Window screens are often overlooked. In fact, some homeowners may live in a house or apartment and never touch there window screens. We’re here to convince you why window screens are much more than a “set it and forget it” aspect to a home. Many people appreciate that screens allow them to open up the window and let in a breeze, but there are many other ways they can make your life better. Read on to learn five things you didn’t know your window screens could do for you.
5 Things You Didn’t Know Window Screens Could Do
Save You Money
We’ve all heard the ominous news related to increase energy costs during the winter months. Well, it’s not going to get better this year. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts the U.S. residential price of electricity will increase 8% compared to 2021. Comparatively, the EIA expects retail natural gas to rise by 22%! Your investment in window screens can help you save money in the long run. You might be surprised to learn they play a significant role in the heating and cooling of your home, helping you save money on your energy bill.
Cools your home: On breezy days, you can leave your windows open, turn off your AC, and let nature cool your home.
Insulates your home: Did you know your window screen can even help you insulate your home? While you might consider the window first, your screen plays its own part in keeping your home at the right temperature. They help regulate the temperature of your home and save you costs on heating and cooling. This is especially true if you have a specialty screen, like our solar screen now available on our GenExt custom extruded window screens.
Prevent Pest Infestations
Pests are opportunists, looking for every possible path into your home for food, water, and shelter. Mosquitoes only need 10mm to come inside, while mice need at least ¼”. Your screen helps ensure pests don’t make their way into your home through your open, cracked, or improperly sealed window.
Protect Your Windows
Screens provide a buffer between the outdoors and your window. Instead of gaining direct contact with your glass, screens are the first line of defense against potentially destructive things like hail and baseballs. In addition to keeping the people and belongings inside your home safe, the screen also helps extend the lifespan of your window, further protecting your investments. Plus, it prevents dirt and grime from reaching the glass to keep it looking clean for longer.
Make You Healthier
Did you know your window screen can even improve your health and the safety of your home? Open windows are proven to: 
- Increase oxygen
- Lower radon levels
- Prevent mold and mildew
Are You Ready to Replace Your Home’s Window Screens?
This seemingly daunting task is surprisingly easy to DIY— as long as you know how to properly read a tape measure. Learn the signs it’s time to replace your window screen instead of patching your current one, the ins and outs of using a tape measure, and how you can measure windows for screen replacement. Before you can measure for a window screen replacement, you have to decide that it’s time to pursue this project. How do you know if your window screen has reached its end of life?
Check for these signs: 
- Generally speaking, window screens average a 15-year lifespan. This is dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to: weather, winter protection (i.e. window screens are removed in winter months), damage, cleaning, and whether the screens came with the original windows or were replacements
- It has punctures or tears that can’t be patched. Many people have luck patching minor tears on window screens. If yours is larger than a patch can efficiently cover, it’s time to replace your window screen
- It is impacting your desired lifestyle. A standard mesh screen may have worked for a while, but if it’s no longer meeting your needs, it’s time for a change. This often happens when someone gets a new pet and they need a more durable screen, or they want more protection against the elements
- Corners are faded or broken. Corners are tough to patch, so you’ll likely need to start over with an entirely new screen
- There is corrosion on the frame. In this case, you’ll need to replace your frame, so it’s also time to change your window screen
- The mesh is loose or shiny. These are signs that your window screen has reached its end of life. A shiny screen is indicative of weather damage, while the loose mesh shows the screen no longer has the required durability
Durable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing, RiteScreen produces custom GenExt window screens designed for both ease of use and long-term performance. Once your measurements are accounted for, head over to our Amazon Store to customize your window screens and get FREE SHIPPING today!
