We have had quite a few inquiries from you whether we could make a few do-it-yourself guides for the mosquito net and the fly net with magnets for the window. At Magnetpartner, we love DIY magnet projects for the home or the workplace - and we would love to help you avoid summer insects with a magnetic insect net.
We have tested 2 methods:
- Mosquito net with sewing, and
- Mosquito net without sewing
The best and most durable solution would be to sew in the mosquito net. Here, we will show you how you can easily make a flexible fly net on the window with magnetic tape, which makes it easy for you to open and close the window and to remove the mosquito net again according to need.
#1: Mosquito net with sewing
- Magnetic tape 19 mm. with self-adhesive
- Insect net or tulle (here bought in meter sizes from a store)
- Pins / needles
- Ruler or tape measure
- Cardboard
Step-by-step guide:
Start by measuring the height and length of your window, so you know how much fly netting you need. Add min. 19 mm. extra fabric in both length and width, so you can sew a wedge in the mosquito net or sew a nice finishing edge.
It would be best if you draw the window measurement on a piece of cardboard first, so that you avoid cutting the insect net incorrectly - it should preferably not be too tight on the window.
Then you cut the fabric according to your cardboard template. And then you choose one of the following methods:
1) Bend the edge in 2 times and sew a fine edge to the mesh so that it has a nice finish at the edges, or
2) Sew around the magnetic tape of the insect net so that it is stuck inside (if you are sewing around the magnetic tape, wait until the last step for this).
TIP: It is recommended that you sew the insect net on a sewing machine for the most durable result.
The self-adhesive magnetic tape must be placed along your window
Start by cleaning the window sill with basic cleaner, and wash over with a wrung out cloth. Let it dry completely. Then, clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol to remove surface tension before gluing.
Put up the self-adhesive magnetic tape along the frame of your window. The self-adhesive side is the side with removable foil (see the yellow in the photo), which you can easily remove from the surface of the tape. Cut 4 pieces that fit together at the corners for the entire perimeter of the window frame (maybe use a small piece of magnetic tape to align with if you don't have a ruler). The easiest way to do this is to take the entire roll and fasten the magnetic tape in the first corner, and then unfold the roll and cut it with good scissors when the length fits. Then, put the roll up against the cut piece and do the same on the next edge of the window sill... is repeated until you have gone all the way around.
You can watch the video at the bottom of the page - even though it is in Danish, it will be easy to understand.
Fix the 4 strips of magnetic tape along the frame by pressing it firmly by hand. You can easily correct the self-adhesive on the magnetic tape during the first hour, if you have not put it as precisely as you would like it the first time.
The magnetic tape must be on top of the magnetic tape
Now, place the other strips of magnetic tape on top of the magnetic tape which you have already attached to the window - with the self-adhesive side outwards. It is easy to see if the magnetic tape is facing the right way in terms of attraction. If it is crooked against the other pieces of magnetic tape, just turn the roll once (180 degrees). You will again get 4 pieces of magnetic tape on the frame, which you can cut off along the way. Now you can remove the strip that sits on top of the adhesive side and attach the insect net to it.
Again: Scroll down the page to watch the video. It is easier to show in a video.
Sew the magnetic tape and insect net together
Now, check if the insect net fits with the magnetic tape on the window in size. Press the net onto the magnetic tape, which has self-adhesive on the outside. If the plan is to sew around the magnetic tape so that it runs in a wedge at the edge of the insect net, you must now bend the net around the magnetic tape so that it is stuck on one side, and then you can easily sew around the tape afterwards, because it is stuck with adhesive exactly where it fits with the magnetic tape tracks on the window. If you have sewn a fine edge to the fly net, now you need to sew it to the magnetic tape - at least a small stitch in each corner. You just need a cowboy fabric needle or other heavy duty type of sewing machine needle that can go through the magnetic tape (it's made of a rubber compound).
Sorry for the long explanations - it's so much easier to show than to write in step-by-step guides...
And now, you are ready to attach your magnetic mosquito net between the two magnetic strips on the window sill.
The image below shows how to can easily correct the mosquito net if you have made a small cutting or sewing mistake.
Finished mosquito net for your window
You now have a magnetic mosquito net for the window and can easily open and close the window itself when needed by grabbing a corner of the mosquito net and pulling it off. It is difficult to see that there is a mosquito net on the frame of the window, as the picture shows. So it won't irritate the view or be a design nuisance.
Method 2: Mosquito net without sewing
Here you will need:
- Magnetic tape 19 mm. with self-adhesive
- Magnetic tape 20 mm., white
- Insect net or tulle (here bought in meter sizes from a store)
- Ruler or tape measure
Make your own mosquito net without sewing
Measure your window to get an idea of how much mosquito net you will need. To measure, we recommend that you use a piece of cardboard so that you get a mosquito net that fits the dimensions of the window.
Magnetic tape with self-adhesive should be on the windowsill
Same procedure as in method 1: the magnetic tape must be placed with self-adhesive against the frame of your window. It is very easy to fix if you do not set it correctly the first time. You cut again in each corner so that you have put four pieces of magnetic tape on the frame of your window.
The white magnetic tape must be on top of the net
After this, use the white magnetic tape on top of the gray one that you have attached to the frame. It is important that the white magnetic tape faces correctly. If the magnetic tape is a little crooked, just turn the roll once (180 degrees with the white side still facing outwards) and it will be attracted correctly. Then, just place the white on top of the gray magnetic tape and cut so you have 4 pieces again that match the strips already on the frame.
The insect net must be between the two magnetic strips
Now, you are ready to fasten the insect net between the two types of magnetic strips. Here it would be a good idea to start by removing one piece of white magnetic tape at a time, and then attach the mosquito net between the two magnetic tapes on one side of the window sill at a time. This makes the net easier to control.
And just like that, you have a magnetic mosquito net where you can still easily open and close your window when needed.
We promised you a video
We have made this video. It is in Danish but should still make the text above make more sense.
