Top Signs You Need To Replace Old Window Screens

You want to install your screens, walk away, and never need to think of them again like everyone else and every other home improvement upgrade. Screens are essential and valuable but quickly forgotten. 

So much so that they deteriorate before your eyes. Before you know it, you’re wondering how this gaping hole formed. Bugs are flying in like your home is their personal playground, dust is swirling about your clean rooms, and the dog keeps making it worse with his curious muzzle. 

We’ve repaired many a damaged window screen, meeting many a bewildered homeowner confused about how their screens fell into such a dismal condition. 

You don’t want that to happen. Old window screens look shabby and diminish your curbside appeal, including losing their primary function. 

Keep reading to learn about our top signs, the causes, and how to remedy this problem. 

Top Signs You Need To Replace Old Window Screens

There are a few factors to take into consideration when deliberating whether to replace your old window screens or not. Age is one of those. If you have no added factors, change your screens every 8 to 10 years.

Damaged window screens lose their power to protect you. Solar screens can no longer block harmful UV rays, and your cat can expertly escape through a hole in her catio. 

Here are the common signs that your window screens need replacing:

Old Window Screens

Just like a good wine, window screens age, but unlike wine, they don’t improve. Window screens can live a good life of up to 10 years. But that is 10 years of blocking the sun, debris, and bugs trying to make their way into your home.  If you can’t find your receipt, then inspect your screens. 

Faded fabric/material

If your mesh is faded, then it’s old. The constant exposure to the elements tires the fabric. If you had installed your screens recently and are concerned about the quick fading, then either you paid for cheap material, or this particular window receives the most sun, and you need a better window screen material.

Ripped, torn screen

You can try to sew up a ripped or torn screen or place duct tape along the laceration, but the screen will not be functioning at 100%. It can also look quite ugly.

How did your screen rip? Do you have pets up at that level scratching to get out? Did something get caught on your screen without realizing it? 

Holes 

Holes can appear with old age, fading, tearing, debris flying at your windows, birds crashing into them, smoke, fire, and forgotten rips. The thing with holes is, once they’re there, they only get bigger.

Placing a patch on a hole in your window screen is only a temporary solution. You don’t want it becoming more significant to the point your screens don’t work anymore!

Loss of structural integrity

Areas prone to earthquakes and tremors often need to replace window screens frequently. The violent shifting of the plates can pop your screens out of their frames, losing their structural integrity. 

If you don’t replace it, it will fall out entirely, leaving you screenless and unprotected. 

Warping

Extreme weather conditions (an increasingly more common occurrence) can bend and twist your screens. You might be able to pop them back in again, but it’s not permanent, and fidgeting with a warped screen can cause further damage to your window frame. 

Melting

It should be no surprise that window screens sitting in extreme heat day in and day out start to melt. Solar screens are more resistant, but if you notice your screen melting, it’s time to replace it! 

Brittle

On the other hand, freezing weather can make your screen brittle, speeding up its lifespan. It doesn’t mean your screen is bad quality, just that you’ll need to replace it more often. 

How to find replacement window screens

Screens aren’t difficult to source. You can find them in any local home improvement store. However, their dimensions are generic, and you might not find a size that fits comfortably in your window frame. 

Stretching your screen to cover your window will weaken the fabric, making it more liable to rip and tear. 

Fortunately, at Screenmobile, we build your screens to fit your windows. You contact us with your need, and we come out, measure your window, and prepare and install your screens right there on the back of our van. Replacing your old window screens has never been easier.

To recap

Go around your house to check all your screens yearly, just before winter kicks in. 

Check for

• Fraying
• Tearing
• Warping
• Loosening
• Weakening

If you’re not confident that your screens will make it through, call a Screenmobile technician – you’ll have your window screens replaced in a matter of weeks.