Completing a DIY project can be fun and fulfilling. Window screens are something that every home needs, but is this the project that should be on your DIY radar? There are many tips and articles about how to build DIY window screens, but are they worth the hassle? Creating your own window screens is possible and can be very effective in protecting a home if done correctly.
Below are some common questions about DIY window screens and how to ensure they are the best quality for your specific home.
What Materials Can Be Used?
Using the right materials for your DIY window screens come down to a few factors, matching your home’s other materials, and ensuring it is durable enough for your climate.
Many people who choose to build their own screens use an easy assembly kit that can be found online. Others craft the screen completely from scratch by cutting pieces of material down to the exact size they need.
Some common materials that are used for DIY window screens can include:
- Wood
- Metal
- Aluminum
- Plastic
Before starting your project, read up on how each of these materials will hold up in your climate and choose the one that best fits your budget.
Do DIY Screens Need To Be Painted?
Priming, painting, or wood staining can help your DIY window screens avoid rotting. While painting is not required to create a proper window screen, it does help the appearance and longevity of your windows.
You will also want to paint the frames before putting your screen mesh into the frame. This will make your DIY project much cleaner and avoid paint getting on your window screen.
Choose an oil-based primer and a high-quality exterior paint that can withstand different types of weather and UV light.
Proper Measurements
Like with any project, you will want to ensure that your measurements are correct so that the window screen fits perfectly. This will create the perfect seal and prevent bugs and weather from getting inside the home.
If you have the old screen, you can take measurements off of this to craft your new one. If the screen is not available, you can measure the outside of the window but will need to subtract around 1 to 2 inches to account for the window well and the frame around the screen.
To accurately measure this, Measure the width from where the screen would slide in, to the outside of the window frame.
Pros And Cons Of DIY Window Screens
Before taking on the project, you should know the pros and cons. Doing something yourself is not easier than ever with access to courses, YouTube videos, and online help articles.
The biggest reason people complete DIY projects is to feel the satisfaction that they completed them themselves. The accomplishment and pride you feel after building something is really rewarding, so if you get to the end of your self-window screens with a quality result, you will feel immense self-satisfaction.
Another pro of completing a DIY project is gaining more knowledge about the workings of windows and how to properly craft something together. Gaining these random skills could help you when you may be short on money or if others around you need help.
Some of the cons of DIY projects may deter many people from trying them out at all. Window screens are no exception, especially when it comes to the longevity of the project and the cost.
Because you are completing the project on your own, there may be a higher cost for materials because you won’t be buying them in bulk or don’t have a relationship with a manufacturer. While you may save some money by not hiring a professional installer or buying a pre-built window screen, you will need to weigh the savings of doing it yourself compared to buying pre-assembled.
Another concern of repairing windows is safety concerns. Climbing up on higher parts of your roof can be dangerous and increase the risk of falls.
Window Services With Jacob’s Ladder
Our Colorado-based company offers window cleaning, gutter cleaning, window screen repair, pressure washing, and holiday lighting for homes in the Colorado Springs area. Our team works hard to complete any project in a timely manner so that you can get back to bigger priorities around your home.
Jacob’s Ladder Window Cleaning is a family-run company that has been perfecting our skills for over 12 years. We respect all of our customer’s time and budgets to bring you the highest quality window services. Give your windows the sparkle they deserve by contacting us today!