Apartment and condo living in the Lower Mainland has a lot going for it — but it comes with one common frustration: the windows and doors often came with stock, builder-grade screens that don't fit well, let bugs in, or simply don't exist.
Whether you're in a high-rise in Vancouver, a condo in Burnaby, or a townhouse in Coquitlam, the right custom screens can make your home far more comfortable without changing the building.
The Condo & Apartment Screen Problem
Stock screens are built for an average opening — and almost no opening is average. Common issues include:
- Gaps around the frame that let mosquitoes and flies in
- Loose or ill-fitting screens that rattle in the wind
- No screen at all on operable windows or balcony doors
- Sliding door screens that stick, jump the track, or are torn
- Restrictions on permanent modifications in strata buildings
The good news: a custom-built screen that fits your exact opening solves most of these without major work.
Custom Screens That Fit Strata Living
Because strata buildings limit permanent changes, the best screen options are ones that fit into existing tracks, frames, or openings without structural modification:
- Custom window screens built to the millimetre of your opening — no gaps, no rattling
- Sliding screen doors sized to your existing patio track
- Retractable screens that mount into the door frame and disappear when not in use
- Re-screening of existing door frames with durable mesh — no new frame needed
A precisely measured screen means a tight seal against bugs and a clean look that won't upset a strata council.
Balcony and Patio Doors in Apartments
The sliding door to your balcony is usually the biggest opening — and the biggest source of bugs. Two solid options:
- A custom sliding screen door that runs smoothly on your existing track, ideal for daily use.
- A retractable screen that rolls away when you want the balcony doorway fully open — perfect for entertaining or moving furniture through.
If your existing sliding screen is just torn but the frame is fine, re-screening it with durable (even metal) mesh is the most economical fix.
Windows: Ventilation Without the Bugs
Many condos have great windows but poor (or missing) screens. Custom screens let you:
- Leave windows open for fresh air in spring and summer
- Keep mosquitoes, flies, and wasps out of upper-floor units
- Choose finer mesh near water or greenery for smaller insects
- Upgrade to metal mesh if you have a pet in the unit
Because condo windows come in many non-standard sizes (especially floor-to-ceiling and casement styles), a custom-built screen is usually the only way to get a proper fit.
Measuring in an Apartment or Condo
You have two paths:
- DIY measurements — you upload precise width and height of each opening, and we build custom screens you install yourself. Ideal for renters or simple windows.
- Professional measurement — we come to your unit and measure every opening precisely, then build and install. Best for sliding doors, retractables, and hard-to-fit windows.
Either way, tell us the building type so we account for strata constraints.
Serving the Lower Mainland
Bloom Bug Screens custom-builds and installs screens for apartments and condos across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Vancouver, Richmond, Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and beyond.
Ready for fresh air in your unit? Get a quote or book a measurement.