Summerville Window Screen Repair Services
On a hot summer's evening, there's nothing quite like throwing all the windows in the house open and letting a nice, cool breeze of fresh air from the Atlantic rush through the house. But when you only want the breeze and not the mosquitoes or other creepy crawlies, it's important to keep your window screens in good shape. A screen with a hole or rip in it might as well not be there at all, so if your mesh window coverings are in rough condition, it's definitely time for Summerville window screen repair service from a qualified Summerville glass company.
Count on the team of experienced professionals at Glass Doctor Home + Business of Charleston and Summerville for reliable, long-lasting Summerville window screen repair solutions. We take customer satisfaction seriously, which is why we always work hard to deliver the best quality service and results for every one of our customers.
How Our Team Tackles Summerville Window Screen Repair Service
If you're not sure how to go about restoring your mesh screens to good shape so they can keep pests outside where they belong, you may not know what to expect from Summerville window screen repair service. Regardless of the issue, our reliable technicians have the experience and skill to take care of fast, efficient window screen repair. Summerville, SC homeowners can count on us to get the job done correctly, so all they need to do is sit back and enjoy that fresh breeze.
Patching
When you're dealing with one or two minor holes in window screens, patching may be the best Summerville window screen repair solution for a quick, simple fix. However, it's worth noting that appearance is a potential issue with patching repairs. There's no way to completely conceal a screen repair patch, so it does create a spot of visual disturbance on the screen that some people don't care for. Mesh is supposed to be subtle enough that our brains can basically edit it out, and we don't even notice we're looking through it, but that can be more difficult with a noticeable patch. The smaller the patch needs to be to cover the hole, the better the visual results will be. If it bothers you to have a place on the mesh that looks different from the rest, replacement is likely a better option than patching.
The method of patching that your Summerville window screen repair expert chooses is going to depend on which screen type you have. The two most common types are aluminum and fiberglass, and if you have an aluminum screen, a patch is little more than another piece of mesh screen with longer ends at its edges. We'll handle this one by tidying up edges around the hole on your covering and selecting a patch that is slightly bigger than its gap. Then, we'll put your patch in place and carefully bend the wire ends around your existing screen to make sure the patch is fully secured to the screen. With a fiberglass screen, the Summerville window screen repair process is a bit different. Again, we'll neaten up the hole's edges and then press an adhesive patch into place, using a heat source such as a hair dryer to melt its adhesive a bit and ensure it's really stuck firmly on to your mesh.
Replacement
In many situations, replacing your mesh altogether is going to be the Summerville window screen repair method that gets you ideal results. The process takes longer, and it requires some skill and experience to get it done correctly, but the results look as good as new because the mesh is, in fact, brand-new. The caveat is that a replacement is only going to work if your screen framing is in good shape and not warped. If it is warped and bent, the entire package of frame and mesh should be replaced together.
If just your mesh needs replacement, we'll take your screen frame out of your window frame and remove your old screen panel and rubber spline. Then we'll cut out a new panel, leaving about an inch of extra material along each side. With your mesh frame laid out on a flat surface, we'll lay your new panel over top of it and press the new spline into its spline channel by working around its edge with a spline tool and taking care to ensure we're getting your mesh into your frame even and taught. Once it's firmly in place, we'll reinstall your frame over the window.
Why Glass Doctor is Summerville's Top Choice for Window Screen Repair
Windows, and all the necessary accessories that come along with them, like screens, are a critical part of any residential or commercial building. When something goes wrong with them, property owners need to know where they can turn for expert workmanship and trustworthy customer service—and the answer is Glass Doctor Home + Business of Charleston and Summerville. Our dedicated team of glass professionals can solve any window or glass problem in no time flat, including Summerville window screen repair. We also offer services such as reliable window installation, window replacement and window repair to homes and businesses in Charleston and Summerville, including parts of the surrounding area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summerville Window Screen Repair
What Are the Signs I Need Summerville Window Screen Repair?
It may seem obvious when Summerville window screen repair is needed. Still, the damage often goes unnoticed at the time it occurs, or the mesh deteriorates slowly over time. Hence, it's not as easy as it may sound to realize there's a problem that calls for professional attention from a qualified window technician.
- Holes and Rips: Damaged mesh with issues such as rips and holes is clearly a problem because the whole purpose of that mesh is to keep pests out, and a hole is basically an invitation for them to welcome themselves inside until you get window screen repair. Summerville, SC professionals on our team will get the tears or holes patched or replace the damaged system altogether to make sure bugs stay outside where they belong, and you can enjoy your home in Summerville without unwelcome visitors.
