Aluminum mesh lasts longer and comes in tighter weaves, but it has drawbacks. It dents more easily than fiberglass and can corrode in coastal areas where salt air eats at the metal. In dry climates it works well, and the thinner strands mean you see more of your view. Homeowners sometimes choose 20x20 aluminum mesh specifically because tighter weave blocks smaller insects that standard screens let through.
Specialty screens solve problems specific to certain regions. Solar screen mesh blocks up to 90 percent of UV rays and reduces heat gain, which helps when air conditioning drives up utility bills. Pet resistant screen uses vinyl coated polyester that's seven times stronger than standard fiberglass, built to handle claws and jumping. No single mesh works best everywhere. Matching the material to your local conditions gets better results than just picking the cheapest option. A skilled technician can recommend the right mesh during screen installation and make sure it's tensioned properly for your climate.
Common Screen Damage and How It Happens
Pets cause the most obvious screen damage. Dogs and cats puncture and tear mesh when they jump at outdoor distractions or scratch at doors to be let out. Even small tears get worse as the fibers keep separating from the original puncture. Replacing standard screens with pet resistant mesh in the areas your animals use most prevents the same damage from happening again and saves money on repeated repairs.
Weather breaks screens down slowly. UV exposure weakens fiberglass over five to seven years until it turns brittle and tears easily. Hail punches holes or stretches the mesh out of shape. Strong winds pull screens loose from their frames, especially once the spline starts to harden and lose its grip. In humid climates, aluminum frames oxidize and pit, eventually cracking at corners or bending during normal handling.
Seasonal storage causes avoidable damage too. Stacking screens flat with weight on top warps frames and stretches mesh permanently. Leaving them in direct sunlight speeds up UV breakdown. Leaning screens against walls where they can fall leads to dents and tears. Fixing storage damage costs more than the few minutes it takes to hang screens on hooks or store them upright somewhere protected. When damage does happen, treating screen repair as a home improvement priority keeps small problems from becoming expensive replacements. Professional screen installation makes sure there’s a tight seal from the start, which eliminates gaps that DIY attempts may leave behind.
Seasonal Maintenance That Extends Screen Life
Spring cleaning should include every screen in your home before you open windows for the season. Remove screens from their frames and lay them flat on a clean surface like a tarp or driveway. Spray both sides with a garden hose to dislodge loose debris, then scrub gently with a soft brush and mild dish soap diluted in water. Rinse completely and let screens dry before reinstalling them since moisture trapped against window frames promotes mold growth.
Inspect each screen during cleaning for problems that need attention. Check the spline around the entire perimeter and press it back into the channel if sections have pulled loose. Look for small holes that insects could exploit and patch them with screen repair kits available at hardware stores. Examine frames for cracks, bent corners, or signs of corrosion. Small issues caught early during routine maintenance stay small. If left alone, they become bigger problems that require full replacement.
Fall preparation protects screens through winter months. Clean screens again before storing them to prevent debris from bonding to the mesh over months of contact. Label each screen with its corresponding window location using masking tape so reinstallation goes quickly in spring. Store screens vertically in a climate controlled space away from direct sunlight and separate them with cardboard or cloth to prevent scratching. A handyman in Mercerville can handle this for homeowners who lack storage space or prefer not to do it themselves, and professional handling helps make sure screens go back into service in good condition.
Make Your Screens Work for You
If your screens are in good condition, you can enjoy your home more during the warmer months. You can sleep with windows open, cut back on air conditioning, and let fresh air in without dealing with mosquitoes or sweeping out debris. This simple home improvement offers comfort you'll notice immediately and savings that add up over every cooling season. Contact Mr. Handyman to schedule screen repairs, replacements, or new installations.
