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Replacement Window Screens – the Basics
Window screens serve one major
purpose: to keep bugs and pests out of your home. Believe it or not, years
ago bug barriers were made from horse hair. Galvanized steel screening
became popular in later years – it did a great job of protecting windows,
but it was prone to rusting. Today aluminum and vinyl-coated fiberglass are
the two most common screen materials used, and the majority of replacement
window screens are made of these materials. Vinyl-coated fiberglass costs
approximately 50% less than aluminum, making it the material of choice for
most homeowners shopping for replacement window screens.
Aluminum screen fabric generally comes in three colors: black, dark grey,
and bright aluminum. Black is least noticeable from inside the house
(because the darker the color the better the outward visibility because
darker colors create less glare.) Dark gray is made to complement painted
window and frame systems. Although bright aluminum looks like raw aluminum,
it has a clear coating that helps maintain the material's sheen.
Vinyl-coated fiberglass, the most popular replacement screen fabric
material, doesn't corrode, rust, or stain but it will stretch and it will
tear more easily than aluminum. It’s available in silver grey, dark grey,
and aquamarine.
You can also buy “solar” or "sun" replacement screens made from vinyl-coated
fiberglass. Used for window and door screening and patio, porch, and pool
enclosures, this tightly-woven material can also save on energy costs. Solar
replacement screens create a shading effect that also blocks heat gain in
the summertime. Less light will pass through the window but you will save on
your air conditioning bills.
If you’re buying a replacement window screen because your pet shredded your
old one, check out “pet screen fabric” made from heavy-duty vinyl-coated
polyester. Replacement window screens made with “pet screen fabric” cost 20%
to 30% more than “normal” screens, but they’ll resist damage from your pets.
Most major window manufacturers make replacement window screens for the
window sizes they manufacture. (If you’re buying replacement windows make
sure you know whether the window you purchase comes with a screen – many
don’t.) Manufacturers like Andersen, Marvin, Pella, American Craftsman, and
others all make replacement window screens in a variety of colors. Prices
start at under $20 for a vinyl-coated fiberglass screen at home centers like
Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Home Quarters, so shop around for the best deal.
Replacement window screens are easy to install, but make sure the hardware
you need is supplied with the screen. In many cases you won’t even need to
install the hardware – you can use the hardware that’s already in place. If
the window didn’t have a screen, installing the hardware takes less than ten
minutes.
Many homeowners are now choosing retractable screens when they buy
replacement window screens. (Retractable screens can be fitted to doors as
well as windows, and many homeowners use them on sliding glass doors in
place of the old “sliding” screen.) They roll up out of the way when you
don’t need them, they improve your view out the window, and they stay
cleaner longer. They’re more expensive, but if you want to save time and
effort on screen cleaning – and improve your views – they might be worth the
investment.
The main difference in cost is due to the retractable nature of the window
screen. Unlike stationary replacement window screens, a retractable screen
must roll into a compartment and easily roll back out again – time after
time. Retractable window screens typically cost 3 to 4 times more than a
stationary window screen. If you’re not sure if a retractable window screen
is a good investment, install one or two and try them out before you invest
in retractable replacement window screens for every window in your home.
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