Window screens are an important home defense measure. These lightweight, barely visible mesh barriers keep bugs from entering your home through your windows. They allow that lovely spring breeze to flutter through while keeping those annoying bugs out. However, as with the rest of your home’s exterior, they need a thorough cleaning now and then.
Maintaining
Cleaning your screen at least once every year will help preserve them. When left to suffer the elements without a good annual cleaning, your screens will become brittle and weak more quickly. Thoroughly cleaning your screens takes a bit of finesse however. You will need to wash each screen separately. You can use a large tub to submerge them or a hose. A simple, easy to make cleaning solution of ¼ cup liquid all-purpose cleaner mixed with a ½ gallon of water should be used. Using a microfiber cloth or soft brush, gently scrub both sides of your screen. Once done, rinse the screen with clean water and set aside to dry.
If you were planning to clean the exterior side of your windows, now would be a great time to do it. Once the screens have dried and you reinstall them, access to the surface of your windows will become limited. You can use the same cleaning solution on your windows as well. Simply spray it on. Using a squeegee, clean the glass from top to bottom in a large “S” pattern. Wipe any excess water from the window frame before reinstalling your screens to ensure a beautifully thorough clean.
Replacing
If your screen has been damaged, the good news is that it’s a relatively inexpensive fix. First, understand that there are three main types of screen used today. Fiberglass is the most popular and easiest to work with. Aluminum screening is sturdier, but harder to work with and best left to an expert or experience Do-It-Yourself-er (DIY-er). For pet owners or those who want more shade, sun-shading fabric is also commonly used. Second, it is best to install new screening using a flat work surface. A sheet of plywood is ideal as you can screw small wooden blocks into it to help hold your frame in place.
To remove the old screen, you will need to pry out the spline with an awl. The spline is the rubber filler that runs in the seam between the screen frame and mesh. (Throw the old spline away. These tend to get brittle and hard with age.) Once the screen has been replaced, screw small, flat pieces of wood against the frame to hold it in place and prevent accidentally bending it. Position the new screen over the frame. If you are cutting your screen to fit, allow it to overlap the frame by 3/4 – to 1-inch. Cut the corners at a 45-degree angle, slightly overlapping the spline corner. (This prevents bunching in the corners!) Beginning at a corner, use a screen-rolling tool to install the new spline and pin your screen into place. Once the screen has been fully installed, cut away any excess mesh that sticks out from the spline seam.
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