Repair Your Screen Door - Enjoy a Northern Nevada Breeze!
Northern Nevada is breezy! We have breezes in morning and late evening through spring, summer and fall. It is the perfect place to have a screen door. They let in cool Northern Nevada breezes and fresh air in, while keeping out bugs and insects. In Northern Nevada, we often have 40 degree swings during summer and fall. We can be in the low 40's in the mornings and in the high 80's in the afternoons. Once the sun goes behind the Sierra Nevada mountain range, we cool right back down very quickly. If you have a screen door, you can maximize your natural airflow and cool your house down in the evenings. It's a nice way to cool your home down from the heat of the day and save on energy costs.
Unfortunately, screen doors can easily be torn and bent out of shape, which is a hazard to anyone who uses them, particularly dogs, cats, and kids. Replacing screen doors can be expensive and time consuming. Plus, you will have a really hard time finding hardware stores that carry screens to fit your door, especially if the door is older. Your initial attempt and lowest cost and hassle repair will be to patch any small tears. If your screen only has a small hole, try using an all-weather or waterproof adhesive to close it up. A screen patch can be sewn over a small tear. However, patching and mending screens only goes so far. You get to a point where you know the whole screen simply needs to be replaced. Trying to find the make and model of your screen door, in order to have the company replace the screen, is a lot of work, let alone extremely expensive. Replacing the screen yourself will save you a lot of time and money. This process is likely not as difficult as you think. Here are the simple steps to replacing the screen easily and quickly.
Steps To Repairing A Screen Door
1. Depending on the damage, you will need some tools and supplies to repair your screen. Before you start, you will need: screen material (either fiberglass or aluminum mesh will work), aluminum or wooden framing, a utility knife, a flat-head screwdriver, and a splining roller. Luckily, all these items are easily obtained at a hardware store.
2. Begin by removing the old spline and screen from the frame. You will need to pry the spline with a screwdriver. If the spline is still flexible, you can reuse the screen and save some money. Otherwise, find the right replacement. What is the spline? It's the weatherstripping 'stuff' in the groove between the frame and the mesh.
3. After you remove the old spline, examine the frame. If it is undamaged, start replacing the material. If not, get a hacksaw and begin cutting. Measure the aluminum framing material to coordinate with the former frame.
4. Then, connect the framing pieces into the corner brackets, which also only need to be replaced if damaged. You may then begin replacing the screen by first unrolling the screen material. Pull the material taut over the frame, but allow an inch or so of material to hang over the edges. There are two types if mesh available: aluminum and fiberglass. If you can find fiberglass, you may want to use it since it is more forgiving and can be stretched more easily than aluminum.
5. Place the spline over the taut screening material and push it into the frame grooves. Use the roller to fill the grooves evenly. Then, cut away the extra screen material with a utility knife or scissors.
5. Reassemble the screen door frame and reattach to your door. It's just that simple!
Now you can enjoy the pleasant flow of lazy Northern Nevada breeze, without the bugs trying to invade your home, while keeping your beloved pets and children inside.
(Photos courtesy of kissyplusr, freckspecks, and NazZMedia - Flickr.com)
Posted By: Christianne Gordon - Northern Nevada Real Estate Agent - RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, specializing in Carson Valley Real Estate and Northern Nevada Real Estate.
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Christianne Gordon, REALTOR®, CDPE, SFR, , PSC, e-PRO
Certified Distressed Property Expert - Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource - Pre-Foreclosure Certified
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Great Nevada Homes, Inc.
Direct: (775) 881-8223
Visit us online at GreatNevadaHomes.com or CarsonValleyShortsales.com
The information in Christianne Gordon's blog is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Any individual considering a short sale should also seek independent tax and legal advice to get specific information as it relates to their personal situation. Christianne Gordon is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates serving the entire Northern Nevada region including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Washoe Valley, North Valleys, Fernley, Dayton, Stagecoach, Minden, Genoa, Gardnerville, Smith Valley and Yerington.
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