September 2021 - Whitt Inspections, LLC

Why Your Home Inspector Mentions Window Screen Replacement and How To DIY It

A window screen replacement can be a pain in the butt. And in all honestly, it’s usually one of those things we ignore. After all, we still have our window to protect us from the Florida weather, right?

Well, not exactly.

If you’re buying a home in Florida, your home inspection report will bring up damaged or missing window screens.

Why the heck would we do that? We’re glad you asked!

3 Reasons Your Home Inspector Mentions Window Screen Replacement

While Florida doesn’t technically require homeowners to replace their ripped window screens, most home inspectors still make a note of it. Unless you are a property manager, then they are required for rentals.

This process is a lot more refined than first-time homebuyers realize. Aspects of a home that you may not have thought to look at (like window screens) might be a cause for concern later down the road.

Overlooked home discrepancies like clogged drains can cause plumbing issues, while something as simple as a dirty filter can be catastrophic to your entire AC unit. And that’s a pretty costly deal— especially here in Florida.

Your windows serve as a primary barrier between the safety of your home and the outside world. Broken screens are a structural and health-related concern that home inspectors find relevant to the home buying process.

Here are some other reasons why we might suggest window screen replacement.

#1: To Keep Away The Mosquitos

If you’ve lived in Florida long enough, you know that mosquitos are an ever-present pest.

But did you know that, by far, mosquitos are the deadliest creature in the world?

Sure, you’re more likely to simply get an itchy bump on your arm if a mosquito bites you. However, mosquitoes carry diseases that are routinely transmitted to humans.

According to the CDC, “West Nile virus is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the continental United States.” Some other known illnesses caused by these creatures include Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Zika Virus.

Floridians are especially at risk because mosquitos are prevalent after heavy rains and hurricanes. Believe it or not, one million people die from mosquito-borne diseases every year.

These window screens help keep you and your family safe.

#2: Multiple Levels of Protection

Window screens may not look like much, but they do more work than they’re given credit for.

Besides critter protection, window screens can also expand the life of your windows. It helps prevent water from pooling along your window edges which can cause your window frame to rust.

When your window frame is damaged, it can lead to foggy windows (which will need replacing) or even excess water in your home. This water infiltration can cause mold, interior paint peeling, and other structural issues from Florida’s inclement weather.

Window screens are also just an additive layer of protection in case something comes flying at your window!

#3: Cost For Window Screen Replacement

The total cost to DIY your window screen replacement is about $25-55. That’s assuming you only need to replace the screen and not the frame. Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need:

1. Aluminum or fiberglass screening $10-15

2. Spline replacement $15-20

3. Spline tool $10

4. Utility knife $10

5. Screen repair kit for small patches $3

Here’s a great video on how to repair your window screen:

To hire someone for window screen replacement, you’re looking at an average cost of about $135 per window.

These costs aren’t something you would typically bother the seller with at negotiations.

But when your home inspector tells you that it’s five window screens that need replacing, then it might be worth bringing up.

How To Replace Window Screen Frame

When just one window screen needs replacing, all you need are the tools above for a quick DIY fix. The biggest issue for window screen replacement comes when the frame is bent. Now, you have the restore the entire screen unit.

So let’s get into how to replace a window screen frame.

Step 1: How to measure for window screens

Measure the width of your window first. Using your tape measure, go from corner to corner. Try to get to the nearest 1/8 inch.

To measure the window height, find the lip. This is the rubber piece at the top and bottom of your window (where your previous screen frame sat).

For double windows, you’ll want to measure from directly behind the lip, up to the window channel (the section separating the top pane from the bottom pane). Add 1/8 inch here.

Here’s a video on how to measure for window screens of various sizes.

Now that you know your window’s measurements, you can choose the right size pre-framed window screen.

Step 2: How to remove window screens

Removing window screens and their frame is pretty simple.

Open the window and press gently on the corner of the frame. This tension helps release the rounded springs that are at the top of the frame. You may need the help of a tool for this, but the bottom half should pop out from behind the lip. Get a grip on the bottom of the screen and pull down to release the frame from the window. Side note: On some windows this should be done from the inside, so if you’re having trouble, go to the other side of the window.

You may also have tabs on the bottom of your screen. If that’s the case, lift them simultaneously, and then push the screen out. Pull down to release the top of half of the window screen frame from the window.

For tricky window screen removals, watch this video.

Step 3: Window screen replacement

Now that your screen is out, you can choose to replace it with a pre-framed screen that you can get at Home Depot. Or you can re-screen it yourself using the tutorial above.

To replace your window with a pre-framed screen, align it with the top half of your window opening. Try to get those springs into place.

From there, your screen should have tabs that you can use to lower the bottom of your screen behind the lip. It should snap right into place!

Here’s a video for visual instruction.

We hope this quick tutorial can help you DIY your window screen replacement (or get you a better deal for closing on your new home)! And remember to always ask your home inspector about the condition of your home’s windows and screens.

Speaking of, is it time for your home inspection? Contact us for a quote!

