Common Causes of Window Screen Damage

Moth sitting on the outside of a window screen

Are you a homeowner who loves fresh air but struggles with damaged window screens? Do you want to know what causes holes in window screens?

Understanding the main reasons for window screen damage makes it easier for you to prevent these problems in the future. You’ll have the proper knowledge to protect your screens and windows while getting all the beneficial sunlight and fresh air you want.

That’s why we’ve gathered the most common causes down below. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this issue and how to stop it from happening again!

 

Weather

Harsh storms are a typical culprit behind exterior window screen damage. The high-speed winds whip up debris and damage the screens. Branches, rocks, and dirt all weaken the integrity of your screen.

Hail and ice during winter are also at fault since they can dent the screen upon impact and tear holes into the material.

A single dent isn’t a concern, but as time goes on, those dents add up. Your screen will start to deteriorate as those dents turn into holes that grow larger with every storm that passes through.

Storm shutters are a great way to prolong the life of your window screens, especially if you live in a place that sees a lot of storms throughout the year.

 

UV Rays

We all know UV rays as the thing we need to worry about when we’re out in the sun for too long. However, it’s not only our skin that gets damaged by the sun’s rays.

A damaged window screen is often the result of extended time spent in direct sunlight. As your window screen continues to age, it’ll slowly get more damaged by the UV rays, causing it to warp and lose structural integrity. A small gust of wind could be enough to tear a hole into an old screen weakened by the sun.

If your screen is made of low-quality material, high enough heat from the sun may even melt parts of the mesh.

You’ll want to pay extra attention to the windows that face the sun for most hours of the day. They’ll need window screen repair more often than windows that stay in the shade. 

 

Extreme Cold

On the opposite end of the spectrum, winter nights can cause as much damage to your windows as strong UV rays. The drop in temperature ends up freezing the material of the screen, making it brittle and susceptible to breaking.

During sunny winter days, the screen may go from warm to cold in a matter of minutes. This constant temperature fluctuation wears down the material quickly.

This is why it’s always a good idea to think about replacing window screens once spring arrives!

 

Stretching

Does your screen fit well in its frame? Does it need to be stretched tight to fit the frame?

Stretching a window screen may seem like a good fix to an awkward fit, but it’s one of the easiest ways to create damage to the delicate mesh. You’ll end up needing to deal with window screen holes and other damage soon after installation.

Not all windows come in easy-to-find sizes, which is why custom window screens are an important investment if you have irregular windows. It may be a higher cost in the beginning, but you’ll save money in the long run since you won’t need to replace those screens every few months.

 

Damaged Frames

Sometimes the damage to your screens doesn’t start with the screens themselves. Instead, wear and tear starts from damage done to the frames holding the screens.

If you notice damage to your window, make sure to take a closer look at the frame of your window screen as well. A bent frame will pull a screen out of alignment, creating holes or weak points.

The screen may even pop out of the frame altogether.

Before you replace the screen, you’ll need to fix the frame first. Otherwise, the same problem will happen over and over again.

Contact Screenmobile!

 

Animals

It’s not likely that a wild animal will attempt to get through your window screen. It’s your indoor pets that you’ll need to worry about when it comes to screen damage.

Cats, for example, love sitting at windows to look at what’s going on in nature. Sometimes, they’ll lay at the window sill and push up against the screen. Dogs also tend to try and push their noses up against the screen when they get excited about something outside.

This wears down the screen and provides less protection from outside elements. It’s better to provide your pets with alternative ways to get their nature kick!

 

People

It’s not only your pets that cause accidental damage to a window screen. If you have curious young children, they may poke at the screen with their fingers from time to time.

It’s also possible that you’ll cause damage to the screen whenever it’s time to clean it. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to press too hard or pull the mesh loose when you’re trying to wash the grime away.

 

Insects

Did you know that insects cause a lot of window screen problems? Grasshoppers, for example, can chew through a window screen. This is something you’ll want to watch out for right before winter since they’ll try to escape the cold by getting into your home.

Wasps are another concern since these insects have the jaw strength to chew through wood. A window screen is no match for them. When they want to force their way through your screen, they’ll find a way.

If you live in an area that has heavy insect seasons, it’s important that you invest in more robust screens to keep these pests out of your home.

 

Prevent Window Screen Damage by Installing the Best Screens

Not all window screens are made equal, and that’s why many of them are susceptible to window screen damage. Your best course of action is to install screens of the highest quality.

This way, no insect or storm will ever tear up your beautiful screens and prevent you from opening the windows!

Tired of holes in your screens? Make sure to check out how our custom window screens can make all of your window problems disappear!

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