South West Fl New Home

Screened In: How to Replace the Screens in Your Windows


In many parts of the world, window screens are an important necessity of comfortable living. While extremely helpful in keeping out unwanted intruders and letting fresh air flow in, screens are by nature delicate and often need repair or replacement. Particularly if you have a rambunctious dog and a sliding screen door, as my parents do. In their case, they have learned to keep a roll of fresh screening handy. In your case, hopefully this wont be quite as regular of a task!

On the do-it-yourself (DIY) scale, repairing or replacing screens is relatively easy and requires little elbow grease. The only materials required are:
new screening or screen patches
scissors
household cement
screen rolling tool
razor knife
square
1x2 and 1x4 stock to stretch the new screening
stapler
brads
wood putty

Screen Repairs
If you have noticed a small hole in your window screen, less than about 3" in diameter, you can simply repair the hole. Plastic screens are difficult to patch and should probably replaced. Fiberglass screens can go either way, while metal screens are easy to patch.
1. Measure the hole(s) and buy ready-made patches or cut them from new screening. For small holes, the patch should have a minimum diameter at least a half-inch larger than the hole. Larger holes require a full inch extra diameter of replacement screening.
2. To insert the patch into the screen, unravel quite a few strands around the patchs edges. Interweave these strands with the screening and bent until the patch is held tightly in place. The stands can usually be bent by hand, but if the screening is heavier you can use long-nosed pliers. Plastic patches also require some household cement on the strand ends after they have been woven into the screen.
3. Small holes (less than 3/8") with some household cement.

Screen Replacement
Replacing screens in metal and wooden frames can require different procedures. Because replacing screens in metal frames is easier, Ill discuss that process first and then move on to replacement of screens in wood frames.

Replace screening in a metal frame
1. Remove the screen from the window and lay on a hard, flat surface large enough to support the entire frame.
2. Remove rubber edging from the old screen. Set aside for reuse if it is in good shape. If not, discard it. Measure and cut new rubber edging.
3. Remove the old, damaged screening. The damaged screening and any scraps can be saved for future repairs.
4. Using the old screening as a pattern or measurements of the window, measure out the new screening from a replacement roll. Be certain to leave sufficient excess screening on all sidestypically enough to reach the outsides of the frame and a bit more.
5. With a screen rolling tool, start in a corner of the frame to tighten the screening into place. Press the rubber edging into the groove and secure the screening in the frame. Work your way slowly and with a steady hand around the screen. This helps avoid the errors of bending the screen frame, which is often made of thin aluminum, and ripping the screening with the screen rolling tool.
6. If you are finding the process difficult, try tacking the material to the frame first (recommended for fabric but not aluminum) or use a spreader to support long screens.
7. When the screening is pressed tightly into the frame, trim excess material with a razor knife.
8. Replace the screen in the window. Sit back and relax in your insect-free home!

Replace screening in a wood frame
Replacing the screening in a wood frame can be more challenging because of the care necessary in affixing the screening to the frame.
1. In the existing frame, start in the center of a strip of screen molding and work toward the ends, prying slowly along the way. Be careful not to break it.
2. For wood frames, the wedge method of stretching ensures tight screening for a quality finished product. For this method, have some 1x2 stock that is slightly wider than the frame handy. Also use 1x4 stocks to make the wedges.
3. Cut new screening from a replacement roll. Be certain to leave sufficient excess screening on all sidestypically enough to reach the outsides of the frame and a bit more.
4. Staple screening across top edge. Nail the bottom cleat to a bench or flat surface and install the 1x2 cleats. Roll the new screening over the cleats and nail to the top cleat.
5. Between the cleats and screen frame, insert the wedges. Tap wedges until the screen is pulled taut.
6. Every few inches, put a staple in the screening along the bottom and then the sides.
7. Trim excess screening. Countersink brads to refit screen moldings and fill holes with wood putty.
8. Finally, staple the entire screen tightly in place working from the center brace outward. Remove the wedges and the screen should stay taut. Use a screen rolling tool or putty knife to replace the screen moldings. As with the metal-framed screen, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet your hard work has afforded you!

Don't lie and pretend that the house is in good condition when it is not.


Five Things to Watch Out for When Installing

An Antenna or Satellite Dish on your Roof

Antennas and satellite dishes are popular ways to connect your television or other different technical equipment. By investing in a dish or antenna, you will have more choices in your home for your entertainment. Dishes and antennas can pick up miles worth of reception for television stations. By installing your own antenna or satellite dish, you will be able to save money.

Before you decide to install an antenna or satellite dish on your roof, there are certain things to consider. By doing so, it will make an easier installation with no complications that may be caused later on. By knowing the directions and details of placing an antenna or satellite dish on your roof, you will be able to enjoy the use of this technology without having to go through re-installing the equipment more than once. By installing an antenna or dish yourself, you can save money and it wont take more than a couple of hours. Be sure to install your new equipment correctly.

1. Installation site. Whether it is an antenna or satellite dish that you are installing, it is important to have a clear path for the dish to receive information. There has to be a clear line of sight between satellites with the entire surface of the dish. The line of site for either the dish or antenna shouldnt be caught in the line of trees, roof tiles, etc. when you place it on your roof.

2. Finding the right place. It is important to keep in mind that with either a dish or an antenna, it is best to put it in a place that not only is clear from any electrical lines, but also allows easy access. By doing this, you will be able to repair or monitor your satellite dish or antenna much easier. If you have to put the dish or antenna on your roof, it is always best to find a place where it isnt going to cause the roof to create leaks into your home.

3. Have the right equipment. There are usually only three parts that you have to connect in order to get the antenna or satellite dish to work right. This includes the dish or antenna, a coax cable that connects the dish to the television and a receiver that plugs directly into your television. When connecting, make sure that the dish or antenna is the shortest distance from where your television is. It is also important to measure the length of the cable in order to determine whether it will reach the dish or antenna from the inside of your home. If needed, you can connect a cable snake to route from further areas if you find it necessary. Other types of equipment which you may need include a drill in order to mount the satellite or antenna in the right place, as well as screws for the dish or antenna.

4. Know which way to point your dish. If you point the dish or antenna in the wrong direction, you wont be able to receive anything. Usually, dishes should be pointed at an angle of twenty-five to fifty degrees. You can find this by a compass that is usually included in the kit that you get when you install your dish.

5. Safety always comes first. When going on your roof to install your antenna or satellite, remember to think of what you need to do in order to prevent yourself from falling. It is best not to go on your roof if the weather has been cold or if it has been raining. Make sure that the ladder that you have is sturdy as well. It is best to have someone hold the ladder for you. Another consideration is to make sure that your shoes have good traction in order to prevent you from falling or slipping while installing the satellite or antenna.

When installing an antenna or satellite dish, there are several things to think through before installation. By knowing the equipment that you need before you go onto your roof, as well as planning out how the dish or antenna will connect to your television, you will prevent hours of repair or work that you may need. By understanding how the dish or antenna will work in relation to your home or television, you will only have to install the equipment once, allowing for an easy installation and several hours of a receptive television.