It’s cold, it’s breezy, there’s snow, it’s winter… It’s a common question that homeowners ask, “Should I be removing and storing my window screens during the winter months?” The simple answer to this questions is yes! If you like to open your window during the winter, it’s a good idea to keep the screen on to keep your pets in and the snow out, but otherwise, it’s not a bad idea to take your screens off and store them for the winter. Here are 5 reasons why:
Benefits of removing your Window Screens During the Winter
1 Let the light in! It may be obvious to some, but removing your screen will allow more natural light come through your windows.
2 Prevent snow from getting trapped! Removing your screens will prevent snow from becoming trapped between the screen and the window if you have an in-swing or slider. Whenever there is a snowstorm or a big Saskatchewan wind, it is possible for snow/ice to get caught and potentially cause damage to your window, your sill, or even tear your screen.
3 Believe it or not, window screens are a barrier for heat! Removing your window screens will increase the solar heat gain coefficient (the ratio of solar heat gain entering the space through the fenestration product to the incident solar radiation). In more simple terms, the heat from the sun will increase your home’s energy efficiency, which should also reduce your heating costs.
4 Get rid of the condensation! When the screen is inside your home it can act as a condensation trap. Without proper air flow and ventilation you will most likely notice a build up of condensation, and depending on your window material this could potentially lead to mold and mildew developing.
5 Keep dirt and debris out! We never know if we are going to have a plus 10 day or a -40 day… with that being said taking your window screen off prevents the build up of dirt and other debris from being trapped between your screen and window. Removing the screen could save you some time on Spring cleaning!
Annual Window and Screen Maintenance
Now that you have a bit more information about some of the benefits of removing your screens, we hope you see why it’s not such a bad idea. Another benefit of removing your screens during the winter is that it can increase the longevity and performance throughout the years to come!
Even if you choose to leave your screens on year round, it’s still a good idea to inspect them once a year. You want to ensure that there are no rips, tears, or weak points in your screens. The last thing you want when spring rolls around is allowing bugs to get into your home!
How to Clean and Maintain your Window Screens
1 It’s always a good idea to label your screens when you remove them. Whether you are cleaning them, or storing them for the winter. Saves you time trying to figure out which screen goes where!
2 Vacuum! Get out your vacuum and get rid of as much of the debris, spider webs, dust, or pollen as you can.
3 Rinse with soapy water! Simply wipe down your screens with a microfiber cloth or a sponge using a soapy water solution.
4 Rinse with water! Make sure to rinse off all the soap with either a bucket of fresh water, or using a low pressure stream.
5 Dry well! Before storing or re-installing your window screens, you want to make sure they are completely dry!
If your screens are damaged or need to be replaced, don’t hesitate to contact us! We are able to repair or replace any screen, in almost any colour. If we could recommend the perfect time to get your window screens repaired, it would have to be early spring. You are going to want to beat the mosquito’s, black flies, and any other pesky bugs that you don’t want in your home!
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