60
Screens
Your exterior windows and doors have
high-quality screens which are woven mesh
stretched across a frame. They fit inside the
frame of your doors and windows and allow
air from the outside to come in while keeping
bugs out.
Care and maintenance
The following are tips for maintaining your
home’s screens.
General maintenance
Gently wash the screen frames and hose the
screens once a year. This will keep the screens
clean of dirt which could get onto your home’s
siding.
Clean dirt that builds up on the sills. To do so,
remove the screens from time to time. If dirt
builds up on the sills, it could trap water and
lead to water damage.
HOME TIP: There’s no need to remove
screens in the winter.
HOME TIP: Hardware stores sell
replacement screen fabric.
Replacing screen mesh
1. Use a screwdriver to pry out the splines
that hold in place the old screen fabric. The
screwdriver head should be slightly smaller
than the splines.
2. Measure the outside of the frame and cut the
new screen fabric the same size.
3. Push the edges of the screen fabric into
the channel on top of the frame and on
one side. To do so, use the convex edge
of a spline tool.
4. Roll the other two edges of the screen fabric
into the channels using the spline tool.
5. Push the splines into the channel using the
concave edge of the spline tool. As you do,
pull the screen fabric tight.
6. Trim excess fabric with a utility knife.
Also, see Windows (Page 68).
Homeowners association
If your home is part of a homeowners
association, check with it regarding exterior
maintenance. You should be familiar with what
you can and cannot do, and what maintenance
items the association is responsible.
