Window Screen Replacements Are Easier Than You Think

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Recently purchased a new home and noticed that the window screens are a little worn looking? Furthermore, were you surprised to find that perhaps the window screens were aluminum? Aluminum is one of the world’s most popular metals, widely recognized for a huge variety of benefits, especially as wire mesh. So it is not a surprise that you can still find homes, modern or not, using aluminum screening for windows, doors, and even porches.

Don’t be discouraged if faced with having to deal with aluminum Window Screen Replacements. It can seem daunting at first if you’ve never had to replace a screen yourself. Window screen replacements are easier than you think, especially in today’s window screen industry as innovations have been made by offering full custom aluminum window screens from frame to crossbars, hardware types, and more included.

You can save a significant amount of extra cost by choosing to do window screen replacements yourself, as you won’t need to hire a professional nor worry about hourly wages. Plus, in most cases, the custom aluminum window screens are less pricey than the supplies a contractor may need. Let us help you replace any of your damaged or aged window screens easier by showing you how to do it.

Where to Start

First, you will need these basic supplies:

• Measuring tape
• The old window screen frame, for measuring
• Choosing a screen color, you like: charcoal, black or silver
• Choosing a screen frame that matches your house, such as white, bronze, silver, tan, or champagne so that the frame fits seamlessly with your outdoor décor
• Type of hardware

Types of Window Screen Hardware

Window screen hardware is a shorthand way of saying what attachments you’d like to use on the screen for it to hold itself to the window. Let’s take a look at and explain the most popular window screen hardware available to help you choose.

• Tension Springs extend out from the window screen and creates tension by pushing the screen to hold it into a window track. Tension springs are the most common types of screen hardware. Tension springs are most usually paired with lift tabs so the screen can be easily removed.
• Leaf springs create tension as well, however, they’re heavier duty than a tension spring. An allowance does need to be made for leaf springs because even when completely compressed, so add 1/16^th” to your original screen measurement.
• Rams Horn Clips are most often placed at the top of the window screen. These clips firmly snap onto a lip on the window frame to hold the screen.
• Spring plungers are sometimes referred to as plunger bolts. The metal tap of a spring plunger extends into a grove and holds in the window frame to hold the screen in place.
• Slide latches have a flat metal flange that slides out into a groove or slot in the window frame to hold the screen in place. The U-shaped handle of this latch provides an easy grip for extending or retracting the slide latch.
• Acorn turn latches are plastic latches that fit on the inside of the window screen face (opposite of the spline side). One side has a tab for easy turning, the other side has a slight point that fits into a slot or behind a lip to hold the window screen in place.

How to Measure Your Window Frame or Old Window Screen

Now that you’ve chosen your window screen replacements screen color, frame color, hardware before you run off excitedly to order a new custom aluminum window screen, you’ll need to know what size your screens need to be. The easiest way to do this is to measure your old window screen frames.

1. Measure the shortest side of your old screen frame.
2. Measure the longest side of your old screen frame.
3. Measure the thickness of the screen frame.

However, if you don’t have the window screen frame or it is too damaged, never fear.

1. Find the lip of your window, which is what will hold your window screen in place. Put the end of the tape measure behind the lip, then measure vertically up to the window screen channel. Note the measurement and add 1/8^th of an inch.
2. Measure the horizontal screen channel, note the measurement, and subtract 1/8^th of an inch.

Make sure to measure a second time just in case, so that you can order the exact fit for window screen replacements. This will save you the headache and cost of accidentally ordering the wrong size.

Order Your New Custom Aluminum Window Screens

Once you’ve got your exact measurements, all you need to do now is make sure you have those measurements on hand and order your window screen replacements from your favorite, reputable screen shop. Then, wait for it to arrive and snap it into place. That’s it!

Window screen replacements are truly easier than you think, cost-effective, and a smart way to save time and effort without needing to be an expert.