A Window and Door Screens Inspection should be performed in each house with such features. Generally, window screens for residential structures are either mounted on a wood sash, or rimmed with a metal or plastic frame. The wood-framed screen is typically used in conjunction with a storm sash, while the metal- or plastic-framed screen is used in combination storm and screen units. In addition, metal- or plastic-framed screens are also used for casement and awning-type windows, but in this case the screen must be equipped with panels that provide access to the cranks or push bars.
The screen can also be a roll-up screen, however this type is not very common. It is mounted on the inside of the window, and it operates much like a roll-up shade. When the screen is not being used, it can be rolled up. To prevent inspects from flying in around the edges, the sides of the screen move in metal tracks. As the screen ages, however, the joint between the screen and the track tends to open, becoming less effective.
Door Screens Inspection – What to Check
Very often, sliding door screens are the most commonly used doors in a house. On the other hand, they are also often the most poorly constructed doors, consequently they tend to break on a regular basis. The screen door is usually held together at its corners by nothing more than friction and the support provided by the flexible screen mesh. In time, the screen cloth gets loose and the corners get worn, until there is no friction to hold them together. And then the problems begin…
When a screen door gets loose, the first problem is that it can no longer hold its rectangular shape. When you pull on it, the frame will distort and jam itself against the track. To determine whether the frame is loose, go outside and, using your foot, hold the door in place at the bottom. If possible, grab both sides of the screen door, and try to move it slowly, left to right, without removing your foot. If you can easily move the top of the door while the bottom stays still, and the vertical rails feel loose when you move them, your sliding door screen is probably worn out and should be replaced.
If you conclude that the frame is in good condition after performing the test above, move on to check the rollers. A sliding screen door typically has two rollers on top and two rollers at the bottom. Generally, they are adjusted up and down by screws located in the top and bottom of the vertical rails. In time, the nylon rollers break or even fall off entirely. If the rollers do not run freely and the door requires effort to glide left and right, a lubricant is not the solution. The rollers should be replaced.
Another solution would be to take the screen door to your local glass shop and have them replace all corners, all rollers and the screen cloth, but if the frame itself is worn and not very strong, the repair may still not solve your problems. In such cases, consider replacing it completely with a new sliding door, with a thicker, stronger, extruded aluminum frame. From time to time, a Door Screens Inspection is recommended.