With summer finally here, many of us are opening our windows to enjoy the warmer temperatures. As a result, more of us are paying attention to our window screens. Over the winter your screens collect dirt and dust from winter rains and storms. Sunlight causes fading and breaks down the fiberglass screen mesh over time causing them to develop holes that allow insects to gain access to your home. Here are a few tips for maintaining your screens.
Annually, it’s a great idea to remove your screens and give them a thorough, although careful, washing. Simply hosing the dirt off will make a big difference but a mild soapy water solution gently applied will really clean them up. Don’t scrub too hard or you will poke holes in the screen or cause it to come out of the frame at the edge. Once cleaned, allow them to air dry before putting them back in the windows.
If your screens are torn or have come loose from the edge of the frame, replacing is often a DIY project but it does take a little know-how. Your home centers or local glass shops sell a variety of screen mesh for the project and you’ll need a special spline roller. Working through this project on your own can be time consuming so if you have more than 1 or 2 screens that need repairing, a local glass or screen shop may be your best bet since they are set up with tables and tools to do this efficiently.
If your screen frames themselves are bent or broken it is always more cost effective to replace them than repair. Bring in your old screen (even if it’s broken!) to make sure the new one will be an exact size and thickness and include any matching pulls or springs that allow you remove & re-install it.