Screen doors and windows are great for enjoying the breeze while keeping out bugs and debris. However, screens can be damaged by pets, kids, extreme weather, and age.
When your screen gets torn, DIY home screen repair can be tempting. After all, articles online promise that you can repair a window screen yourself in “just 10 minutes” with little hassle or expense. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way, which is why professional repair is often better than screen repair kits.
Keep reading to learn when you can do it yourself and when you shouldn’t DIY.
When You Can Do Home Screen Repair
Home screen repair can be possible for the handy homeowner who has the time, energy, and know-how to do a DIY properly. (You’ll also need the supplies.) This is as long as it’s just the mesh that’s damaged, not any part of the window frame or door itself.
Screen repair involves prying the old spline (the rubber that keeps the mesh in place) out of the frame, cutting the new mesh to fit, stretching the mesh across the frame, and inserting the new spline in place so that the mesh remains taut and smooth.
(We don’t recommend patching a torn window screen: it’s usually unsightly, and a patch job will never last as long as total mesh replacement.)
Why Pro Repair Is Better Than Screen Repair Kits
Having a pro repair your windows and doors is always going to result in a better outcome, simply because that’s their job! The professionals have been trained and have done the work longer. They know all the tips and tricks to get your repair looking as good as new.
Pro repair is also advisable when the damage to your screen door or window goes beyond the mesh itself. Is the frame warped? Was the original door or window installed incorrectly? These problems can push a repair out of DIY and into a pro’s territory. A pro will also let you know when it’s time to consider replacement instead of repair. (There’s no sense in repairing a torn window screen when the frame itself is too damaged to fix, for example.)
Rather than struggling through an online DIY, consider pro repair: it’s easier, more convenient, and is guaranteed to leave you happier with the results.
How to Keep Your Screens in Good Shape
When you’ve got your screens looking good, make sure to keep them that way! You can keep your window and door screens in good shape with a bit of care and elbow grease.
We recommend cleaning your screens at least once a season. Simply take them out of the window or door, then wash the dirt and grime away by wiping the screen with a mild detergent soap and rinsing. (Be sure to be gentle!) Make sure to clear the window or door tracks of dirt and debris: this will make opening and closing it easier. Also take the time to lubricate any hinges on doors and windows.
Call Us Today
Jack’s Glass is here to help with all your window and door needs.
If your windows are beyond a DIY repair, call Jack’s Glass. We’ve been helping homeowners repair and replace their windows and doors for decades. In fact, our local family-owned and operated business has been helping Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky homeowners for more than 75 years!
Call us today to learn what we can do for you!
