Rescreening is a pain

[Mike S.]

This week I did some rescreening for the first time. I had looked at different websites for tips on how to do it but they weren't all that helpful. It seems that my problem is that I can't get the screen (fiberglass) as tight as what I think they should be. My screens from

20 years ago which are disintegrating are tighter than the ones I did.

Another problem is that the frames (aluminum, I think) seem a little fragile. Most of them are bent, warped, or bowed a little so I think that makes the rescreening more difficult. Unfortunately, there's not much I can do about that (don't ask).

Does it matter if the screens are not very tight? They're not loose and wavy, I guess they're somewhat snug. Does anyone have some tips on how to get them tighter without bending the frame?

[Edwin Pawlowski]

The bugs won't care.

[hallerb]

you can buy new frames with screens already installed if you wamt

[mrsgator88]

I like to do things myself, but for re-screening I just go to the local hardware store. They don't charge much and its done right.

S

[Mike S.]

It seems I've run into another problem. I've discovered that the new screen's mesh is 18x16 and the older one looks like it's 18x18. I think the new one is letting in more bugs, particularly those little tiny ones. But I can't be sure whether it's the new screen letting them in or if it's because the frames are warped which creates gaps big enough for bugs to get in. Any thoughts on this? It's annoying not being able to turn the lights on because of the bugs.

If it were up to me, I'd just buy new frames/screens but it's not my house and not my screens. It's actually my parents house and my father refuses to buy new frames. If I bought them and he found out, he'd have a huge temper tantrum. There's nothing like seeing a 50+ old man behaving like a child.

I can't fix the frames myself. Perhaps I should try temporarily taping up the gaps to see if the bugs still come in. I'll be glad when fall and winter get here.