The cost effective synthetic reed screening - Buy online on Fenceshop.eu

The Affordable Synthetic Reed Screen

Hello everyone, I’m Marco from Fenceshop, and today we’re going to talk about an interesting alternative to the usual natural reed screens: the synthetic reed screen. Specifically, we’ll focus on the Colorado model from Athenax. This product represents Athenax's entry-level, so it’s relatively affordable and resembles bamboo thanks to its shape. The reeds are very small, with a width of about 7 mm and an 85% coverage.

Features of the Colorado Reed Screen

One of the distinctive features of the Colorado reed screen is that it presents the entire reed, meaning the same shape on both sides. This is not common to all reed screens, as we will see in other videos. The product is available in rolls of 5 linear meters. The heights vary based on the color: for the natural, gray, and brown colors, the available heights are 1 meter, 1.50 meters, and 2 meters, while for the green and white colors, only heights of 1 meter and 1.50 meters are available.

Uses and Advantages

The Colorado synthetic reed screen is ideal for residential uses. We at Fenceshop have installed it many times in these areas. Why choose such a product? Aside from the aesthetic aspect that might appeal or not, it’s important to know that it imitates natural reed screens but with some significant advantages: it doesn’t rot, it’s UV-protected, and if installed correctly, it lasts over time.

Installation

Installing the Colorado reed screen may seem simple, but it actually requires some care. We at Fenceshop rate the installation difficulty between 3.5 and 4 on a scale of 1 to 5. The reed screen is delicate and can easily bend or tear if handled carelessly. It is essential to install it on existing structures like fences, railings, or structures with wires, as it is not self-supporting and the wind could easily knock it over.

Fixing Methods

There are several options for fixing the reed screen:

Plastic fix-ties with washer: These washers, available in beige and green, distribute the force across multiple reeds, preventing them from ripping.
Traditional fix-ties: Don’t tighten them too much, but use more to better distribute the weight.
Binding wire: In this case also, be careful not to tighten too much to avoid marking the reeds.

Cutting and Finishing

To cut the reed screen, you can use scissors or a cutter. We recommend cutting it slightly larger to create a hem, thus creating a more robust edge. This helps prevent the reeds from fraying and falling apart. If this happens, you can tie knots in the horizontal wires or use a lighter to heat and stop them.

Final Tips

The Colorado reed screen is held together by glued horizontal wires. These wires can fray, so it’s always better to have a few extra meters of product. In case of fraying, you can tie knots in the wires or use a lighter to stop them. Additionally, creating a hem is always a good practice to ensure greater robustness.

This is the first in a series of videos dedicated to synthetic reed screens. They have pros and cons, but if installed correctly, they can last over time and look good. Leave us a comment, subscribe to our channel, and visit our websites. Goodbye everyone!