What can you do to protect an open deck during mosquito season? There are a number of factors to consider when creating an enclosed space for an open deck. Will the solution fit your deck dimensions? Will it change the natural lighting that enters the house? How much will it cost and will it last? We have an idea that just might surprise you.

Professionally built pergolas and awnings can be made to fit virtually any dimension, but often reduce natural sunlight into the home and can cost $1,500 up to $5,000. If you are feeling handy, you can certainly save, but beware of common mistakes. Cubicle structures will "rack" from side to side if not properly braced. So to keep your cube from becoming a dangerous parallelogram, be sure you have a sound design. In addition, use materials that will last. Painted pine will often rot. Better materials would be cedar, pressure treated wood, or a synthetic material like vinyl or aluminum.

Gazebo kits sold in home improvement stores are relatively inexpensive and some come with low grade mosquito netting kits. And while the sales clerk will tell you that replacement nets are available, ask the clerk to actually produce one as they are virtually impossible to buy. Further, unless your deck is 10' x 10' or 12' x 12', chances are that a gazebo kit will not fit the dimensions of your deck.

Ever thought of good old-fashioned 3/4" galvanized pipe with perhaps a touch of Martha Stewart? The advantage of 3/4" piping is that it assembles and disassembles easily using only a pipe wrench and screw driver. Pipe can be painted, doesn't require braces to prevent side-to-side racking, won't sag over 10' spans, and it costs very little to make. A painted pipe frame 21'L x 8' W x 10'H cost $143 in materials.

Any home improvement store carries galvanized pipe and the necessary connectors to create a frame for suspending mosquito netting panels. 3/4" galvanized pipe is available in 10' lengths; and, most stores will cut your pipe to any length and re-thread it for you at no charge.

Mosquito Curtains Inc. manufactures custom-made panels from jumbo rolls of mosquito netting that enable you to create a cathedral-like 10-13' tall enclosure well above the window line of most high-ceiling homes. With a ceiling panel made of netting instead of awning fabric, you have nothing blocking sunlight into your home. Better yet, Mosquito Curtains will make your netted deck enclosure, ready to hang!

A ceiling panel attaches to the pipe frame using a combination of adhesive-backed Velcro applied to the pipe and sew-on Velcro applied to the panel. Side panels attach to the ceiling panel using Velcro for a tight seal. Doorways seal using strong neodymium magnets. Ceiling and wall panels attach to the house using marine snaps. Click Here for more detailed instructions and photos.

$575 for this 21' x 8' curtain and $143 for the materials to create a custom pipe frame.

Materials (all 3/4" gauge)

five - 10' lengths straight pipe
two - 7.5' lengths straight pipe
three - T-connectors
two - 90-degree connectors threaded male/female
five - flanges
spray paint and primer