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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!

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How to Diagnose a Smoky Fireplace


Its cold and you want to use your fireplace, but youve been having problems in the past with it smoking. You can correct your smoky fireplace issue with a few easy steps. Take a gander at these fireplace tips to correct any issues of a smoky one.

This list of tips should help you correct any problem with a fireplace that fills your house up with black silt smoke. Not only does it need to be done because you cant use your fireplace, but smoke from a fireplace ruins walls, carpets and drapes. This type of smoke is almost impossible to get out of any fabric including your clothes. Besides it not healthy to breathe in the smoke and its especially true with anyone suffering from allergies of any kind.

1. Stoke up the Fireplace Chimney. Be sure to open your damper. Its usually found in front of the fireplace and its a simple switch to pull back. Next warm the chimney air by burning newspaper or any other type of safe material in the fireplace. The goal is to get the air warmer in the chimney so itll push the cold air out and away. Colder air pushes the warmer air down and smoky air can occur.
2. Use Seasoned Wood. Dont burn green timber in your fireplace. Large fireplace logs tend to cause more smoke because it takes them a while to get hot enough to burn off residue. Small logs are the best choice.
3. Open Windows. Sometimes theres not enough draft in a room to catch the fireplace to light. Its not as big of a problem if you happen to live in an older house. Older homes were not built as energy efficient as newer models are, theres not much of a draft to circulate for the use of a fireplace. So open one or two windows to help your fireplace start burning.
4. Purchase Fireplace Bricks. Even though youre using a grate at times it doesnt provide enough air circulation under the wood for it to catch. Smoke is the result that billows into your house. You can buy extra fireplace bricks to build up your grate to a higher level. This will help stop smoking by creating enough draft under the grate.
5. Scale Down the Fireplace Opening. Extra large fireplaces have more of a problem heating an area. This is usually because the chimney is much smaller than the open hearth part. The trick is to balance the size with the chimney. Certain fireplace stores carry reducers that can be installed. Also look for a shield to catch any smoke that may circulate into the room
6. Turn Down the Furnace. Smoky air can be created when theres not enough air in the house. For example when it heats the air in the chimney the fan returns it to the house in the form of smoke when your furnace is on. So turn down the furnace to a level thats acceptable for the other rooms, or if you can bear it turn it off.
7. Clean out Pipes or Raise Them. Sometimes the pipes outside can get clogged from debris or even bird nests. At other times pipes are not long enough and need to be replaced. Cutting back high growing trees and branches will help cut down on smoke in the fireplace too because the air is not stopped from circulating, and pushed back into the house as smoke.
8. Hire a Professional Cleaning Crew. Smoke from wood can give off a substance known as creosote. This is a natural by product of burning wood in your fireplace. Have your fireplace checked once a year and cleaned. Fireplace maintenance is a safety issue too.


Your fireplace should be something for you to enjoy and not fret over. However fireplaces are like other things around the house that need care and attention. Remember just because it doesnt run off electricity doesnt mean that it can be ignored. It sits patiently for autumn to roll around and to provide you with warmth. In the mean time make sure your ready to go by inspecting it and having it cleaned. In the autumn and winter months you can sit back and enjoy the warmth of the fire and a smoke free house too.