Vinyl replacement window screens

[JHZR2]

I think that replacement windows are one of the biggest ripoffs on the public that Ive seen.

I hate them, especially in old homes where beautiful double hung windows with sash weights got pulled out and an ugly plastic window got put in its place. To add insult to injury, the plastic windows allow for less glass space than the original.

A good commentary is from Bob Yapp, here:
http://www.bobyapp.com/blog/2012/01/disposable-replacement-windows-are-a-scam

Anyway, the previous owner did replace all but a few very large windows and a stained glass with vinyl windows.

They look marginally OK (though real windows with screens/storms would have looked better, especially inside the house where the windows were exposed wood like the trim), work OK, but they have half screens - what a waste!

Half screens are another bogus idea put on the public. Maybe in FL or TX or some other inhospitable place, they are OK because everyone runs AC. I like fresh air via open windows... Therein lies the problem.

The stupid half screens are hardly better than no screens. All kinds of bugs, even bigger moths find there way in between the two window panes and get right in.

It is a hassle to use something like AC window unit foam in the gaps, because then it is tougher to close all the windows quick.

It does not look like there are any good ways to pull the screens out of our windows. But Im curious if anyone has made replacement framed screens for vinyl windows and actually installed them into the track for the screen successfully.

Any recommendations on how to best go about this?

Thanks!

 

[JHZR2]

BTW, Our screens are not "fastened" in, rather they sit in a little track so they can go up and down... Adding to the complexity I think...

 

[Pop_Rivit]

The problem is that most people don't consider the average older house "historic" just because of it's age. If you have windows that have been replaced with those tacky sash kits, and you believe your house really is a historic property, then do it right. There are plenty of historic preservationists like Bob Yapp to do phenomenal work, and can remove those cheesy plastic windows and find/restore/install correct period windows, then you can install your window air conditioner.

Although personally, I've never understood how air conditioners hanging out of windows makes a house, especially an older home, look any less tacky than plastic windows. Whenever I see one I'm automatically reminded of a trailer park, and I wonder why someone would have a nice, older home with an air conditioner looking like a giant pimple on a beautiful lady's face.

On a side note, Bob Yapp consulted with us on one of the houses we restored about 20 years ago. He's one of the nicest, down to earth people I've ever met and truly has a passion for preserving historic properties.

 

[JHZR2]

Yep, which is why we don't have ACs in view, and are working to have out of sight zonable AC... But that is irrelevant to this discussion, because on nall but a handful of days, we dont even need AC, and want functioning windows that we can open at the top and bottom. Whether a home is "historic" or not, that plastic stuff looks like garbage and doesn't fit with the decor of the house or the interior trim around the windows.

And half screens are virtually worthless which was the main intent of the post.

So, does anyone have constructive suggestions on replacing screens?