ve gone the extra mile to protect your investment.
Kickplates are durable, affordable, attractive, and convenient. Moreover, they strengthen the integrity of your enclosure. All valid reasons to make installing kickplates worth the additional investment. Not to mention that your increased comfort level means you’re less likely to get grumpy with the kids while they’re, oh, say roughhousing or slamming cars into the base of the enclosure because it’s the finish line.