Summer Bugs Getting In? Your Window Screens Might Need Attention
It’s the middle of summer. You open your windows to let in the breeze — and five minutes later, the mosquitoes are already inside. Sound familiar?
Most clients assume the problem is the window. It’s not. Nine times out of ten, it’s the screen.
A damaged, ill-fitting, or missing window screen is one of the most overlooked home maintenance issues in Ontario and Calgary — and it costs you more than just a few bug bites.
What Happens When Your Window Screens Are Damaged
Window screens do more than keep bugs out. A properly fitted screen:
- Blocks insects, mosquitoes, and airborne pollen
- Allows airflow without exposing your home to the elements
- Acts as a first barrier against small animals and debris
- Helps regulate indoor temperature and air quality
When a screen is torn, bent, or missing — even a small gap is enough. And in the summer months in Ontario and Calgary, that gap is an open invitation.
The Questions We Hear Most at Our Service Centres
Can you just patch my screen or does it need to be fully replaced? It depends on the size and location of the damage. Small tears in the mesh can sometimes be repaired. But if the frame is bent, the spline is loose, or the damage is in a corner — a full replacement gives you a better result and lasts longer. Our Glass Experts will assess it and give you an honest recommendation.
My screen looks fine but bugs still get in — why? Even a screen that looks intact can have gaps around the edges if the frame has warped slightly or the spline has dried out and pulled away from the frame. It only takes a few millimetres. We see this constantly in homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Do you do custom sizes? My windows aren’t standard. Yes. We cut and fit screens to your exact window measurements at all of our Service Centres — Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Woodstock, and Calgary. Standard sizing is rarely the answer for older homes.
How long does a screen replacement take? Most screen replacements are completed the same day. Bring your frames in or have our Glass Experts visit your home — we’ll get it done fast and done right.
Can screens keep mice and squirrels out too? Standard fibreglass mesh won’t stop a determined rodent. If you’re dealing with wildlife attempting to enter through screens, we recommend a heavier gauge metal mesh. Our Glass Experts will advise on the right option for your situation.
Summer Is the Easy Part — Fall Is When It Gets Serious
Here’s what most clients don’t think about in July: animals.
As temperatures start to drop in late August and September, small animals — mice, squirrels, even raccoons — begin looking for warm places to spend the winter. A torn screen isn’t just a bug problem in the summer. It becomes an entry point for wildlife in the fall.
Fixing your screens now, while the weather is warm and the work is easy, is the smartest move you can make before the season changes. Our Glass Experts recommend a full screen check before the end of August.
Signs It’s Time to Call Your Glass Expert
- You can see light through the mesh or around the frame edges
- The frame is bent or doesn’t sit flush in the window
- The mesh has holes, tears, or sagging sections
- Bugs are getting in even with the window partially closed
- Your screen is missing entirely from one or more windows
- The spline around the edge is cracked, shrunken, or falling out
What All-Brite Glass & Tint Does for Window Screens
At All-Brite Glass & Tint, our Glass Experts handle screen repair and replacement for residential and commercial properties across Ontario and Calgary:
- Repair or replace damaged mesh and frames
- Cut custom screens to fit any window size
- Install heavy-duty mesh for wildlife protection
- Serve clients at all five Service Centres or at your home
This is the kind of job that takes less than a day and makes a real difference — not just for the rest of summer, but heading into fall.
Reserve Your Appointment
Don’t wait until the mosquitoes take over or the first cold snap arrives. Our Glass Experts are ready to assess your screens and get them sorted — fast, clean, and done right.
Call 1 (877) 776-6996 or visit allbriteglass.ca to reserve your appointment Kitchener · Waterloo · Guelph · Woodstock · Calgary
Frequently Asked Questions — Window Screens
How much does it cost to replace a window screen? The total investment depends on the size of the screen and whether you need a standard or custom fit. Contact your nearest Service Centre and our Glass Experts will provide an accurate quote based on your specific windows.
Can I bring my screen frame in or does someone come to me? Both options are available. You can drop your frames off at any of our Service Centres, or we can arrange a home visit. Our Glass Experts will advise on the fastest option for your situation.
What’s the difference between fibreglass and aluminum screen mesh? Fibreglass mesh is the most common option — flexible, rust-resistant, and effective for insects. Aluminum mesh is more durable and better suited for high-traffic windows or where added strength is needed. Our Glass Experts will recommend the right option.
Do you replace screens in apartments or condos? Yes. Whether you own or rent (with landlord approval), we can help with screen repair and replacement for any residential or commercial property at all of our locations.
How do I know if my screen frame needs to be replaced or just the mesh? If the frame is straight, intact, and fits your window properly — a mesh replacement is usually sufficient. If the frame is bent, corroded, or has lost its shape — a full replacement gives you a better result. Our Glass Experts will check both when you bring it in.
Do you make screens for doors as well as windows? Yes. We handle screen doors and window screens for all residential and commercial properties. If you have a custom size or a door that needs a new screen frame, our Glass Experts can cut and fit it to your exact measurements.
Written by Jordan Aivaliotis, Glass Expert — Home & Business, All-Brite Glass & Tint Jordan leads All-Brite’s Home & Business division, working with property owners across Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Woodstock, and Calgary on everything from window screens to full custom glass installs. His take on screens: it’s the smallest, cheapest job on the list — until it’s the reason wildlife gets into your attic in October.
All-Brite Glass & Tint — Trusted Since 1992. Fast, Safe, Reliable.