Edinburgh residents know that midges (small biting flies) can be as annoying as mosquitoes, especially near the Water of Leith, Holyrood Park, or coastal areas. Standard insect screens with 16‑18 mesh holes per inch let midges pass through. You need ultra‑fine mesh (22‑24 holes per inch).

Tenement Flats (New Town, Stockbridge, Marchmont)

Traditional sandstone tenements have tall sash windows. Drilling into historic stone is often prohibited. The solution is adhesive velcro screens or retractable screens that mount on the interior lining using tension. For the iconic Edinburgh box beds, a custom‑sized adhesive screen fits directly onto the recess.

Many tenement flats have shared closes. A magnetic mosquito net on the common close door reduces insects entering the building.

Conservation Areas & Listed Buildings

Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town are UNESCO World Heritage sites. External alterations are strictly controlled. Internal screens are allowed. Choose white or grey powder‑coated frames that blend with window joinery. Adhesive screens are invisible from outside and require no planning permission.

Modern Flats (Leith, Fountainbridge, Haymarket)

New builds have sliding windows and balcony doors. Top‑hung pleated screens (no floor track) are popular – they slide silently on an overhead rail and have no bottom track to collect dust. For sliding windows, a retractable screen that pulls across the stationary side works well.

Midge Protection – Why Mesh Density Matters

Midges (culicoides) are only 1‑3mm long. A standard insect screen with 1.2mm openings will not stop them. You need mesh with 0.6‑0.8mm openings (22‑24 holes per inch). MBORMC offers this ultra‑fine mesh in both polyester and 304 stainless steel.

Where to Buy Custom Screens in Edinburgh

Off‑the‑shelf screens rarely fit tenement windows. MBORMC makes custom screens to your exact dimensions and ships directly to any EH postcode. Measure your window recess carefully (width and height in mm). We recommend adding 2‑3mm tolerance for a snug fit.

🦟 Midge‑proof your Edinburgh home
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