Mosquito Nets and Screens in Abu Dhabi

The thing that sets the capital's insect background is water. Abu Dhabi sits on islands, channels and mangroves run between the districts, and mangroves live their own life all year round. A flat with a water view almost always means that in the evening small insects come to the light, and a coarse aperture will not hold them. Hence the frequent choice of a dense fabric over the cheapest one. After that the differences follow the type of housing. The centre of the island is built up with towers along the Corniche and in Al Khalidiyah, with many rented apartments in earlier generations of aluminium glazing: narrow sliding sashes, a different profile in every building, and a screen made strictly to what the survey finds. Al Reem Island and Al Maryah are new high-rise with continuous glazing and an exit to a loggia. Saadiyat, Yas and Al Raha Beach live to a different rhythm: low rise, townhouses, apartments with a terrace by the water, wide sliding doors. Khalifa City, MBZ City and the suburban communities are villas with an internal courtyard, a kitchen door to the yard and windows that stay open through most of the winter. The Western Region is different again: Madinat Zayed, Ruwais and Liwa stand in the desert, where sand and heat come before insects and the fabric is chosen against dust. Age of glazing is its own line item. In the older quarters of the capital, windows have survived more than one refurbishment, the frame is sometimes trimmed or painted over, and then the fixing is chosen on site rather than from a catalogue. One emirate, four different problems, and one screen will not solve them all.

We come from Dubai, so visits to Abu Dhabi are planned ahead and we try to place neighbouring addresses on the same day. Saadiyat, Yas and the gated parts of Khalifa City need a pass from the resident: warn security that a surveyor is expected, or the car will be turned away at the gate. Corniche towers have their own rules on working hours and the service lift; check them with the concierge in advance so the fitting does not slip to another day. Parking in the centre of the island is paid and full in the evening, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing a slot. The Western Region and Liwa need the date agreed separately; we do not travel there spontaneously.