The Quick And Easy Way To Patch Holes In Your Window Screen

Window screens are a great addition to most homes, allowing you to let in fresh air without any pesky bugs or outside debris. They can even save you money on cooling costs during the warmer months if you opt for a gentle, natural breeze over running your air conditioner. On the other hand, though, they can cost you money if they tear or rip.

According to Rinaldi's, poor window insulation drives up your energy bills since all the warm or cool air escapes through the opening. The same can be said of screens, especially if you keep your windows open frequently. Plus, a ripped screen can allow bugs and pests to get in. There are any number of reasons these additions may tear, including general wear and use over time, something falling against them and tearing them, or, as Home Depot points out, the frame warping or shrinking. Luckily, there's an easy way to quickly fix a torn window screen using something you likely already own.

Clear nail polish has a large assortment of uses aside from painting your nails. It's commonly used to stop hosiery from running, keep clothing from fraying or unraveling, and stop cheap jewelry from oxidizing on your fingers. But, according to Expert Home Tips, it can also be used for home crafts and repairs, including stopping tears in your window screen.

While nail polish won't magically fix or repair the hole in your window screen, it can help prevent it from getting larger. If you've noticed a tear in it, your big-picture goal should be to replace it, but simply adding a coat of clear nail polish on the material can keep things from getting worse in the interim. All you need to do is paint on the polish around the edges of the tear or hole on each side of the mesh, and then make a trip to your nearest hardware or home improvement store for a replacement screen.

Replacing your window screen may seem like a monumental task, but it isn't inherently difficult if you know what to do. For this repair, you'll need a screwdriver, staple remover, spline roller, staples or nails, a utility knife or scissors, and a screen roll a little larger than your window, per Home Depot.

Begin by removing the frame and then popping out the existing screen. This can be done either by taking it out of the frame with a screwdriver or removing any staples or nails holding it in place. Then, roll out your screen, stretching it and pulling it tight, and cut it with a fair amount of extra margins. Starting at one end, secure the screen onto the frame. Some builds have grooves the screen will stick to, and others may need staples or screws. Once one end is secure, pull it tight and secure the other end and then the sides. Finally, you can cut off the excess screen and reinstall the frame.