The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1985-03-20, Page 38Sereeltx dririn you buggy? T -A Home improvement, March 20_ 1985 Page 3 Here are some simple fix -it tips for mending, replacing and installing Repairing, replacing and installing screen doors and windows is a springtime chore that can drive sone homeowners buggier than the bugs they're trying to keep outside. And it needn't be. There are simple approaches to most household tasks, and screening is no exception. - For those who abhor the semi-annual Ptt ='em -up, take -'em -down routine, the ultimate solution is to leave 'em be. Unless the screened space is later replaced with insert -type storm glass panels, that's per- fectly permissible with many of the alumi- num storm door -window screen systems available today. These combination units feature the di- mensional stability of extruded aluminum frames and the non -corrosive, low mainte- nance advantages of aluminum screen cloth. And they're available in many sizes and combinations. - Double -track glass and screen combina- tions ate designed for the glass panel to be opened for screen -only use. with latch - locks for easy lift -out of the screen panel to clean the screen and window exterior. Triple -track units include screen and standard pane glass backed by a remov- able double -pane insulating glass panel, all within an integral system. Use non -corrosive aluminum With many of these, the screens can be taken down or left in place on a year-round basis. Why leave then up? Well, why not? The take -'em -down philosophy dates back to the type of wire mesh screening that rusted from exposure to rain and snow. Aluminum screen cloth is naturally non -corrosive and affords homeowners the opportunity to keep screens in place year-round. N'11111, SIDING LOOKS PROF ESSiO.\:1L YET PERFORMS Homes that combine the charm of tradi- tional appearance with the low mainte- nance of up-to-date building products are much in favor among consumers these days. One such building product is solid vinyl siding. That's why it is so popular in home - remodeling. says the Vinyl Siding Insti- tute. Since it has color clear through. vinyl siding won't peel, rust, pit. flake, blister or corrode. It will remain new -looking for years with an occasional rinse using mild detergent and water. And it comes in a wide range of colors. designs and texturet to suit most architectural styles. Additional benefits Vinyl siding also eliminates the cost. time 'and bother of painting every few years. and is available with a complete line of matching accessories. including shut- ters, fascia. downspouts, gutters. soffits and other solid vinyl trim to help reduce exterior maintenance. Springtime is caulking time pang is a good time to caulk outside. It's warm enough and yet not too hot. Caulk works test in moderate tempera- tures — from 50° to 110°F If colder. you should heat the caulk to get the right con- sistency for good application. For the same reason. if it's over 85°F. the caulk should he cooled. Most homeowners check around win- dow and door frames, joints where siding on corners meet each other or where sid- ing of house meets the foundation. even around the windoiw air conditioners. But sonic trouble spots arc hidden try the flower beds or tushes - the areas around plumping and exhaust pipes for example. Check these areas. See if there are obvi- ous cracks or spaces . . if the caulk crumbles to the touch. Scrape out the crumbling caulk and debris and wash the area carefully. Then wipe dry. Fig. 1. Screens are cleaned by hoeing washing with water or the brush attach- ment of a vacuum cleaner. Fig 2 'lb repair small boles and tears rea Igo the w re strands and dab the area w th clear fingernail polish or household cement. Fig. 3. Larger holes and tears are re- paired by trimming edges of damaged area and covering with a screen patch. Bent wires are fit through the screen and flattened back. Besides, window screens are more fre- quently damaged during installation, re- moval and storing. Also. screens provide at least some protection for the glass, which is much more costly to replace than screening. Generally. the only maintenance re- quired with year-round screening is to clean out the drainage holes at the alumi- num track bottoms, hose down (Fig. 1) or clean the aluminum screen cloth with wa- ter or brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner, and lightly oil the latchlocks and frame sides. Another type aluminum -framed insulat- ing door -screen system comes with glass and screen insert panels. The panels are interchangeable, depending on the season, and eliminate the drudgery of replacing entire framed units. So, if you are still using old-fashioned wood -framed semen doors and windows, now is the time to consider converting to all -aluminum, ideally in storm sash - screen combinations for long-term energy savings. Of course, all screens are susceptible to damage. especially full-length doors and patio slidin* door screening. But, again, there are quick -and -easy fix -it solutions to save both time and money. Repairing rips and tears To repair small holes and tears. use an awl, nail, ice pick or pencil point to re- align the strands (Fig. 2). Then dab the re - F g. 4. To rep ace screening in alumi- num frames, first remove the splines. paired area with several coatings of clear fingernail polish, model airplane glue or household glue. Larger rips, tears and holes are mended with screen patches available from most hardware stores. Always use the same screen material — aluminum screen cloth over aluminum screen cloth, for example — as that being repaired. First, trim the edges of the damaged area. Then cut a piece of screen patch of the same shape but slightly larger. Strip off O theCvco-o peratCE oi • Life • Home • Auto • Farm • Commercial CaII Verna Gingeritt6 374 Main St., Exeter Clinton Community Credit Union Office Residence 235-1100 Business Fashions for your Walls t‘. ikkftu 20%off a covering Book orders until April 11 Paint Dealer Painting Projects Now with Book Exterior Dave's Decor Exterior - Interior Painting & Papering Zurich 236-4941 several cross wires from each end and bend the wires at right angles (Fig. 3). Place the patch so the bent wires go through the screen being repaired. lastly. bend the protruding wires flat and dab the • repaired edges with clear fingernail polish or glue. If a screen is badly damaged or has be- come unsightly because of repeated patch- ing, it'll need replacing. The simplest solution is to take the screen, frame and all, to any hardware store offering screen replacement services. If you take pride in your fix -it abilities, you can save on installation costs by re- placing the screen yourself. Simply lay the frame on a flat, firm surface and proceed as follows: 1. Screening is held in place in metal framing with splines. With a screwdriver, pry up the spline at one corner, carefully pull it out of the groove (Fig. 4) and re- move the screen. 2. Center the replacement screen in the frame with I/2 -inch edges extending be- yond the inside frame edges. Press the spline back into place with a blunt -edge tool. 3. With the top and one side in place, pull the screen tatit, complete the splinting, and trim off any excess protruding beyond the spline. A final piece of advice concerns what to do with badly warped wood frames, rusty and bent metal frames. and rusty, tattered screening. Discard them and convert to aluminum screen cloth in lightweight, cor- rosion -free aluminum frames. Virtually all home improvement con- tractors will tell you it's the only way to go for good appearance, easy installation and low maintenance. Jim Becker Construction Dashwood, Ont, NOM 1NO 237-3526 Steel 5" seamless eavestrough Sales and installation - Aluminum Storm Doors & Windows - Aluminum Awnings & Porch Enclosures - Thermo replacement windows - New Homes - Renovations - Additions - Replacement Windows Free Estimates Aluminum & Vinyl Siding