Tips for Keeping Your Screens Looking New

Have you ever driven by a really cool looking bungalow or ranch style home that has a large screened porch on the front but the screens look almost black? They did not look that way when they were installed, but have accumulated dirt and grime over time. Not only do dirty screens look bad, but they do not allow the breeze to pass through like clean ones do. Moreover, for people with pollen allergies, screens full of pollen can even present some health issues. Giving your screens a good cleaning at least once a year will keep them in great shape and twice a year will keep them looking new. It is easy to do and well worth your time.

Assess the Level of Dirt

If you clean the screens regularly, you will probably not even need to remove them from the windows. First, take a few minutes and assess how much dirt and grime are present. If you take a close look, you’ll notice the grime buildup, and if you run across them with a white cloth, you’ll soon know what you are dealing with.

A little loose Dirt

If the screens appear only a little dirty and the dirt appears loose, a little time with a lint brush will likely do the job. Use one of those roller type brushes with the sticky paper. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how easy it is just to roll the loose dirt and grime away. If you’ve taken the time to remove the screens (and you probably should) make certain you roll on both sides.

A lot of loose Dirt and Grime

If it has been a while since the last cleaning, then a vacuum hose with the brush attachment is going to be needed. Be sure and use only a soft brush attachment to avoid tearing or damaging your dirty screens. Simply run the brush lightly across both sides of the screen until the dirt, dust, and loose grime is gone.

Caked-on dirt and Grime

If you live in an area where there is a lot of dirt and sand on the ground, your screens can get really dirty, and this is where a good washing will be required. First, take a garden hose and wet the screens down from both sides. Next, mix a solution of two tablespoons of dish soap or vinegar with a gallon of warm water. Dip a soft rag in the solution and scrub both sides until the dirt and grime starts coming off. Be sure and rinse the rag in between applications. You’ll be amazed at how filthy the rag will get. Finally, rinse the screens with a garden hose on both sides and stand them against the house or a tree so they’ll get good and dry before you put them back in the windows.

Hopeless looking Dirty Screens

If your screens have never been cleaned, and they look like the mud and dirt have been marinating on them for a century, it is time to take a brush to them using the soap and water solution. Remember, the screens may be fragile, so don’t scrub them like you would your car tires, you need to use a little tenderness, so you do not damage them or pull the screen away from the frames. This may even call for a pressure washer, but use the lightest setting, so you do not blast your screens off the frames.

A screened porch offers a great setting when the weather is nice, and the breeze is coming in. They keep out the bugs that like to visit in the evening, and they allow the outside in. Screens get dirty and need a little only a little attention so they’ll continue to protect your open spaces year after year.

Check us out at www.screenmobile-twincities.com

Golf Balls go far and Break Things

Even if you do not play golf, there’s a lot to be said about owning a home on a golf course. The neighborhoods are generally well kept and quiet, and your backyard is as green as green can be. Most golf communities also have a pool and tennis courts to keep little kids busy and a bar or a restaurant for the bigger kids when not on the golf course.

You know what the downside can be so I’ll just go ahead and say it; “Golf balls go far and break things.” Like when you are sitting on the porch and enjoying the breeze, and that little round missile comes through your screen and breaks your favorite lamp. How about when you are watering the plants on Monday morning, and you notice about fourteen rips in the screen around the pool? Yes, there are ways to eliminate the damage caused by golfers with a wicked slice!

Protection Can Look Great

Golf ball protection screens are made to keep those missiles out and let the cool breezes in. These protective screens are made using very strong extruded aluminum frames that are covered with super strong vinyl coated polyester screen. These defenders can be mounted on an existing patio or can be erected freestanding away from your home. Your home gets the protection it needs from a weekend golfer’s wicked slice and your home remains as beautiful as ever.

Custom Protection for Your Custom Home

Since we all have different tastes in home design, most neighborhoods have many different styles of homes on every block. Fortunately, these protection screens can be custom built to meet the needs of every style of home. Moreover, depending on where your home is on the golf course, your needs will vary as the balls fly. To get your protection in right place these screens can be custom built and installed:

• Replacing your existing screens with the stronger vinyl coated polyester screen.
• Installing free standing screens in strategic areas where the balls usually fly.
• Extra protection from clear memory vinyl panels that can be mounted on the porch.

Certainly, every homeowner on a golf course wants protection from errant golf shots, but at the same time, no one wants their home to look like a fortress. The easy answer is to protect those areas under attack by using the stronger screen material provided by the folks at Screenmobile of Twin Cities. These guys know how to stop golf balls and still keep your home as beautiful as ever. Call for a free estimate (763) 473-0180 or visit them at Screenmobile-TwinCities.com.

Winterizing Your Window and Door Screens

If you are worried about the increasing heating bills that you will encounter during the winter season, then there are many ways you can prevent the cool breeze from entering your toasty-warm home. It is very important for you to keep your doors and windows airtight so that the cool winter breeze is left outdoors where it belongs.

There is no doubt that dual pane window insulation will help in keeping the heat inside during the winter months. However, what do you do if you have “classic windows” and do not want to replace them? Well, if replacing old historic windows is not your cup of tea, and money is tight, then you can try out some of the tips below to winterize your windows and doors.  

Inspection of Doors and Windows

Before winter sets in, it is time for you to carry out a thorough inspection of the doors and the windows in your home. You should check for any noticeable and wide cracks in the windowpanes. It is also important for you to make sure that all the doors of your home close properly. If not, get them patched up, or replaced before the winter sets in. If you have a feeling that certain rooms have drafts, then you can examine this pretty easily. Light a long candle and hold it up to the level of your door or window. If you see the candle light flickering towards you, there might be a draft in the room.

How to Winterize Doors

If you have doors that open to the outside, then you will be letting out the heat in the room every time you open and close that door. So, make sure you only open doors when it is necessary. You can install storm doors in your home for the screen doors, and this will help in keeping the heat in the room and keep the winter out. If there are gaps around your doors, then you need to add a weather strip to keep the heat inside the home. You can pick up weatherstrips from any local hardware store, and installation is very easy.

How to Winterize Windows

The majority of heat inside your home escapes out through the windows. The following are a few tips to keep the heat in and to not let dollars fly right out through the windows.

• If you have the budget, try to replace the window screens in your home with glass panes. This will help the insulation in your home.
• If you detect any cracks in the windows, you can apply caulk on the outside of the windows with the help of a caulking gun. This will prevent entry of cool wind.
• You can also install thermal curtains on the main windows of your home. Keep the curtains open during the sunny winter days to let the sun warm your home. Make sure you close it at night to prevent the heat from escaping.

How to Winterize Porches

Many people believe that their beautiful porches become wasted space during the winter season, but that does not have to be the case. Not only can you continue to use your porch when it is cold outside, but you can also make the necessary changes at a very reasonable price:

• Winter Porch Panels are a very reasonable answer to keeping your porch space warm and dry. Simply install when the weather gets cold and wet, then remove and store during the warm summer months. Panels are available in glass or clear acrylic and will allow you to take advantage of your porch space year round.

• Roll-Up PVC Panels are another option and simple to install. The lightweight panels are mounted with Velcro to create a seal in every opening. Simply roll them up and store during the warmer months.

• Acrylic Panels are the better choice when it comes to winterizing your porch and are durable enough to use year after year. They will not crack like plexiglass and are perfect for keeping your porch dry when the wind kicks up during the winter.

Hopefully, you’ll take advantage of these great tips for winterizing your windows and doors and realize the savings on your heating bills. If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, call the experts at SCREENMOBILE for a free estimate at (763) 473-0180 or contact us at www.screenmobile-twincities.com.