At the height of summer, the only way to enjoy the evening breeze is to be seated behind window screens; otherwise mosquitoes and gnats will ruin your evening. Screens, especially on doors, are easy to rip, so it’s a good idea to know how to simply repair your screens so you can continue to enjoy summer breezes.

This is an easy task, and even the “unhandiest” can manage it. With a few simple materials, you can keep your screens repaired, no matter how many times kids or dogs go crashing through them. Most of these materials are probably already laying around the house: wood putty, brad nails,household cement and screening material and a few tools such as scissors, a screen rolling tool, a razor knife, a square, a stapler, a needles pliers, and 1X2 stock to stretch the screening and 1X4 stock for wedges.

A small hole in a screen is the easiest to repair with a patch. This will work with metal and fiberglass screens, whereas plastic screens will have to be replaced. Simply measure the hole and buy a screen patch or cut a patch from a roll of screening. For a small hole, you will need a patch a half inch larger than the hole, for a large whole, make the patch an inch larger. Unravel a few strands of screening around edge of the patch and interweave them with the screening by bending either by hand or with a needle nosed screwdriver.

Replacing the entire screen is also simple, but is done differently with a metal frame than with a wooden frame.

For a metal frame, place the entire screen on a surface large enough to support it. Remove the rubber edging and set aside and remove the old screening. You can save the screening for future use as patches. Measure the required amount of screening and cut a piece from the screening roll that is a little bit larger than the opening. Using the screen rolling tools, tighten the screening into groove and replace the rubber edging, working your way slowly around the window or door. After the screening is fitted in, cut off any excess Wit the razor knife and your screen window or door is ready to be installed.

For a wooden frame, you will need to use the 1X2 stocks that is slightly wider than the frame. Cut the new screening from the replacement roll, Wit sufficient excess. Staple the screening across the top edge of the window or door, and nail the bottom cleat to a bench and install the cleats. Roll the screening over the cleats and nail in place. Insert the wedges between the cleats and the screen frame and tap them until the screening is taut. Staple the screening in place every few inches. Trim excess and countersink the brads to the screen molding and fill the holes with wood putty. then staple the whole screen into place by working from the center brace out. When you remove the wedges, the screen should remain taut. Use the screen rolling tools to replace the screen moldings and then just sit back and admire your work!

There are many materials available for window hardware. Hardware can serve two important purposes: energy efficiency and interior design. In terms of design, you will be guided by your personal taste. The climate of your area may determine what kind of energy efficiency you will need to be concerned with. Wood is the most common type of window hardware and is has been in use for many years. It is easy to work with, both for professionals and amateurs. It is the material of choice if a project involves any kind of intricate carving or detail. It is almost always used in custom designed windows. You can paint or stain window hardware to almost any finish you want that will complement your home décor. Wood is also an excellent material for energy efficiency. However, wood does require maintenance over time. If you do not re-stain or re-paint your wood finishes periodically, the finish will start to peel. This not only looks awful, but the exposed wood will start to rot. However, if you keep up the maintenance by painting or staining regularly, wood lasts a very long time.

Steel window hardware is used on windows, but most often for basement windows. Sometimes you may find it in older homes; newer homes, with their energy efficiency requirements would not do well with steel. Both heat and cold can leak through steel window frames.It is a very strong material and so it is usually the choice for hurricane shutters. Steel also needs the regular maintenance of painting, or it will rust and eventually corrode. Aluminum window frames have the strength and durability of steel, but they do not have the maintenance requirements of steel window frames. The colors of aluminim frames are baked on, and so do not have to be repainted constantly. But it is an energy “leaker” just like steel is and will allow the heat from a home to escape. Vinyl has become the window hardware of choice lately. Vinyl is energy efficient and Vinyl window frames are just about maintenance free; they don’t need to be painted and a quick swipe with cleanser on a cloth will keep them looking like new. The color is put in the manufacturing process, so it will never peel or scratch and there is a wide variety of colors it is available in. Fiberglass is a material that is just recently being used as window frame material.

It has the properties of durability and energy efficiency since there is little to no heat loss if it is insulated properly. However, this perfect combination of factors does not come without a price: fiberglass is the most expensive material for window frames. If you are in a climate where it is extremely hot, you will want to choose a window frame material with a low “U” factor. This will keep the cool air in and the hot air out.

In a cold climate, you want to keep the heat in and cold out and you should choose a window frame that will do this. If you use energy efficient material and a lot of insulation, you should be able to do this. Insulated glass will add to the energy efficiency. They have two layers of glass with a gas between the layers that acts as an insulator. If you have to replace windows in a cold climate, you should think about this.

Another thing to consider when replacing windows is the architectural design of the house. Old fashioned wood windows would not completely modern contemporary designed home.

With so many different window treatment options available, it’s easy to become confused. But different treatments excel at different aspects of functionality. Knowing which window treatment is right for your needs can save time, money and frustration.

There are three major functions that window treatments can perform. They are privacy, light control, and decor. Very few will perform well in all three areas, so it’s important to priorities which functions are most important to you.

Privacy protection

Privacy is obviously important, especially for windows in the front of your home that probably face a street or other public throughway’s. Windows facing more private areas of a fenced yard, on the other hand might not need to provide much in the way of privacy.

Several window treatment designs can provide privacy. Blinds or thick curtains most notably, but privacy can also be attained with use of window frostings or diffusers. These will however obstruct your view of the great outdoors.

Light control

Sunlight and glare needs to be controlled in the bedroom if sleeping comfort is interrupted by light entering through the windows. In a room where sunlight will interfere with TV watching or computer use needs window treatments that are effective in light control too.

Any room with items that can be damaged by the suns UV rays need window treatments that are good at controlling light. Any kind of artwork, antiques, or photographs can benefit from this protection. Even carpeting and hardwood flooring can be damaged by the suns UV rays. Consider this when deciding on a window treatment type for any particular window.

Window tinting can be very effective at blocking UV rays. Other than that, window treatments that open and close easily are preferred – blinds, curtains etc. excel here.

Complementing the rooms decor

The decor of window treatments in any given room is more important to some of us than to others. If decor is not an issue for you, then some simple window blinds are inexpensive and effective at the other two criteria.

If decor is more important to you, then you can have your work cut out for you depending on taste. Curtains are available in almost any pattern and color of material. A little sewing experience can make a DIY curtain project a breeze, or perhaps you know someone who is willing to sew curtains to your specifications, using our preferred material.

Window treatments aren’t just for decoration, light control, or privacy, but some level of all three. Depending on what is important to you for any given window in a room, you can now easily decide which type is best for you.