- Rust: Signs of corrosion and rust are bad signs that call for Summerville window screen repair because they will eat away at the delicate strands of your mesh until it's riddled with holes. It also blocks your view out of the window and is just unsightly. Rust can be removed by taking the screen out of the frame and soaking it in a vinegar solution, but it's simpler and faster to replace it with a type of mesh that is less susceptible to corrosion.
- Mesh Coming Out of Frame: Sometimes, mesh comes loose from its spline and escapes the frame, leaving a big gap along the side that renders the screen pretty much useless. This often happens because the rubber spline has deteriorated or snapped, so the solution is to replace the spline and get the mesh securely back in its frame with no gaping.
- Difficult to Operate Window: If you have to shove or heave to get your window open and closed, there are a number of potential causes for the problem. If you notice parts of the screen hanging loose or getting in the way of the latch, it's possible a damaged screen is interfering with the window operation somehow and causing you to need Summerville window screen repair.
- Pest Infestations: We've mentioned bugs several times for good reason. Those mesh inserts are often referred to as bug screens because their primary reason for existing is to let in a breeze and keep out pesky insects, from mosquitoes and flies to cockroaches and beyond. If you notice there are suddenly a lot more bugs in your house, check your mesh for signs, you need Summerville window screen repair.
What Size of Screen Mesh Do I Need to Keep Bugs Out?
Since keeping bugs out is the purpose of your mesh, it makes a lot of sense that you want to ensure you can keep them at bay. When people worry about bugs, they often mean mosquitoes—and who can blame them? Fully-grown mosquitoes can range in size from around a tenth of an inch to a quarter of an inch for the overachievers, and standard mesh is 18×16, meaning there are 18 strands per inch going one way and 16 strands per inch going the other way. Those gaps are far too tiny for mosquitoes, so you can have peace of mind knowing you're protected from invasions by nature's most irritating insect. If you're worried about their annoying little cousins, no-see-ums (also called biting gnats or midges), a 20×20 covering is a better choice.
How Often Do I Need Window Screen Replacement?
In Summerville, SC, it really depends on how frequently they are exposed to factors such as harsh weather and excess moisture, but in general, you can expect the mesh to need replacement every ten years or so with small repairs in between if needed. Of course, if it is punctured by an impact or nibbled away by rodents or certain types of insect species, it will need replacement when the damage occurs. On the upside, Summerville window screen repair services and the new mesh panels are not expensive, so it's not too big of a deal to get it done once a decade or sooner if necessary. At Glass Doctor, we only provide our customers with high quality products.
Which Type of Mesh is the Most Durable?
For straight-up durability and strength, polyester is likely the toughest mesh material available. It's probably not necessary for most properties, as fiberglass or aluminum will hold up just fine under normal use, but there are some situations where a more heavy-duty solution is warranted. If you have a cat or dog who likes to claw at your window screens and tear big, jagged gashes in them, for example, polyester will be better able to withstand their "attention." Another example is if you live in an area with high exposure to rough weather, and your house really gets pummeled by storms and strong winds. In that case, it may be worthwhile to consider a mesh that is particularly strong and durable.
Can I Just Use Screen Tape for Summerville Window Screen Repair?
There is such a thing as screen repair tape, which is similar to duct tape, but the actual tape is mesh, so you can patch up a hole or rip in your mesh without impeding the flow of air. A good brand with strong adhesive should work well for a while, but it is a temporary solution that will eventually peel off and need to be reapplied until you finally call our Summerville window screen repair experts to get it replaced altogether.
How Long Does Summerville Window Screen Repair Take?
There are a number of factors that can impact the length of time needed for Summerville window screen repair, but in most cases, our team can get it done pretty quickly. Patching as a repair service is a lot faster than replacing, but even mesh replacement doesn't typically take more than about an hour unless there are multiple screens that need window screen repair. Summerville, SC homeowners can rely on us to work efficiently and get the job done so they can get back to enjoying their homes without worry of invading pests.
Call Glass Doctor for Expert Summerville Window Screen Repair
If you live in Summerville, SC or a nearby part of South Carolina such as North Charleston, Goose Creek or Mount Pleasant, the doctor is in—Glass Doctor Home + Business of Charleston and Summerville, that is. Our dependable team is available for a wide range of expert services such as Summerville window screen repair, glass shower door repair, window installation services, and much more.
Contact us today by calling (843) 970-2192 to chat with our friendly customer service representatives and find out more about our glass and screen installation and repair services, or book an appointment for service at a convenient time.