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Window Screen Spline Types, Removal, and Installation Explained

You know that screen spline is used for window screens to keep the material tightly in place. It’s a rubbery-like structure that is pressed into a window screen frame’s grooves. However, did you know that there are several different types of spline used for different screens? Flat, serrated, and foam core screen spline each offer specific benefits for residential and commercial needs. When shopping for spline, how do you know which type is right for you? How do you install it? Use this guide to help make you screen spline buying and installing quick and easy.

Flat Screen Spline

Made of solid core vinyl, flat screen spline is great for applications where you need durability. This type of spline is designed to withstand the elements without rotting. Many homeowners and professional screeners use this spline on screened-in patios, porches, and household windows.

Serrated Screen Spline

This type of spline features hollow core vinyl, which is great for re-screening, repair jobs, and new builds. This type of spline can be used for indoor applications in the rooms of your home or in businesses.

Foam Core Screen Spline

Foam core screen spline offers more flexibility and resilience in comparison to vinyl spline. Because of this, it is an ideal option when you need a little more give when rolling in spline for a unique window screen. If your measurements are slightly off, the foam core screen spline will still be able to work.

Ordering and Using Screen Spline

When ordering window screen spline, you’ll first need to know the measurements of the spline groove of your frames. Once you have this measurement, choose a screen spline with the same width of the window frame. This is key for successful installation! Otherwise, the spline may be too narrow or wide for the required snug fit.

Screen spline is typically sold by the foot, with options ranging from 100 feet upwards of 500 feet for commercial screening businesses. The everyday homeowner should be fine with a 100 foot roll, which leaves extra spline for future repairs. However, for business owners, the larger rolls are needed. Where a residence may only need one type and size of spline, professional screeners need an array of spline options on hand to successfully carry out different types of jobs for home owners and businesses.

When to Replace Window Screen Spline

While good quality window screen spline is designed to last for years, sometimes the elements can really take a toll on how long your spline will realistically last. Spline rot can happen when you have splines that are made with low quality materials. Rubber is a natural material that is vulnerable to the fungus that causes dry rot. Other things like extreme temperatures, UV rays, oxidation, and ozone can affect the integrity of your window screen spline.

If your spline is dry rotted or melted, it will need to be replaced to keep your window frames functional. To replace it, locate the spline end first. This is thicker at the edge, making it easier to identity. With a screwdriver, pry the spline up out of the groove and push out at least 20 inches so that you may easily pull the rest of the spline out. It’s crucial that you do this with the utmost care, as the spline can crack into pieces. If it is melted, you may not be able to remove the spline. Hopefully, it is only melted in a few spots and you can still carefully pry it out. In some cases, you will need to totally replace your window screen frames.

How to Install Screen Spline

For this task, you’ll need a spline roller tool and utility knife.

  1. Choose a corner of your screen frame to start with. With the spline roller tool, press the spline’s end into the corner.
  2. Use the roller to continue pressing the spline into the groove, working your way down the sides of the frame. Move in one direction only. Try to keep the spline tight by gently pulling on the edge of the loose screen ahead of the roller tool.
  3. In each of the corners, ensure the spline is deeply seated into the grooves with a screwdriver.
  4. Once you’ve installed the spline all around the frame, use a utility knife to cut the spline and then press the end into the groove to complete the installation process.
  5. Trim the screen if needed.

Now that you know what the different types of screen spline are, how to order it for your needs, and how to remove and install it, you’re much more prepared to repair and assemble screens without the need of a professional screener!

The Versatile Sheepskin Rug

Sheepskin Rugs

Add a touch of tradition or a stylish centerpiece with sheepskin rugs. An ideal choice for many styles, these rugs are warm, elegant, and versatile. Whether draped across a living room sofa, lain at the foot of a bed, or used as a backing on a rocker, the iconic look and feel of sheepskin provide a distinctive and instantly-recognizable focal point in any room.

With a softer-than-a-cloud feel and a thick, gorgeous texture, this material provides a natural alternative to synthetic fibers, whilst adding the unmistakable touch of luxury. These rugs can serve as affordable, long-lasting centerpieces, but can also take a backseat role in adding coziness and comfort and accentuating your existing furnishings.

A stunning array of color options allows for variety and flexibility in placement. Natural hues such as whites, browns, and blacks complement a room’s neutral palette or enhance rustic vibes, whilst trendier colors such as rose, lilac, and champagne imbue a space with a unique and modern twist. Numerous size options increase the versatility of these rugs, allowing them to be used for a variety of purposes. Due to their versatility, they also pair well with a variety of other furnishings, making them a good option for redecoration projects. Use them to add a new pop of color or a unique counterpoint to one of your rooms today.

In place of area rugs, sheepskin rugs help prevent the loss of heat through floors, aiding your budget and providing you with an eco-friendly option! This hypoallergenic material has a myriad of scientifically proven health benefits. It aids in regulating body temperature, maintaining healthy skin, and provides a natural bacterial repellent. It also contains natural lanolin. Lanolin gives sheepskin water-resistant properties, protecting it against spills and increasing its natural durability for greater cost-effectiveness compared to synthetic alternatives.

Care is a snap, much simpler and easier than the treatments synthetic rugs require. When accidents happen, sheepskin rugs can be hand-washed, dry-cleaned, or washed on the wool cycle in a regular washer. With regular simple and easy care, their natural thickness and durability help them to outlast synthetic alternatives, further increasing their cost-efficacy.

Find joy in using these rugs as blankets and curling up under one on a cold winter evening in front of the fire. Natural materials such as sheepskin have been scientifically proven to enhance sleep. They can also be used as classy wall hangings to add flair and a sense of drama, whilst complementing your personal taste and style. Their warmth, softness, and stunning texture are unparalleled among both natural and synthetic alternatives. Invest today in a well-made, authentic rug that will lend you an iconic look, stand the test of time, and serve you for years to come. Visit City Cows website for more information.

Things to consider before buying a home

Where Should You Buy Your Next Home?

The process of finding your dream home doesn’t have to be a frustrating one. If you don’t know what you want, your real estate agent can help you narrow down your must-haves to ensure that you find a property that you are going to love living in. What are some of the things that you should think about when trying to find your home?

The first question that you need to ask is how much you want to spend. When taking this into consideration, keep in mind that taxes could cause one $200,000 house to cost $1,000 a month and another $200,000 house to cost $1,400 a month. You also need to consider whether you need to pay mortgage insurance because you don’t have a 20 percent down payment or because your credit score isn’t good.

Other issues that you should consider include how many rooms you need, how much square footage your home should have and whether or not you need a large yard. If you want more space, you should look to rural areas while city living is encouraged if you want to be closer to nightlife and other entertainment options.

Finally, you should take a look at where your kids will be going to school if you buy a specific property. If you don’t have kids, it may not be a good idea to buy a house in a good school district because your taxes may be higher.