[irishspy]

I hear you sometimes I look at things that need to be done and wonder why? would someone hire someone to do that job. I forget a brain surgeon is an expert at what he does but he may not be able to hit a nail or screw a screw in correct where I can do those things I would not be much use as a brain surgeon. I hope I never get the to mixed up Good luck I am sure you will find someone to install your screens at a fair price it still will save you money in the long run.

[ScoopLV]

Even brain surgeons can likely see value in DIYing solar screens. We're looking at a difference of several thousand dollars. If someone is in the financial position where several thousand is no big thing -- like finding a quarter under the couch cushions -- then fine.

But for most people several thousand is a fairly big deal. Making and installing solar screens is a weekend project. The hardest part about it is accurately measuring the window frames. So if someone is incapable of using a tape measure, fine. But for most of us mere mortals, this is an ideal project to start with. People who are afraid of power tools can skip the chow saw and buy a $10 miter box and a $10 hack saw.

There is nothing to this. On a scale of 1-10 where 1 is changing a lightbulb and 10 is replacing the roof, making solar screens is a 2.

[C_A_Braun]

Scoop,

Some people have it and some people don’t. I too am one of those that do not. Heck, I can’t even put together a book case from Walmart that comes in a box with 4 sides, 2 shelves and 12 screws. I am just not that adept at things like that and I know that 10 times out of 10 the unit that I have tried to put together will end up a pile of toothpicks before I am done because I will get pissed at the first thing that doesn’t go right and start smashing the crap out of the bookcase and anything else that is near it. I can only imagine the 1000’s of dollars of damage I would do to my home at the first sign of any trouble installing solar screens. So it is not about me rolling in money and therefore hiring someone else to do these types of things when I could do it myself for pennies on the dollar. It is about me saving a ton of money by hiring someone else to do it for me because of the destruction I will cause at the first sign of something going wrong. I am not kidding at all, if a screw didn’t go in straight or something, I would seriously start smashing windows out of frustration.

On the other hand, give me any computer problem that would have the average person doing the same sorts of things above to their computer if they tried to fix it themselves and I have not problem patiently working on the issue until it is fully resolved where many people would take and drop their computer off the roof out of frustration.

It is just the way some people’s brains work. I have no aptitude for putting things together or fixing things around the house and I am the first to admit it. Yes, I even once had to call a friend to come over and remove an old fluorescent light bulb in my bathroom when it went out a number of years ago. I just could not figure out how to get it out of the socket and after about 20 minutes of screwing around with it and gave my friend a call and he came over and a few seconds later he just pulled it straight out. I had just spent 20 minutes trying to twist it to the left. I am lucky I didn’t snap it right off and cut my hands to shreads.

So yeah, if changing a light bulb is a 1 to you, I guess it is a 10 to me and therefore if installing solar screens is a 2 to you that would make it about a 20 for me and perhaps for the OP as well, based on his comments.

[ScoopLV]

To put this into computer parlance, this is the same as defragging a drive. It simply isn't hard.

There was a time when I wasn't mechanically inclined. I came to the realization that I would either have to man up and teach myself how to do home improvement projects, or bend over and take every reaming that every skeevy contractor in Las Vegas felt like giving me.

This is something that anyone can learn. If they choose not to, that's fine. But they're resigning themselves to a lifetime of being dependent on others for basic life skills. Anyone CAN do this. But not everyone will.

[qingguy]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

The hardest part about it is accurately measuring the window frames. So if someone is incapable of using a tape measure, fine.

Funny you mention this - I ordered blinds for our new house on-line due to the cost savings, 36 windows and I screwed-up the measuring on two of them LOL!! Had to send one back and the installer had to cut the other one down.

[LVAllen]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

This is something that anyone can learn. If they choose not to, that's fine.

+1. If you can use a tape measure and cut a steak, you can assemble screens.

[Spades45]

make sure you look at/through some before you install. they look hideous and if you look out the windows ever you will immediately regret your decision.

[qingguy]

Originally Posted by Spades45

make sure you look at/through some before you install. they look hideous and if you look out the windows ever you will immediately regret your decision.

You forgot to add "in my opinion" lol.

[qingguy]

Screens are installed and we already LOVE them. Noticed a difference in temp. the first day. Guy did a bang-up job and they look great. Great pricing too; we did 33 of our 36 windows.

In terms of looking through them and comment regarding regretting our decision; during the summer we didn't look through our windows at all because the blinds drawn to keep the rooms cool. Now we can keep the blinds open and actually look outside! I agree that it doesn't let in as much light, however, we were keeping the blinds closed anyway.

I use mPower from NV Energy and I'm looking forward to comparing temps this week to similar historical days.

[longton52]

well ..... now that the job is done and you're happy with it, are you going to tell us which company you used?