Central Coast Magazines Home & Lifestyle Spring 2026

Screened Outdoor Spaces: Enjoying Every Season Without the Pests

Freedom Infinity Retractable Screens The NEW INFINITY range of screens are designed especially for the larger openings, with stronger mesh and a mesh to track retention system that prevents mesh blow out in windy areas. Screening up to 4.5m in a single screen and 9m in a double screen. Easy to operate patented Braking system, as with all Freedom Retractable Screens, allows the screen to stop in any position along the track, providing versatility of use, preventing the screen from springing back into the housing. High quality fibreglass mesh. Heavy duty construction, built to last. Full Dulux Powder Coat colour range and Clear Anodized, to match Timber and Aluminium. INFINITY SCREENS also available in Pull Down style for Servery windows & Alfresco areas. All screens are custom made to suit individual requirements and installed by our experienced Installers. Motorised Outlook Screen also available, ideal for large outdoor areas, spanning 4.7m in width with a 3m drop. Always improving our innovative design, Australian owned, designed & manufactured. Backed by a limited five year warranty. A s the weather shifts and outdoor living becomes more inviting, nothing spoils a peaceful morning coffee or an alfresco dinner faster than flies, mozzies and sandflies. Screening an outdoor area is one of the simplest ways to reclaim comfort, creating a space that feels open to the breeze yet protected from the insects that arrive with warmer days. Modern screening solutions are far more refined than the old flywire enclosures of decades past. Today’s systems blend seamlessly into decks, patios and veranda’s, offering a light, airy barrier that keeps pests out without blocking views or airflow. Fine mesh screens remain the most reliable option, forming a physical shield against insects while still allowing natural ventilation. For homes near water or bushland, choosing a mesh with a tighter weave can help reduce sandflies and tiny seasonal pests. Retractable screens are increasingly popular for flexible outdoor living. They glide into place when needed — perfect for summer evenings when mozzies are most active — and disappear into slim housings when the weather cools. This versatility makes them ideal for alfresco dining zones, outdoor lounges and covered decks where you want protection without feeling enclosed. Supporting Your Ageing Dog D ogs generally enter their senior years between seven and twelve, depending on their size, with larger breeds ageing faster than smaller ones. As they move into this stage, their nutritional needs, comfort levels, and health risks begin to shift, and small adjustments can help them stay comfortable and confident.

For larger outdoor rooms, screened pergolas and fully enclosed patios create a true indoor outdoor hybrid. These spaces allow you to enjoy fresh air, natural light and garden views while keeping insects firmly outside. Paired with ceiling fans or gentle cross breezes, they stay comfortable even on humid days. Thoughtful screening doesn’t just improve comfort; it extends the usability of your outdoor areas across more months of the year. With the right materials and placement, you can enjoy long lunches, quiet reading nooks and evening gatherings without the constant interruption of buzzing, biting visitors — making every season feel more welcoming at home. interaction, and increased anxiety. Because conditions like thyroid disease, high blood pressure, dental pain, and arthritis can mimic these behaviours, veterinary assessment is important to rule out treatable causes. Hearing and vision loss are also common. Agerelated hearing loss is irreversible, but dogs adapt well when their environment is predictable. Some causes of vision loss, such as cataracts and glaucoma, can be treated if caught early, making regular checks worthwhile.

NEW FREEDOM ™ INFINITY ZIPLINE ™ SPANS UP TO 7.2 METERS to twelve, increasing to 68% by fifteen to sixteen. Symptoms include disorientation, sleep changes, housesoiling, reduced

Designed for french, bi-fold, sliding stacker doors and windows, as well as pillarless corners and large difficult to screen openings. Our custom-made fly screens are an elegant yet discreet way of taking control of your living environment and protecting your loved ones from pesky insects. Freedom Retractable Screens® – innovative insect screens for modern Australian living!

The Feedom ™ Infinity Zipline ™ screen spans up to meters in a single screen and up to 7.2 meters in a double screen and adopts a unique mesh-to-trac retention system which prevents the mesh saggin and stops mesh blowouts – perfect for larger ope The easy to operate patented Freedom ™ Brake Sy enables the screen to stop safely in any position the track. The sleek retrofit housing neatly attaches to your existing opening and is available in a variety of fin including powder-coated and anodised aluminium coloured end caps and brake levers. • Available in a pull down style for servery wind and a remote controlled motorised roll-down • Engineered to last the harsh Australian climat • Backed by a limited five-year warranty with a nationwide distribution network with parts an service backup. • Made with quality Australian aluminium and premium UV resistant fibreglass mesh. 1300 S 7 C 2 R 7 E 3 E 3 N 6 www.freedomscreens.com.au Visit our website to see our full product rang

Insect Screens for Your: Retractable Insect Screens custom built to suit any unique setting. Innovative design makes the retractable screens ideal for a variety of applications including screening Bifold Doors, French Doors, Stacking Doors, Servery Windows and difficult to screen openings. Outdoor living rooms are a central part of the modern Australian home and with over ten years experience in insect screen manufacture and installation, Daniel and his team will ensure you can enjoy the great outdoors free of insects.

Bi-fold Doors Servery Windows Alfresco Areas French Doors Stacking Doors • Screen up to 4.5m in a single screen • Screen up to 9m in a double screen Senior dogs benefit from diets with highquality protein, controlled calories, and added omega3 fatty acids to support joints, brain health, and muscle maintenance. Their metabolism slows and muscle mass naturally decreases, and many become more selective with food as they age. Wet food is often easier for older dogs to eat and digest, helps tempt fussy appetites, and increases hydration, which is especially helpful for kidney and urinary health.

1300 S 7 C 2 R 7 E 3 E 3 N 6 Please contact the Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle team on 1300 SCREEN email: sydney@freedomscreens.com.au Hydration becomes increasingly important as dogs age, especially when appetite or water intake begins to drop. A simple way to support hydration and natural electrolytes is by boiling chicken breast in water to create a light broth. As the chicken cooks, minerals and amino acids infuse into the water, making it tasty, gentle, and easy for older dogs to digest. This warm broth can be especially helpful for dogs with little or no appetite, encouraging fluid intake when they won’t eat much else. Once cooked, remove the chicken and let the broth cool. Skimming off any fat that rises to the surface keeps it light, gentle on sensitive stomachs, and ideal for senior dogs who need hydration without heaviness.

Visit our website to see our full product range! www.freedomscreens.com.au Imagine a home where you have the freedom to let the fresh air in and keep the bugs out! Freedom Retractable Screens ® – Innovative insect screen solutions for modern Australian living. Joint issues are extremely common, with around twothirds of dogs over seven showing signs of degenerative joint disease. Early signs include stiffness, slower rising, reluctance with stairs, and subtle changes in posture. Supportive diets, gentle exercise, and home modifications such as orthopaedic bedding and ramps can make a meaningful difference to daily comfort.

Cognitive decline affects many senior dogs, with around 28% showing signs by age eleven