There are a few posts on this forum and on the Crafts & Decorations forum about window/screen painting. In the "search" box above right - just type in "window/screen painting" and you should come up with several posts on the subject. A woman who sold them at a craft show last Fall told me she painted on both sides of the screen for better coverage. Sal

Hi E.R., We got some solar screening fro Giam Real Goods years ago and is probably similar to what they have at Lowes these days. Real heavy, tight webbing that you can sort of see out at a distance, but the closer you get to it, the harder to see out. I think you are on track with the film that is typically squeegied on. There is an outfit here that does it. When they first started, the mirrored finish was all they offered, but I noticed that now they have some that is basically no darker than todays windows that are coated with low-e. Appearently it's very effective in controlling heat gain, but you can still easily enjoy the views. The mirrored film darkened the view quite a bit so you might look into diy kits that have the newer film types. I watched the install on a remodel I was doing and it's pretty straight forward. I likened it to wall papering where they cut the sheets a tad big, moistened the panes, slid it on and squeegied the air bubbles out. After drying, they trimmed the overlap to the inside of the panes. I haven't had the opportunity to try it diy, but it seems like a simple process. Cool to replicate the screen frames with wood. Im sure you are familiar with the Kreg pocket hole system. It's reliable and is easier than making lap joints, mortise and tenons, or even dowel pins when making up the frames. If you dont have one you might consider it for your frame projects and comes in handy for future projects such as cabinet frames. When in N.W. Floria, (Gulf Breeze), We used copper screening for vents that were behind ornamental grates on a period home. The house also had copper flashing that I didn't get to see but Im sure patinad nicely. You might consider copper screening for your frames. Have a good one. Here is a link that might be useful: Kreg pocket hole

One major disadvantage of tinting is that it often will void the window manufacturers warranty. If you have older unwarrantied windows then thats not an issue. Tinting would be a good choice for sealed sashes and picture windows. Since it would cut the UV radiation entering the house and provide you with privacy. For the operating windows the solar screens keep the UV down and the bugs out. Solar screens can also be changed in the years down the road when you get tired of the look. Tinting is not so easy to remove.

Paint, screen, then touch up. They will probably get a little dinged up.