Window Cleaning For Screen Burn: Important Facts To Know

Do you know what your window screens are made out of? If you have aluminum screens, you may experience screen burn on your windows. Fortunately, proper window cleaning (including window screen cleaning) can both prevent and help with screen burn. Here is what you need to know about how screen burn happens, the best strategies to prevent it, and how window cleaning can help with screen burn. Let’s get into it. 

What Is Screen Burn?

Not to be confused with screen burn-in on technological devices, screen burn refers to oxidized metal from aluminum screens transferring onto your windows and the appearance this oxidation takes. Screen burn can look like anything from water spots to a gray haze on your windows.

The Issue With Aluminum Screens

Many homeowners love aluminum screens for their durability. It’s true, if you’re going to buy something, you typically want to trust it to last. Aluminum screens are indeed less likely to rip or tear the way that fiberglass screens can. However, there’s the tradeoff of then having to deal with oxidation.

Aluminum oxidizes over time. What this means is that they can get a white, powdery substance on them. If you leave your window screens on year-round and/or you do not clean your screens regularly, this oxidation can then transfer onto the glass of your windows, such as by rain, snow, and wind. The oxidation can etch itself into the glass, ergo creating screen burn.

This metal oxidation doesn’t wash or scrape off. Your windows will need a special treatment in order to be restored to their original clarity and shine. Even after the aluminum screens are removed, the marks can remain. 

How To Avoid Screen Burn

There are a few different ways you can avoid dealing with this frustrating problem. 

• Store your window screens in the winter. You probably aren’t going to be opening your windows during the cold winter months anyway. Storing your screens can prevent oxidation from transferring onto the glass. Plus, it allows a bit more light into your home – and everyone needs as much sunlight as they can get during the shorter winter days.
• Have your windows cleaned regularly. Your local window cleaning professional will be able to provide you with advice on the optimal cleaning schedule for you, based on the conditions your windows face. Regular cleaning is key to prevent issues and to help your window screens last as long as possible.
• Use fiberglass screens. Fiberglass doesn’t oxidize the way aluminum does, so if you want to prevent screen burn, opting for fiberglass screens instead of aluminum is the best way to do so.

Prevention is everything. Once your windows have this problem, trying to remedy the issue can be very expensive – and may not even be effective. The last thing you want is to have to shell out the money for new windows just because you were trying to save money by avoiding window screen cleaning. 

Can Screen Burned Windows Be Restored?

This depends on the extent of the damage. Some windows may be restored, however, if restoration is attempted and you can still see screen burn, this likely means that it is permanent. In this case, the only way to get rid of the screen burn would be to replace the affected windows. 

Why Is Screen Burn Hard To Clean?

Screen burn is hard to clean for the same reason why window cleaning in general can be tricky. Glass may look smooth and solid, but it’s actually a porous surface. As such, when dirt, oxidation, and the like get on your windows, they can etch themselves into the glass. This is particularly the case with hard water stains, due to how the minerals can get into the pores of the glass.

If not addressed in a timely manner, the oxidation from aluminum screens builds up on the glass. As time passes, the harder and harder it will be to restore your windows. 

Prevent Window Problems With Above & Beyond Window Cleaning

The dedicated professionals here at Above & Beyond Window Cleaning are here to help you keep your windows in the best possible condition. We provide window cleaning services in and around Concord, MA, which includes window screen cleaning. We can also install fiberglass screens, if you would rather not run the risk of screen burn that aluminum screens present.

To learn more about the services we offer and what we can do to help you prevent or deal with screen burn, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.