September 22, 2021

Homeowner Resources

Breaking Down the Anatomy of a Window For Florida Homeowners

Living in Florida, knowing your window anatomy is actually pretty important.

Between hurricanes, bugs, frequent rain, and hot summer days, your windows do a lot of work to keep you comfortable and safe.

When we do home inspections, we always make a note of window discrepancies: is the sash slipping? Is the flashing tarnished? Is it time to replace your battered glazing with proper hurricane windows?

If you want to inspect your own windows, let us help by breaking down the various parts of a window.

A Simple Break Down of Window Anatomy

The truth is, without knowing window anatomy, you won’t know if all you need is a simple fix— or a complete window replacement.

You just have some new terminology to learn! Plus, we’re sure your neighbors and friends will be super impressed when you explain the history behind window mullions during hurricane season.

The Basics

Speaking of mullions, let’s start with those.

Mullions

Mullions are an ancient bit of architecture that isn’t technically necessary nowadays. Because we have the technology to support large windows (even floor-to-ceiling windows), these structural beams aren’t a standard unit in modern homes.

Window mullions are the vertical bases that hold a single window in its place. Or it’s the panel that separates individual windows that are side-by-side (see picture below).

It wasn’t until the Victorian Era that society found a way to build large, sustainable windows without the support of window mullions.

Some people use this term interchangeably with muntins. However, there is a difference between window mullions and muntins.

Muntins

Muntins are the vertical and horizontal parts of a typical depiction of a window.

Think about how you would draw a window: a square with two lines, right? Those lines are the muntins. They form the grid that used to hold window panes together.

Key words: used to.

Like mullions, window muntins aren’t necessary for modern architecture. These bars would hold smaller pieces of glass together to make a large window before we could construct large, stable pieces of glass.

So fun fact: The window mullions and muntins that you see in post-Victorian homes are purely decorative.

Glazing / Lights / Pane

We refer to each piece of glass held together by muntins as a window light or “fixed light.” A fixed light is a non-operational window (meaning it can’t open).

When referring to window anatomy, glazing is technically the glass itself (also commonly referred to as the window “pane”). You can choose from various types of glazing, from single to triple thickness. This becomes important when you’re considering hurricane windows. According to glass.com,

“Hurricane resistant glazing is meant to help protect the interior of a building from the high winds, strong rain and projectiles… wind and rain can penetrate the building and cause structural damage to the building.”

Sash

The sash is the part of the window that can open and close. The supporting structures are the stile (the vertical frame bars) and the rails (the horizontal frame bars).

Be sure to analyze the weatherstripping surrounding your sash. Damaged weatherstripping can be the reason rainwater or pests slip into your home ,or why your home seems hotter than usual.

Anatomy of the Window Frame

Now that you understand the structural façade of your window choices, let’s get into the best part: the framing!

This part is (obviously) the compound that secures your window into the framing of your house. The window frame specifics are what you need to look out for if you have a leak or you’re looking for heavy-duty hurricane windows.

Head

This is the topmost part of your window frame. The horizontal beam is an essential part of the window anatomy because it helps lock the window panes into place.

The head, along with the rest of the frame, will be made up of either: wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, etc. The sturdier the material, the better suited it is to withstand Florida hurricanes.

Sill

We all know what a window sill is, so we won’t go into too much detail. A window sill expands from the window into the interior of your home, like a shelf. It can also do this on the exterior of your home, but that is called a “stool.”

Underneath your window sill, you may notice what looks to be an extension of the window frame itself. This is called the window “apron,” and it’s only for decorative purposes.

Jambs

Jambs are only the vertical beams on either side of your window’s entire frame. The horizontal beams are the head and the sill.

Casing

And the casing is the decorative molding within your window frame (beneath the head and above the sill). It historically keeps the sash, jambs, and other hardware locked tight into place, although it’s more cosmetic today.

Hardware

And last but not least, let’s talk about hardware. These are the smaller “cells” (if you will) that make up the rest of your window anatomy.

Many of these parts are easily replaceable. Because this is probably the aspect of a window you’re most familiar with, let’s just breeze through these:

Check Rail: For double-hung windows (where you can raise the bottom sash), the check rail is the beam in between the top and bottom panes.
Latch: Also called a sash lock. Just like doors, there are plenty of window locking mechanisms to choose from.
Lift: The hardware that enables double-hung windows to lift open and close.
Arm: This is what makes it possible for your windows to swing open or close. Known as either a scissor arm or extension arm.
Flashing: Typically made of aluminum, this material is water-resistant and helps fill in any gaps around your window’s frame.
Caulking: Usually silicone, latex or an acrylic urethane that borders your window frame to keep exterior elements from seeping through the cracks. Flexibility is key here.

Conclusion

Now that you understand the anatomy of a window, you’ll know exactly what to ask for when you shop for new ones! Do you want the traditional-style windows with mullions in the windowpane? Or do you want to go for the more modern, double-hung windows with easily replaceable hardware?

UP NEXT: HOW TO FIND A STUD IN A PLASTER WALL

September 8, 2021

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