Whether you’re screening a singular window or an entire porch, you know the process can be costly. That’s why it’s essential to protect your screens from damage and deter potential dangers to their structure so you can maintain the screen’s durability and enhance longevity. There are numerous ways to safeguard window screens from damage, but a straightforward system you probably didn’t even realize was helping may already be in place to protect the screens around your home: gutters!
Gutters direct rainwater away from your home’s siding and foundation while preventing mold, mildew, and water damage. However, their function does not stop at protecting the siding and foundation. The benefits extend to your screens as gutters can act as a barrier and redirector for potentially harmful debris that could compromise a screen. When it comes to screen impairment, the damage can fall on a large spectrum depending on the source of the injury itself.
What Causes Screen Damage?
Many things can cause screen damage that ranges from minor to severe. Depending on the seriousness of the damage, an injured or torn window screen could leave you searching for expensive replacements. Some of the top causes of screen damage are unavoidable, while some can be prevented with a few alterations to the exterior of your home.
(1)Weather:
Severe storms are a common culprit for broken and damaged screens. High winds can stir up debris like dirt, branches, rocks, and in extreme cases, heavy projectiles that might cause significant tears in your screen. Over time, the effects of ice, dirt, and minor weaknesses in the screen accumulate and become a major point of concern when looking at overall screen life. Deterioration happens quickly with each severe weather event.
Damaged Frames:
Tasked with upholding the structure of the screen and keeping it aligned, the screen’s frame needs to be sturdy and properly placed. Sometimes, frames may become bent at the expense of fallen tree limbs and other debris. Even if the screen is never touched by debris, its strength of it is likely to be compromised in the event of a damaged frame.
UV Rays:
In the same way that the sun’s rays are harmful to our skin, they are also harmful to our screens! Screens in the face of direct sunlight are most susceptible to UV damage. Over time, UV rays cause screens to warp and lose structural integrity.
Freezing Temperatures: Winter nights often bring freezing temperatures that freeze the material of your screens, making them brittle and prone to damage. Temperature fluctuation in the winter months is rough on screens, and it’s not a bad idea to consider replacing your screens in the spring.
Bugs and Insects:
Grasshoppers and wasps are among two insects that can chew their way through a screen with ease. If you find your screen laden with a few extra holes, you may want to check your home for some unwanted guests!
How Can Gutters Help?
While not all screen damage can be prevented, installing gutters can reduce the likelihood of some types of damage. They benefit your home’s siding and foundation and can be a barrier between your screen and harmful debris during severe weather events. In the event of a hurricane or tornado, branches and twigs that could destroy your screens are likely to, at least in part, collect in the gutters. Their collection function also protects your screens from being pelted with rainwater, which, over time, can contribute to premature wear and tear.
Gutters are the multifaceted protectors of your home. They collect and redirect all unwanted water and debris away from your house to prevent damage and keep you safe.
Source:
1 https://www.screenmobile.com/blog/common-causes-of-window-screen-damage/#:~:text=Branches%2C%20rocks%2C%20and%20dirt%20all,on%2C%20those%20dents%20add%20up.
