--- title: Window Screen & Repair Questions | A-Affordable Screen url: https://a-affordablescreen.com/faq/window-screens-and-repair/ business: A-Affordable Screen phone: (775) 240-0418 service_area: Reno-Sparks, Nevada hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm updated: 2026-10-21 --- Questions: Window screens & repair # Window screen and repair questions Most window screen problems come down to three things: the mesh, the spline that holds it, and whether the frame still fits the opening. Here are plain answers to the questions Reno-Sparks homeowners ask most about new screens and repairs. [Call (775) 240-0418](tel:+17752400418)[Free quote](https://a-affordablescreen.com/free-quote/) Questions by topic [Solar screens](https://a-affordablescreen.com/faq/solar-screens/)[Window screens & repair](https://a-affordablescreen.com/faq/window-screens-and-repair/)[Screen doors](https://a-affordablescreen.com/faq/screen-doors/)[Pricing & quotes](https://a-affordablescreen.com/faq/pricing-and-quotes/) Top answers - What is the standard window screen mesh? The most common insect mesh is fiberglass woven 18 by 16, meaning 18 strands per inch one way and 16 the other. - Why do my window screens keep falling out? Usually the screen is slightly undersized, the tension springs or clips are worn or missing, or the frame has bent. - We just bought a house with no screens. Can every window get one? Usually, yes. On this page - [Mesh and materials](#qg0) - [Problems, repairs and DIY](#qg1) - [Planning screens for your home](#qg2) ## Mesh and materials ### What is the standard window screen mesh? The most common insect mesh is fiberglass woven 18 by 16, meaning 18 strands per inch one way and 16 the other. It is flexible, does not dent and is easy to see through, which is why most new homes come with it. ### Is standard or pet-resistant mesh better? Standard fiberglass is flexible, will not dent and gives good visibility, which suits most homes. Where pets or kids push on the screen, heavier pet-resistant mesh is the tougher choice, with a little less view and airflow. ### What is spline, and why does it matter? Spline is the rubber cord pressed into a groove around the frame to lock the mesh in place. It comes in different diameters, and the wrong size lets the mesh pull out or makes it impossible to press in. Old spline can harden and shrink in the sun, which is often why mesh comes loose at one edge. When we rescreen, new mesh goes in with new spline, or the same spline reused if it is still good. ### Do window screens block light or the view? A little. Any mesh cuts some light and softens the view, and darker or heavier meshes do so more. Standard fiberglass insect mesh is a good balance for most windows. ### Will a window screen keep out wildfire smoke? No. Smoke particles are far too small for any insect screen to stop. Public health guidance, such as the AirNow wildfire factsheets, is to keep windows and doors closed on smoky days and use filtration indoors. ### Do window screens keep out pollen? Only a little. Standard insect mesh is sized to stop insects, and most pollen grains are much smaller than its openings. Closing windows on high-pollen days does more than any screen. Read more: [Screen mesh types](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/screen-mesh-types/) · [Mosquito season](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/mosquito-season-screens/) ## Problems, repairs and DIY ### Why do my window screens keep falling out? Usually the screen is slightly undersized, the tension springs or clips are worn or missing, or the frame has bent. Afternoon wind in the Reno-Sparks valley works a loose screen out of its opening over time. A screen built to the right size with the right hardware stays in. ### Why does my screen look wavy after I rescreened it myself? Waves usually mean the mesh was not held at even tension while it was rolled in, or the frame bowed inward as the mesh was pulled tight. Working one side at a time, keeping the mesh square and not over-tightening the corners prevents it. ### How do I clean window screens? Take the screens out, rinse them with a garden hose, and scrub gently with a soft brush and mild soap if they are dusty. Rinse again and let them dry before putting them back. Avoid pressure washers, which can stretch the mesh or blow it out of its frame groove. ### How do I take a window screen out? Most screens either have pull tabs you tug toward you, or tension springs on one side that you push against to free the other side. Some are held with small turn clips. Look closely at the edges before pulling so you do not bend the frame. ### Is rescreening worth it on an old frame? Yes, when the frame is straight, the corners are tight and it still fits snugly. Rescreening reuses the frame and usually costs less than a new screen. If the frame is bent or cracked, new mesh will not fix the fit. Read more: [Rescreen or replace](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/rescreen-or-replace/) · [DIY vs pro](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/diy-vs-pro-rescreening/) ## Planning screens for your home ### We just bought a house with no screens. Can every window get one? Usually, yes. Missing screens are common after a sale or a window replacement. Each window is measured on site, and new screens are built to fit, including windows that need an unusual size. ### Should I leave window screens in over the winter? Leaving them in is fine and keeps them from being lost or damaged in storage. Some people take screens off south-facing windows in winter to let in a little more sun, then put them back in spring. ### Are window screens strong enough to keep a child from falling? No. Screens are made to keep insects out, not to hold weight. On upper floors, use window stops or guards and keep furniture away from windows children can reach. Read more: [Custom window screens](https://a-affordablescreen.com/services/window-screens/) · [How to measure](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/how-to-measure-window-screens/) Keep reading ## Related pages - [Custom Window Screens](https://a-affordablescreen.com/services/window-screens/) - [Window Screen Repair & Rescreening](https://a-affordablescreen.com/services/screen-repair-rescreening/) - [Rescreen or replace a window screen?](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/rescreen-or-replace/) - [Screen mesh types: standard insect mesh vs pet mesh](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/screen-mesh-types/) - [How to measure a window screen (printable sheet)](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/how-to-measure-window-screens/) - [DIY rescreening vs hiring a pro](https://a-affordablescreen.com/guides/diy-vs-pro-rescreening/) Sources: [Efficient Windows Collaborative, Window Glossary](https://efficientwindows.org/glossary/) · [AirNow (EPA and partners), Wildfire Guide Factsheets](https://www.airnow.gov/wildfire-guide-factsheets/) · [NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Reno-Tahoe International Airport)](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/)