Window Screen Maintenance Tips

There are two key ingredients to long-lasting window and door screens. The first is buying and installing high-quality, durable screens. And second is proper screen maintenance.

Of course, the first step simply requires finding a reputable window screen retailer. The second—correct screen maintenance—is a bit more complicated. As long as you know what you’re doing, though, then extending the life and beauty of your screens shouldn’t be a problem at all.

With that said, here’s how to take care of your window and door screens for years and years to come.

Keep Your Screens Clean.

Regularly cleaned screens equal long-lasting screens. That’s because dust, muck, and grime can wear down your screens over time if not taken care of.  

Follow these steps to keep your screens clean:

• Clean any debris or water blocking the tracks of your door screens. Cleaning by hand or with a vacuum are both options.
• Always keep your motorized screens in their housing case when they are not in use. The housing unit protects the screen from daily wear and tear.
• Wipe down the screen frame when necessary.
• Wash the mesh screen with soapy water and a soft brush or damp cloth by hand. Never use chemicals, a water hose, or pressure water to wash door or window screens.
• Finally, allow the mesh to dry after cleaning before rolling it up.

Other Screen Maintenance Tips.

Motorized, retractable, and sliding screens present a few unique maintenance challenges in addition to cleaning. 

• Screens should be kept in protective housing during inclement weather or strong winds. Powerful storms are one of the main reasons many screens have short lifespans.
• After cleaning your screen tracks, spray lubricant on a rag and wipe down the track. This ensures smooth opening and closing and eliminates any wear and tear due to grinding.
• Make sure your screen isn’t exposed to any strong forces or collisions. These days, most quality screens can provide security and protection to things like golf balls and pets, but that doesn’t mean they are invincible.  
• Make sure that the screen retracts into the housing without any creases, wrinkles, or folds. 
• If your motorized screen isn’t working, ensure that it is still getting power and that the remote has fresh batteries.

Winterize Your Screens For The Cold Weather Months

Since you probably won’t have any use for your screens during the frigid winter months, winterizing your window and door screens is a smart choice. The first thing you need to do is remove your screens and clean them following the steps we outlined above.

After that, simply store them in a safe and dry spot until you’re ready to use them again when spring rolls around. Just make sure they are stored upright or lying completely flat, as storing screens in awkward positions long enough can warp the screen frame. Also, make sure they aren’t left in a location where they could be ripped, scraped, or gouged.  

Even better, cover your screens in the winter with a tarp or an old sheet as an added layer of protection. Or you could just add winterization panels to your porch, patio, or sunroom.

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Know When To Replace Your Screens

With proper maintenance, you can ensure your screens will live a happy and long life, but even the best cared for window screens eventually need to be replaced. Signs your screen needs replaced or repaired include:

• Cracks in the frame
• Corrosion or rust
• Tears, dents, or holes
• Fading and discoloration
• Difficulty when opening or closing
• Signs of obvious damage
• Increase in energy costs

Need Help Replacing Or Repairing A Screen?

If your window screens aren’t functioning properly or aren’t as beautiful as they once were, our team of window screen experts can help. So get in touch with us now, and let’s see how we can help you have long-lasting, beautiful screens for years to come.