FAQ TEST

PES now offers our bestselling commercial track and zipper mounting to residential customers. It provides you with a full top to bottom side seal and can be mounted to the interior of your structure, the solution for second story enclosures. All curtains zip and unzip from side tracks as shown. Available in PVC or aluminum.

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PES fabric is an acrylic-coated 100% woven polyester (600 denier) utilizing a proprietary process to coat both the top and bottom, thus allowing the fabric to be completely reversible. It is characterized by excellent strength, durability, tear and abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, UV and mildew resistance. This fabric was originally developed to cover military vehicles in the desert, so you can be sure it will protect your porch.  We describe it as super attractive, yet very durable! Did we mention is also doesn’t fray?

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Avoid Mishaps, Save Time & Maintain an Attractive Look

Don’t Force It (1 of 10)

If you have difficulty zipping down your enclosure please don’t force or use a tool such as pliers. Try alternating by zipping down each side of your enclosure a foot or two at a time. 

Keep it low-maintenance! And the shine alive!

1. Polish the clear portion once or twice per year using Novus cleaner/wax included in your care kit.

2. In the fall and spring, you will be rolling your enclosure up and down more often. This is a good opportunity to polish your enclosure as it will keep debris from sticking and provide a nice shine and reduce the need to wash your enclosure prior to rolling.

Things to Avoid

AVOID MOST DETERGENTS. STICK WITH A MILD SOAP (Joy, Ivory, Dawn, 7th Generation, Dishmate, Ecover) or our Novus cleaner. Apply with a clean, soft cloth or microfiber towel to gently clean the window. Never use harsh brushes or abrasives when cleaning plastic windows. Do not use products containing silicones, ammonia, or alcohol on your plastic window, such as typical commercial vinyl care products and glass cleaners.

DO NOT RUB THE CLEAR VINYL WHEN DRY – this will scratch the window. Always flood the window with water before gently wiping it with a damp, soft cloth.

Rolling Your Enclosure

1. Make sure curtains are free of dirt & debris before rolling. Rinse off any dirt or salt build-up prior to rolling up your enclosure (hose down). For more stubborn buildup, wipe down with mild soap & microfiber towel.

2. When rolling your enclosure it is always a good idea to start by hand rolling, especially if it will be up for extended periods of time. This will help reduce wrinkling the next time your enclosure is down.

Pull Cord Mistakes

1. To avoid UV refracting in the summer sun be sure your curtains are rolled up so that the clear vinyl is encased in fabric.

2. Do not leave your curtains partially rolled up so the pull cords rest on the clear portion of the clear vinyl for extended periods of time. The clear vinyl may take on the shape of the pull cords in direct sunlight.

3. Avoid pulling and tying off the pull cord too tightly, especially if the curtain isn’t rolled smoothly.

Winter Enclosure

If you plan to keep your system down for the winter, we recommend lowering all panels when the temperature is above 60 degrees. As temperatures decrease you may have some difficulty fastening your enclosure.

Cold Weather

Once the thermometer starts dropping and the crisp fall air sets in, you may experience difficulty closing your system. This is normal! The clear vinyl is getting tighter due to the cooler temps. We recommend using a Portable Forced Air Propane Heater. Having one of these in your maintenance kit is highly recommended. Blowing the heated air across the curtain will allow the curtain to relax and make securing your curtain easy. It works best with 2 people, one to hold the heater and the other to secure the curtains. Be sure to keep the heater 2-3 feet away and slowly move from side to side to ensure a uniform heat.

Freezing Temperatures

Avoid rolling up any portion of your PES with clear vinyl when temperatures are below freezing. While the clear vinyl has been tested to withstand flexing in sub-zero temperatures, this may reduce the longevity of your clear vinyl and fastening may prove difficult.

Inside Mounted Systems

Caring for an inside-mounted PES requires a bit more time. You can hose down through your screen from outside. To wipe down, you’ll need to detach it from vertical supports (either self-locking fasteners or zippers) and wipe with a shammy cloth and some mild detergent.

For quick maintenance of an inside-mounted PES, two people can clean it together. Wet & wipe down the inside manually with a soft shammy / cloth. To clean the outside-facing section, have one person gradually roll the panel up while the other uses a shammy to wipe down the back, section by section.

Wind Problems

1. A sure way to destroy your enclosure is to roll your system down and then forget to fasten it prior to heavy winds. Always secure your curtains when partially or fully down.

