Window Screens and Storm Windows

Want screens and storm windows to last for years?
Mending a Frame
Repair or Replace Screening?
Three Ways to Patch Screens

Want screens and storm windows to last for years?

• Clean screening periodically with a stiff bristle brush.
• Apply thinned screen enamel, paint, or varnish to galvanized metal screening.
• Paint wood storm and screen frames when necessary to protect them from weathering.
• Clean aluminum frames with aluminum polish or steel wool and coat them with paste wax.

Mending a Frame

• If a frame begins to separate at the corners, you can mend and reinforce the corners with glue or with metal reinforcing angles, corrugated fasteners, wood screws, or glued-in wood dowels.
• Lay the screen or storm window on a flat surface and clean out the gap in the joint.
• If the frame is in good condition and the joint is clean, simply pour waterproof glue into the joint.
• Clamp it until the glue dries.
• If the frame is still loose, attach metal reinforcing angles or corrugated fasteners at the corners, or fasten with wood screws.
• To reinforce the corners with glue coated dowels, clamp together opposite frame rails, using a long bar clamp.
• Tap the dowel into a pre-drilled hole.

Repair or Replace Screening?

If the screening has a small hole or tear, patch it before the flaw gets any bigger. If the hole or tear is very large, or if the screening is old and worn, it's best to replace it.

Three Ways to Patch Screens

1. Repair a very small tear in metal or fiberglass screening with epoxy or acetone type glue. Layer the glue on until the tear is filled.
2. Repair a small hole by weaving or darning strands of scrap screening into the tear. Weave the strands into sound fabric to close the hole.
3. For a large tear, cut a patch larger than the tear. Unravel each side, bend the end wires, and push then through. Bend the ends back to hold the patch.