How do I replace missing screens on our porch?
May 3, 2020 7:02 AM Subscribe
We have a porch that was built around 1940 by the guy that owned the house. I'm pretty sure the same screens and storms are in the windows. When we moved in almost 10 yrs ago, the top screen for all of the windows were accidentally thrown away. We've been living, in the warm weather, with screens in the bottom parts and storms in the top. This is not ideal and I'd like to find a somewhat affordable solution to replacing screens. Photos and more details inside.
Here is a photo of one end of the porch. As you can see the sizes are not all uniform. And two up close photos.
We can't spend thousands of dollars on this right now, but when it's warm and the sun pours in through the storms it's super hot. We live in Boston, for weather reference.
The larger windows are just off of any standard size I can find anywhere. Is my best bet to buy kits where I can custom make screens to fit? It doesn't have to look beautiful. Can I buy a roll of screen and somehow put it across the windows on the outside and take the storms in and out as needed?
I have no expectations that I'm going to be able to get something that will work in the old school tracks of the existing windows. We had someone come out once and they quoted us something that included actual replacement windows and building a better frame in each window. Maybe someday in the future, but right now we're looking for a more affordable DIY option.
Here is a photo of one end of the porch. As you can see the sizes are not all uniform. And two up close photos.
We can't spend thousands of dollars on this right now, but when it's warm and the sun pours in through the storms it's super hot. We live in Boston, for weather reference.
The larger windows are just off of any standard size I can find anywhere. Is my best bet to buy kits where I can custom make screens to fit? It doesn't have to look beautiful. Can I buy a roll of screen and somehow put it across the windows on the outside and take the storms in and out as needed?
I have no expectations that I'm going to be able to get something that will work in the old school tracks of the existing windows. We had someone come out once and they quoted us something that included actual replacement windows and building a better frame in each window. Maybe someday in the future, but right now we're looking for a more affordable DIY option.
Best answer: I agree with MountainDaisy, the screen kits should work nicely. The aluminum frames generally come in two widths, to match the track width. Since your windows are older I'd suggest measuring your track width and if none of the ready-made screen kits match that width, use some weather stripping or backer rod to hold them in place.
Given the number of windows you're making, rather than buying a bunch of kits it's also possible to buy the framing extrusions, screening and other components in bulk. Do make sure your corner pieces are compatible with your frame though... as I learned from experience when I built some new screens...
posted by dttocs at 7:35 AM on May 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
Given the number of windows you're making, rather than buying a bunch of kits it's also possible to buy the framing extrusions, screening and other components in bulk. Do make sure your corner pieces are compatible with your frame though... as I learned from experience when I built some new screens...
posted by dttocs at 7:35 AM on May 3, 2020 [1 favorite]
If you're trying to improve airflow by having the windows open top and bottom, why not just stick a box fan in one of the windows to draw air through instead? In every older home I've been in, the top sashes of double hung windows have been painted shut, nailed shut, have broken sash cords, etc, which I guess shows how little people use/prioritize the top sashes. Which in no way is to say that you shouldn't replace the screens and open the windows at the top, just that mechanically ventilating the room will probably be more effective at keeping temps down than having more screened area and is the 'low hanging fruit' in this scenario.
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 8:01 AM on May 3, 2020
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 8:01 AM on May 3, 2020
I would guess that you are not missing any screens. Most windows are set up for screens either top or bottom, it is difficult to see in the photos but you likely only have a single track intended for the screen, it is meant to move up and down and would be hard to accommodate two screens.
posted by InkaLomax at 2:20 PM on May 3, 2020
posted by InkaLomax at 2:20 PM on May 3, 2020
Response by poster: Thanks for these tips. I’m going to buy one screen kit and see how I do and go from there!
-LarryDavidSyndrome: it’s not so much that it’s hot, it’s that the sun beats through the glass storms and if you’re close it feels like it’ll burn a hole in your skin.
-InkaLomax: we did have upper and lower screens. They were accidentally thrown out. Right now the top is holding a storm and a screen and the bottom, just a storm. The previous owners would take the storms out and put the screens in when the seasons turned.
posted by jdl at 2:48 PM on May 3, 2020
-LarryDavidSyndrome: it’s not so much that it’s hot, it’s that the sun beats through the glass storms and if you’re close it feels like it’ll burn a hole in your skin.
-InkaLomax: we did have upper and lower screens. They were accidentally thrown out. Right now the top is holding a storm and a screen and the bottom, just a storm. The previous owners would take the storms out and put the screens in when the seasons turned.
posted by jdl at 2:48 PM on May 3, 2020
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posted by MountainDaisy at 7:09 AM on May 3, 2020 [1 favorite]