So, you’re in the market to DIY some new window screen
frames. You are looking for the best window screen frame at a budget-friendly
price. You will see a lot of terms like roll-form or coil form, extruded
aluminum, and window screen frame thickness sizes tossed around as you begin
browsing to search for what you need. Unfortunately, unless you are a
professional builder or interior decorator, you probably don’t often shop
regularly for windows and window screen frames, so you can find yourself in a
situation where you will have to research which is best and it can be very
overwhelming. Which one to choose? What’s the difference between the ones
marked as heavy-duty and those that aren’t? Does it matter if it’s heavy-duty
or not?
It does matter. When it comes to window screen frames, a
heavy-duty screen frame is the best choice for any window treatment project.
Let’s get into precisely why it’s always best to go heavy-duty when it comes to
your screen frames.
What’s the Difference Between Extruded Aluminum and Rolled?
On the very surface when you visually skim an aluminum
extruded or rolled frame, they often look alike. Outward, you may not see much
of a difference. However, it is often what is not seen on the surface.
A rolled aluminum screen frame commonly has two different
styles, box frame and lip frame. Roll-form is also a much thinner product,
roughly the thickness of the aluminum construction of a soda can. The roll form
screen frame is a lightweight and economical choice, yet it is much weaker than
extruded forms. Roll-form is created by taking a thin, flat piece of aluminum
stock and rolling it onto either a box shape or a lip frame and crimping the
edge to keep the shape. Rolled aluminum screen frames are a decent choice for
small windows and those wishing to own the most affordable option.
Roll-form is also much more easily prone to denting,
damages, and joints are often lapped (or overlapping) which results, frankly,
in a less than attractive appearance. Additionally, roll-form frames are more susceptible
to moisture infiltration and the finish is much less durable and fades or
chalks earlier than the finishes on extruded material.
Extruded aluminum or heavy-duty window screen frames are a
far better quality of material than roll-form. A heavy-duty
screen frame is roughly as thick as a quarter.
What Makes Extruded Aluminum Stronger?
Extruded aluminum is strong while still being lightweight.
Specialized machines can easily extrude aluminum into a limitless variety of
cross-sections which make the material perfect for window screen frames,
gutters, and other structures. Just how strong is extruded aluminum anyway? The
quickest answer is surprisingly heavy-duty strong.
Strength
Strength in heavy-duty window screens in this case means the
load the material can take before failing. This is called “tensile strength”
and it is expressed lbf/in², or MN/m2 in the metric system. When considering the
strength of aluminum, you’ll find that it relates to the material grade, with
some graders hardier than others. The second aspect of this strength is the
nature of the load, and this is where the shape is important. Some shapes are
stronger at holding applied loads much better than others. And lastly,
temperature plays a part in affecting material strength.
The Impact of Extruding
To produce a heavy-duty, aluminum extrusion, a billet of
heated aluminum is forced through a die. This creates massive work-hardening,
which is proportional to the reduction in an area, or the aluminum is hardened.
This creates a material that is tougher to bend, dent, or damage than roll-form
frames and creates a durable frame that can withstand much larger windows or
openings, such as porches or screen doors.
Why a Heavy Duty Screen Frame Is Best
A heavy-duty window screen is best for many fantastic
reasons. First, as we learned, in terms of both thickness and uniformity it is
of much higher quality than rolled form. Next, the resistance to being dented
or damaged means that during the worse storms, or even accidental bumps, your
heavy-duty aluminum screen frame will be able to withstand more.
In terms of the beautiful color and finish, heavy-duty
frames are less likely to sun-fade as fast as roll-form aluminum and outlast as
well as outperform the finished on thinner frames.
A heavy-duty frame is best for homeowners that want strong,
reliable, ultra-durable window screen frames that will perform and look
beautiful on their home for years to come.
I definitely learned something today! I know that we will have to think about this very soon so thank you for sharing!
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