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While sometimes used interchangeably, screen doors and storm doors have key differences. Screen doors are simple structures, typically composed of just a frame and a screen, designed to keep out bugs while allowing air circulation. In contrast, storm doors are heavier and more complex, built to protect your home's main entry door from weather and intruders. They usually feature an aluminum frame with interchangeable tempered glass and screen panels, allowing you to switch between ventilation and insulation. A storm door offers more protection and versatility but generally costs more than a basic screen door.

The screen material you choose depends on your needs. Here are some differences to consider:

• Fiberglass is the least expensive but needs replacing more often.

• Aluminum suits almost any job and doesn’t stretch as easily as fiberglass. 

• Pet-resistant screens are more expensive than fiberglass or aluminum, but they’re also wind and weather-resistant. 

• Metal screens, like stainless steel, are the most expensive material for rescreening your porch or sunroom. However, they last for years and are golf ball-resistant.  

Window seals don’t last forever, so they’ll inevitably fail for one reason or another. One of the most common reasons is the expansion and contraction of the glass. When the glass gets warm from sunlight, it expands and adds pressure to the seal; at night, as the glass cools, it contracts. This process, day in and day out, can eventually cause the seal to fail. Other common sources of failure include the house settling over time, chemicals that damage the seal when repainting windows, and incorrect window installation.

Yes, you can fix windows without replacing them. However, this will depend on the severity of the issue and what your needs are. Minor water damage, broken glass, damaged casing, and worn caulking are usually easy repairs. But if there is excessive damage, the windows are constantly foggy, or the windows are very old, it’s best to consider replacing them. Replacement windows cost between $575 and $1,475 per window, or an average of $850 per window.