2. When sustained winds above 50-60 MPH are expected (a hurricane is in the forecast), you should strongly consider rolling up your panels – with all panels up. Contact PES for recommendations based on your unique system

Start by unscrewing the Phillips Head screws from the end cap on one side of your packing tubes.

If the plug is still stuck after removing the screws simply tap the side of the tube, a couple inches from the end, with a hammer to loosen.

Opened Patios often need a way to enter/exit the space. This is primarily done by splitting an opening into two smaller curtains that zip together and fasten securely to the floor in the middle. This allows each panel to be rolled up independently. For example and 10′ opening could be split into 7′ panel, and smaller 3′ panel to serve as a door.

In the photo above, a larger opening is split into 3 panels that roll up independently, with the center panel serving as a door.

We can also offer guidance on adding temporary (seasonal) or permanent posts to your spaces framework, so a traditional storm door can be added as needed to your outdoor space. This is common solution for opened patio enclosures that receive a lot of foot traffic. 

PES is the Eco-Friendly Option

Reduce Your Environmental Impact by Over 90% With PES

• Use far less building material than in a permanent enclosure or sunroom.
• We use the latest technology in high quality long lasting materials.
• Get the benefits of a 3-season room at a fraction of the cost.
• Built to last and no building permit required!
• Save time, money, and the environment while preserving a true outdoor space in your home or business.

Committed to Reducing Our Impact

• We recycle leftover panel track, roll bars, scrap metal, and PVC.
• New round shipping tubes mean more panels fit in each shipment, prevent damage in transit, and reduce waste.
• Customers can also now recycle our shipping materials!
• Technology to reduce waste: our C&C cutting machine’s auto-nesting feature saves material / time, & eliminates human error.
• We order our raw materials in bulk – reducing shipments & ensuring we have what you need on hand when you order.

OUTSIDE MOUNT

Benefits of an Outside (PES Standard) Mount:

• Simple and easy installation.
• Protects more of your porch from weather, dust, and pollen.
• Can increase the longevity of your porch or patio, and makes it a very low-maintenance space.  
• Any porch screens are also protected from the elements like wind, rain and from collecting dust.
• Panels will likely be completely out of view when rolled up (vs. inside mount where a roll will be visible at the top of your header).
• When the wind blows, your outside-mounted windward curtains will press against the frame of your porch, reducing tension and stress on the fabric and fasteners. 
• Simpler maintenance. 

INSIDE MOUNT

For porches and patios that are not at ground-level, it is often necessary to do an inside mount in order to operate your system from inside, as opposed to operating your system on the outside of your porch.

Video: rolling up an inside-mounted PES

Some porches and patios are constructed so that additional framing is available in the corners and our curtains have a flat surface to mount, making an inside mount simple. Other screen porches lack flat surfaces in the corners where curtains can mount on the inside. Customers may choose to add the lumber needed to make this happen. Or, the porch may require a track system that uses vertical zippers instead of our standard self-locking fasteners. During your Design Consult, our fabricators will help you make this decision. 

Track System:

Caring for an inside-mounted PES requires a bit more time. You can hose down through your screen from outside. To wipe down, you’ll need to detach it from vertical supports (either self-locking fasteners along left and right hand sides, or zippers) and wipe with a shammy cloth and some mild detergent.

For quick maintenance of an inside-mounted PES, two people can clean it together. Wet and wipe down the inside manually with a soft shammy / cloth. To clean the outside-facing section, have one person gradually roll the panel up while the other uses a shammy (soft cloth) to wipe down the back, section by section.

Yes, we can make a fixed panel that will attach to the door using our self-locking fasteners or snaps. We also cover vent panels (for above-the-door openings) and irregularly shaped openings with snap on panels. Since these are fixed panels they WILL NOT roll up you will have to remove and store the door panel when not in use. Door panels are often the first item to be removed in the Spring and the last to go back up in Fall.

If you’re building a new screened porch, a storm door from your local hardware or big box store is also a perfect and popular option for complimenting your Porch Enclosure System.

PES Above-the-Door Vent Panel

Vent panel openings are typically covered by all clear vinyl with a 2″ fabric border (shown above) or as solid fabric (below), without the clear vinyl.

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Yes, outdoor heaters and fireplaces are used by many of our clients to warm up their enclosed spaces in the winter. We also recommend putting your ceiling fan in reverse if possible to help circulate the air.  You may also wish to request a system using our marine grade zippers versus our standard fasteners for a more airtight fit. 

