Your window screens are the most neglected part of your home's exterior. They sit in place for years, collecting pollen, dust, pet hair, cobwebs, and insect residue — and most homeowners never clean them. The result: dirty screens reduce airflow by 30-50%, filter dust onto the glass every time wind blows, and make freshly cleaned windows look dirty within weeks.
Why Dirty Screens Ruin Clean Windows
Here's the cycle that frustrates homeowners: you clean your windows (or pay a pro to clean them), they look amazing for a week, then a thin film reappears. The culprit? Your dirty screens. Every breeze pushes air through the screen mesh, and the dust, pollen, and particulates trapped in that mesh get deposited onto the glass behind it. It's like having a dirty air filter in front of clean glass — the filter contaminates the glass constantly.
This is why MANTLE includes screen cleaning in every window cleaning quote at no extra charge. It makes no sense to clean the glass and leave the dust filter dirty — you'd need another cleaning within weeks.
Screen Mesh Types
| Type | Cost/Screen | Lifespan | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard fibreglass | $15-$25 | 5-8 years | Most homes. Affordable, easy to replace. Comes in charcoal (best visibility) or silver. |
| Pet-resistant | $25-$35 | 8-12 years | Cat/dog owners. Heavier gauge resists claws. Won't tear from pets leaning on screens. |
| No-See-Um (fine mesh) | $30-$40 | 5-8 years | Blocks tiny insects (midges, no-see-ums). Slightly reduces airflow. Good for homes near ravines/water. |
| Solar/sun-blocking | $25-$35 | 8-10 years | Reduces solar heat gain 30-50%. Dark from outside, visible from inside. South/west-facing windows. |
| Aluminum | $20-$30 | 10-15 years | Most durable. Resists tears/dents. Slightly more visible than fibreglass. Good for ground-floor security. |
When to Replace vs Clean
- Clean: Screen is dusty, has cobwebs, or has light pollen buildup. Mesh is intact with no tears, holes, or sagging. Frame is straight with no bends. Spline (the rubber cord holding mesh in frame) is still seated properly.
- Replace mesh: Visible tears or holes (even small ones — mosquitoes get through 1mm gaps). Mesh is stretched, sagging, or pulling away from frame. Mesh has turned brittle and crumbles when touched (UV degradation, common after 8+ years). Pet damage — scratches, pushed-out sections.
- Replace entire screen (frame + mesh): Frame is bent, cracked, or corroded. Corners are separated. Frame no longer fits window properly (warped). Screen is 15+ years old with multiple repairs.
Toronto Screen Timeline
- April: Install screens (if you removed them for winter). Clean before installing — they've been in the basement collecting dust.
- June: Peak pollen season. Screens need cleaning if you're near trees. Hosing down screens from the outside takes 2 minutes per screen.
- September: Remove screens for fall/winter (optional but recommended). Clean before storage. Inspect for tears from summer use. Store flat, not leaned against walls (bends frames).
- Year-round: If you leave screens in year-round (most Toronto homeowners do), clean at minimum with your spring and fall window cleaning.
Screen Cleaning Included — Always
Every MANTLE window cleaning includes screen removal, cleaning, inspection, and reinstallation. No extra charge.
Get Free Estimate →Window Tinting · Skylight Cleaning · Window Cleaning · All Posts