Window screen purpose (installed, cleaning, basement, outside)

[roodd279]

OP must live in a "warm" state. A/C isn't ubiquitous in the northern half of the US - the work around is open windows, screens, and possibly electric fans. Screens keep the bugs out and the cats in.


In winter, we remove the screens, as there is no reason for them, and the ice can damage them - in the "old days" we removed the screens and put in the "storm windows" for the winter - a second pane of glass. Don't see that much anymore.

[Flamingo13]

I don't understand removing screens in the winter so they don't get damaged - aren't they INSIDE? The glass window is exposed to ice, etc. but a screen isn't.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

I don't understand removing screens in the winter so they don't get damaged - aren't they INSIDE? The glass window is exposed to ice, etc. but a screen isn't.

Depends on the window. On older houses you may have to take off the screens to install the storm windows, as previously mentioned.

My house, which is over 100 years old, still has the brackets on the exterior frames to do that although the screens and windows were long gone when we bought the house in the 1980's.

[rabbit33]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

I don't understand removing screens in the winter so they don't get damaged - aren't they INSIDE? The glass window is exposed to ice, etc. but a screen isn't.

Casement windows that swing out typically have the screens on the inside. Double hung windows have the screens on the outside.

Me, I'd rather have the dirty dusty screens on the outside.

[roodd279]

aren't they INSIDE?


Uh, no, the screens are nearly always on the outside. Otherwise - think about it - how would you open the window??


Ok, so the "cranky handle" kind of window - the window itself angles out when it opens - THOSE screens are indeed on the inside.


But 99% of other windows slide vertically up/down, by hand. The window lock is inside. The screen is outside.

[rokuremote]

Originally Posted by roodd279

aren't they INSIDE?


Uh, no, the screens are nearly always on the outside. Otherwise - think about it - how would you open the window??


Ok, so the "cranky handle" kind of window - the window itself angles out when it opens - THOSE screens are indeed on the inside.


But 99% of other windows slide vertically up/down, by hand. The window lock is inside. The screen is outside.

There are a lot more than 1% of other styles of windows.

[mic111]

Screens are important, especially while you sleep, so that a bat doesn't fly in. Having had a great aunt who died from rabies due to a bat flying into the house I always think of this.

[svband76]

Trapping pollen. Keeping bats out. Someone really needs to know about screens?

[clevergirl67]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

More pragmatically, if you have a mower that throws rocks, the screen prevents the window glass from breaking.

The only thing that's going to keep a window from breaking if something hits it, is something like 3M film.

[roodd279]

Well - I confess I don't know the percent - but the great majority of US homes are fitted with mainly single- or double-hung windows, and the screen is on the outside. Picture windows don't count, as they don't open. Casement windows (cranky handle) are common...in one room of the house or two, but not ALL the windows. Sliding doors (windows) ALSO have the screen OUTSIDE.


Does a screen stop a lawnmower rock? No. But it stops birds. Tennis balls? Usually. Golf balls? Nope. Most window screens are some distance from the glass, an inch or three, sometimes more. If it doesn't break the screen, it won't hurt the glass, obviously. Can it stop hail? Absolutely. Always? Of course not. Wind plays a role here.