With warmer weather here, now is the prime time to begin thinking about preparing your home and windows. With warmer weather, many homeowners like to open their windows to allow fresh air into their homes, but not enable bugs and creepy crawlies to enter as they, please. An easy way to deter and prevent unwanted bugs from coming in, while still allowing for fresh air flow is by utilizing your window screens. But, window screens will only keep things out if they are in good condition, with no holes. So, what do you do when you realize your screens aren’t up to par and you are in desperate need of window screen replacement? Can window screens be repaired or do they have to be replaced?
When to Rescreen vs Replace
Some people are pleasantly surprised when they learn that repairing and rescreening is an option, instead of whole window screen replacement. While it is not always possible to rescreen or repair an existing screen, when it can be done it can be very beneficial, saving you money. The biggest difference between needing a new screen and simply repairing and rescreening an existing screen will usually come down to the condition of the existing frame. Is the frame broken or bent? Are the corners still intact? Even if the frame is bent or broken and the corners are no longer intact, some screens can still be repaired! When trying to determine when to repair or rescreen vs a replacement, there are a few considerations to help you decide the right course of action to take.
How Does it Look to Rescreen?
When considering any type of repair, one of the first questions that many people ask is how does it look? In instances where the frame is still in perfect condition, you won’t be able to tell that the material has been replaced. On the other hand, if the frame is damaged, or faded a new screen material will stand out and be noticeable. Before deciding which route to go with, take a look at your frame and see what condition it is in to determine whether a rescreen will be noticeable and stand out, or if it will blend in and look like the original.
Is a Rescreen More Cost Effective?
The simple, short answer is yes a rescreen is going to be more cost effective than a new screen. Of course, there are going to be several different factors that play into determining the cost savings between a rescreen and a new screen, but more often than not a rescreen is going to be cheaper. When in doubt, ask for a price comparison between the two to help you decide which will be cheaper for you and your unique situation.
When Should You Reuse Your Old Frame?
Unless your current frame is broken, rusted, or doesn’t fit there is no reason to not reuse your old frame. Using the current frame not only guarantees that the new screen will fit back into the window opening, but it will also save you money on the repairs. It doesn’t make sense to replace a perfectly good frame unless for some reason you don’t want to reuse it and would rather have a whole new screen made.
As you can see, you can usually repair your existing screen, instead of having to invest in a window screen replacement anytime you get a simple tear or hole in the material. If you are still not sure or want to compare your options, visit Gordon’s Glass today and learn what screen repair or replacement option will be best for you.
