I know a few people who do get Madrones to grow here, but I have never had much luck with getting a 5 gallon sized tree to actually survive and thrive. They are available from growers such as Suncrest Nursery out of Watsonville, Berkeley Hort Nursery could order them in. I'd suggest waiting to plant until late October or November, and maybe start with smaller one gallons. I would probably plant 2 to 3 times as many as you actually want, expecting some losses along the way. Getting them established during late fall/winter when you don't need to water is more of a sure thing than planting during the dry months, they can be very touchy about summer watering. Alternatively, had you considered the similar looking, but much less sensitive to diseases, Arbutus 'Marina'? I love using this tree, and it looks very similar to our native madrone. Other natives that you could use as very large shrubs/small trees to about 18 feet tall might include our native Toyon, Prunus illicifolia or Myrica californica. All would do well with dappled light under redwoods.

I loved the look too, and we installed a screen from lineaaqua; it swings in & out, so reaching to turn faucets on & off is not an issue. Overall, I am not very happy with the product I purchased - it was online & a cheaper option, but someone else on the forum said their glass detached from the frame after about a year (same product). Ours has just been installed, so time will tell if the other user just got a lemon or they are just not good. I would recommend spending a little more & get a quality one. Shower door suppliers in your city should carry them. I have heard of Bel Pre & Century Bathworks. We found ours leaked just a tad near the wall end, but I find that if I incline the door a bit towards the tub interior, rather than symmetrically in the middle of the tub ledge, that is not happening any longer Now your specific q's: 1. I find I only have to be a tad careful with it, not too much. there is some spray on the edge of the tub after the screen ends, but nothing of concern. 2. i haven;t noticed a significant difference in warmth, but it is not cold winter here yet so remains to be seen. 3. see my ramble above - make sure of quality 4. also above - no stepping in needed as long as door swings or at least panel swings & the fixed panel is not too big. I will say, even with all my reservations, I like the look of it. Looks much more roomy & we can see all the new tile that has been put in. good luck!

I make awnings and canopies for a living. We routinely make screen panels, too. Generally, they zip onto a canopy/awning and have a weight rod that is inserted through a casing stitched to the hemline of the screen. The weight rod won't work for you since you swag the screen to the sides when you aren't sitting out there. I suggest you purchase lengths of chain cut to the lengths required. Pull it through a casing and it will bundle up effectively enough to permit "swagging". You may want to add a few ties along the length that will allow you to secure it and prevent too much billowing in windier conditions.

We're planning to build a new home with a 12-ft deep screened room across the back (spanning kitchen and great room, which are open to each other), facing north. House will be in TX on an average, flat neighborhood lot (not overlooking acres of farm fields, LOL), but still hot and bright in the summer. Ceilings will be 10 ft. with a 1 ft overhang off the roof outside. Screened room has a screened west side and an east side for cross-ventilation and light. 4 large French doors with transoms above will span the wall to the screened room. The only other natural light into the kitchen/great room are 4 western facing windows over the kitchen counter. Would anyone be willing to share photos of their interior spaces that adjoin a screened room? Or share whether your spaces are bright or dark? I've searched and have found many beautiful screened room photos, but not many images of how the spaces look on the other side. Any other input or advice from screened room-owners who face north? Thanks!