  Our manufacturing process and the materials we use in each PES meet or exceed the standards commonly found in sailmaking, offshore boat enclosures, and large free standing shade sails – our knowledge comes directly from decades in the sailmaking, marine and shade sail industry. PES is rigorously tested at wind speeds up to 70 MPH, yet since each of our panels is customized to your unique space there is not certified wind rating. Our team will work with you to determine the best design to meet your space’s and climate’s specific needs.  To learn more, check out how our curtains are used in extreme climates for wind protection. 

Lab Test Results of our Clear Vinyl Sheet Glass
Tested for extreme cold, pressure, abrasion & UV.

Yes, your system can be installed inside. However, since some screen porches lack flat surfaces, in the corners, for our curtains to mount it may require a track to track systems that uses a vertical zippers instead of our standard fastener.  Our team can help review your options. 

This center opening is enclosed with 3 panels, with a door panel in the middle. Simply roll up the door panel  and the side panels remain securely attached to the floor.

There is no minimum or maximum on heights and widths. We can build any size you would like, however, once curtains get wider than 10-12 feet they can become difficult to roll up or even secure in windy conditions.  It may require assistance to properly roll-up and secure oversized curtains. We often suggest splitting your larger opening into two smaller curtains that zip together and fasten to the floor in the middle.  This adds rigidity to your system and allows you to rollup each curtain independently. We can also offer guidance on adding temporary or permanent posts to your spaces framework.

Yes! Keeping our minimums in mind, you can specify the amount of fabric you would like at the bottom and top of your enclosure within Your Account when building your enclosure. No Account? Get started here. 

TOP FABRIC MINIMUM

For an 8-foot tall panel, we recommend a minimum of 12”  on top (includes 1.5″ PVC top track). This assures the clear vinyl is covered (encased & protected) with fabric while the curtain is rolled up.  Many customers choose to attach their curtain further up on their header, often just below the eave. This reduces the amount of fabric within their viewable space and assures the curtain is out of view when rolled up.  

*For shorter curtains (when your porch has a knee wall), you may opt for a less fabric on top and instead request a valance to protect your curtain when rolled up. A valance can reduce your top fabric and mounting track from 12″ to 7.5″.

BOTTOM FABRIC MINIMUM

We also require a 4” minimum on the bottom of your curtain to contain the curtain’s roll bar (see bottom of panel to left).

Our weighted roll bar adds rigidity to your curtains, renders floor attachments unnecessary and makes rolling your enclosure up and out of the way easy. The roll bar is made of galvanized steel, has PVC end caps and is cleanly stitched into the base of your curtains. Just above the roll bar each side is attached, with fasteners or zippers, assisting with securing your curtain in the downward position.

See the roll bar in action on an inside install here (*many of our enclosures utilized zippers, instead of fasteners as shown):

Our standard curtains fit snugly along the top, sides and base of your porch or patio. The top of our roll-up curtains slide into a top tracks creating a wind and waterproof seal. The sides of our curtains attach to your porch using commercial-grade waterproof zippers and weather flaps to keep out all the elements. The base of our curtains utilizes a weighted roll-bar adding both rigidity and calm to your overall system. 

To learn more, check out:

Wind-Block Enclosures

PES Weather Curtains

This center opening is enclosed with 3 panels, with a door panel in the middle. Simply roll up the door panel and the side panels remain securely attached to the floor.

Rather than enclosing an extra wide opening with a single roll-up panel,  we often split the opening with two curtains that zip together. Below the zipper, is a floor mount (pictured below) can be used to add rigidity to your system and allow the panels to zip up independently.  For example, if you have a 140” wide opening, we can split that into two  70” curtains that will zip together in the middle and attach to the floor securely to the floor with a quarter turn fastener. Other options include adding a seasonal post, so rather than using a zipper, the curtains attach along the vertical post for a nice secure fit. 

There are no minimum or maximum on heights and widths for your PES panels. We can build any size you would like, however, once curtains get wider than 10-12 feet they can become difficult to roll up or even secure in windy conditions. They may require assistance to properly roll-up and secure. If you plan to roll your curtains up and down more frequently we do suggest splitting your larger opening into two smaller curtains that zip together.

We make these as fixed panels with high quality clear vinyl and a 2” fabric border or as solid fabric. These panels don’t roll up and are taken down and stored away when not in use.  Our team will work with you to get the measurements we need to cover and attach to irregularly shaped openings.