5 Ways to Make Your House Window and Door Screens Last Longer

You may not realize it, but the window and door screens on your house take quite a beating. The latter get jarred everytime the door gets slammed shut. Screens are subjected to the elements- wind, snow, rain and hot sun. They become soiled by dirt, dust and grime, not to mention birds. Then, there are dogs and cats scratching at them, kids pushing on them, and miscellaneous items such as tree branches falling or being blown against them. House window and door screens are costly to replace. That's why, it's important to know 5 ways to make your house window and door screens last longer!

1. Remove the Window and Door Screens in the Fall If Winter in Your Area Is Bitter Cold and Snowy

This will protect the frame, as well as the screen material, from the extreme elements the North experiences. Your metal screens will be less likely to rust; your wooden screens will have a lesser chance of warping and splintering.

2. Store House Window and Door Screens Properly

Another way to make your house window and door screens last longer is to place them in plastic trash bags and seal them up. Then, store them flat in a cool, dry place away from moisture, and extreme heat and cold. Don't place items on top of them, or the frames could get bent or even broken. The screen material can also become torn.

3. Vacuum Window and Door Screens Periodically to Remove Dirt and Dust

Gently (to avoid stretching and tearing) sweep off your house window and door screens with the soft brush attachment and your vacuum cleaner. How often you need to do this depends on where you live. If you live on a well-traveled city street, or in a dry part of the country, your screens will accumulate more road grime, dust and dirt. I know that, when the roadworkers put tar and chips on my road, my window and doors screens turn white from the dust, and I have to vacuum them.

4. Remove and Wash Your House Window and Door Screens Annually

(You may have to wash them more often, depending on how fast they accumulate dirt and grime.)

First- carefully remove the window and door screens from your house. It's a good idea to use a permanent marker to put identifiers on each screen so it will be easier to figure out where they go when you're done.

Lay them flat, up off the ground, on a plastic tarp or on old blankets. Use a soft material so they don't get scratched or otherwise damaged.

Second- put a few drops of a mild, non-abrasive cleaner- dishwashing detergent works well- in a bucket of warm water. Then, gently scrub the window and door screens with the solution and a soft-bristled brush.

Third- rinse the screens thoroughly with clean water. Then, shake them gently to
help them dry faster. Wipe the frames dry with clean cloths.

5. Wax or Paint the Frames On Window and Door Screens

Another way to make your house window and door screens last longer is to help protect the surfaces of the frames from the elements. Apply a coat of paint or marine varnish to wooden frames, and a coat of wax or marine varnish to metal frames every year or so. Marine varnish is waterproof and resistant to the harmful rays of the sun.

Resources
http://www.hometips.com/repair-fix/window-screens-maintenance.html
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D42NKM?smid=A3AZEU1266GEG2&tag=nextag-sports-mp-delta-20&linkCode=asn
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/screenclean