Elevated Screens & Outdoor Living, Reinvented

From Barrie to Muskoka, we're upgrading homes, protecting cottages, and turning everyday doors and windows into quiet little luxuries.
Explore expert tips, screen upgrades, and design ideas that make your home (and second home) feel just right.
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Pet Proof Sliding Door Screens: Genius or Just Another Thing for Your Dog to Destroy?

We all love our pets—until they barrel through the patio screen like they’re storming the beaches of Normandy. If you’re in Barrie and wondering whether “pet proof” sliding door screens are genius or just another chew toy with marketing hype—you’re not alone. The Pet vs. Screen War: A Familiar Tale Dogs, cats, even ambitious bunnies—they’re […]

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Patio Screen Mesh: Nylon, Fibreglass, or Pet-Resistant—What’s Best?

Imagine a sunny Muskoka morning: you’re sipping coffee on your screened porch (breezy, bug-free bliss) – until Mittens pounces and rips a hole like it’s nothing. Your screen is the bouncer between you and the wild outdoors, and picking the right mesh is crucial. Let’s break down the contenders nylon, fibreglass, and pet-resistant mesh – […]

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How Many Mosquitoes Does It Take to Make You Regret Cheap Screens at the Cottage?

Look, I get it. You finally bought that dreamy little cottage in Muskoka. The sunsets? Stunning. The lake? Crystal-clear. The bugs? Oh, they’re not just thriving—they’re plotting. You probably figured, “I’ll save a few bucks on screens,” because hey, how bad could it be? Answer: Really bad. Like, “I’m Googling screen upgrades from under a […]

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Do Security Bars Actually Make Your Windows Safer—Or Just Look Like Jail?

We’ve all seen them—those homes with window bars that scream “maximum security”… or maybe just “my neighbour binge-watched too much CSI.” So—do security bars actually make your windows safer… or just make your place look like a sketchy motel off Highway 11? Let’s get brutally honest—Barrie style. Why People Install Window Security Bars (Besides Fear […]

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Sliding Glass Door Broken? Why Fixing It Is Like Negotiating With a Grumpy Teenager

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of negotiating with a grumpy teenager—you know, the eye rolls, dramatic sighs, refusal to cooperate—then congratulations! You’re emotionally prepared to deal with a broken sliding glass door. Sliding doors have a knack for going full-teenager at the most inconvenient times. They stick, jam, squeak, refuse to close—and generally act […]

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Security Screens vs. Squirrels: Who’s Actually Winning in Simcoe County?

We need to talk about the real Simcoe County battle: Security Screens… vs. Squirrels. They look cute—fluffy tails, twitchy noses—but make no mistake: squirrels are basically tiny, hyper-caffeinated wrecking crews. If you’ve got screens—especially at the cottage—you’ve probably wondered: Squirrel Shenanigans: What’s the Big Deal? Simcoe squirrels are next-level: Translation: One squirrel = potential party […]

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Patio Door Screen Torn Again? The Barrie Survival Guide to BBQs, Bugs, and Bad Mesh

If this sounds familiar, it’s not just bad luck—it’s a combination of cheap mesh, high traffic, and Simcoe County’s legendary wildlife (a.k.a. mosquitoes the size of birds). BBQ Ruined? Not Yet—Here’s Your Survival Guide Step one: Don’t panic. Step two: Follow these tried-and-true Barrie survival hacks to salvage your BBQ—even with a torn screen. 1. […]

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The 5 Most Common Screen Repair Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them, Without Crying)

We love a good DIY project. You save money, flex your inner handy-person, and maybe even impress your neighbour—the one who’s always lurking, judging your landscaping. But screen repair? That one has a dark side. Plenty of Barrie residents dive into window or patio screen repairs thinking, “How hard can it be?” Fast forward 20 […]

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The Secret Social Life of Screens: Do They Get Jealous of Your AC?

Let’s be honest—if your window screens had feelings, they’d be extremely jealous of your air conditioner. I mean, think about it. Your AC unit gets all the love: Meanwhile, your screens? It’s a tale as old as summer—screens vs. AC—the rivalry no one talks about… until now. Screens: The Unsung Heroes of Summer They’re your […]

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How to Mosquito-Proof Your Cottage Before the Blackflies Find You

There’s nothing like arriving at your cottage—stepping onto the deck, breathing in that fresh Muskoka air… and immediately becoming a mosquito buffet. The mission: Mosquito-proof your cottage—before the blackflies even know you’ve arrived. Here’s your survival guide—because bug season waits for no one. Why Muskoka Bugs Are Built Different Simcoe County and Muskoka have… special […]

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