Pollen protection grille for allergy sufferers: How to improve the indoor air

pollen allergy
Protective grille against pollen: How to improve the air quality in your home

The nose runs, the throat scratches, the eyes itch: allergy sufferers don’t have it easy these days. When birch and lime, hazelnut and alder awaken in spring, the pollen season begins. In order to improve the air quality in your own four walls, it can make sense to purchase special protective grilles for windows.

In Germany alone, millions of people suffer from a pollen allergy, associated with mild to severe symptoms, which usually occur seasonally – in some cases even all year round. While you are completely at the mercy of the tiny particles outdoors, it is certainly possible to block out a large part of the pollen at home: for example with a protective grille for windows. Read below to find out exactly how pollen protection grilles work and what advantages and disadvantages the models have.

Comparison: pollen protection screen vs. fly screen

In principle, both variants can be used to make it more difficult for insects to gain access to your own four walls. But what exactly is the difference? In fact, pollen screens have much finer meshes than fly screens, which are said to ensure that 80 percent less pollen enters the home. And thus the symptoms of allergy sufferers are significantly reduced – although not 100 percent. Depending on the provider, different materials are used for production: such as polyester, fleece‎Aluminum and fiberglass fabric.

The advantages and disadvantages of pollen screens

Pollen screens are designed to improve indoor air quality, but they also have their disadvantages. In the following table you will find the most important key points.

Tip: Read the following purchasing criteria before you buy a pollen screen.

Buying a pollen screen: Important criteria

1. The material
As mentioned at the beginning, different materials are used to make pollen protection screens. They differ not only in price, but also in transparency and air permeability. While polyester allows a lot of light to pass through, it has a shorter lifespan than, for example, aluminum.

2. The size
There are pollen protection grilles that can be cut individually, but also prefabricated models with a frame. Custom-made products are also possible, but cost more. For this reason, you should measure your windows in advance to find the right pollen screen for your home.

3. The attachment
Depending on the manufacturer, the pollen screens can be easily attached to the windows using Velcro, adhesive tape or magnetic strips. If you choose a model that requires drilling into window frames, you should first ask your landlord for permission if you live in a rented apartment.

4. The tear resistance
Regardless of the material, all pollen protection grilles are actually relatively robust. However, if you have pets with claws, you should choose a particularly sturdy model that is scratch- and tear-resistant. Here are aluminum mesh or Fiberglass fabric more suitable than polyester and fleece.

5. The transparency
When buying a pollen screen, pay attention to the light transmission. Otherwise, your rooms may be significantly darker after installation than before – which can certainly be an advantage in summer, but is not to everyone’s taste.

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