More about my Pella Rolscreen issues by: Shelli (North Carolina)
I finally got the kahunas to take apart the top of my Pella Rolscreen hideaway door - the roller housing. I'd submitted here before, the right side of the screen was ripping upon sliding up/down. Looks like the screen itself is on the roller crooked, and too close to one end of the roll - the right side - so it's catching on a metal edge and shredding. I don't think it will be impossible for me to fix but I have a few questions:
1. The bottom of the screen is attached to a flat, gray piece of rubber - as if it's fused with it. That rubber then fits in a groove - like spline. If I replace the screen itself, how/where do I get this kind of attachment - the current one is torn at one end, and it looks to be attached permanently.
2. The roll appears to be just a fraction too short and on that right side, it easily slips out of the hole it's meant to be in. Not sure what to do about that.
3. How do I get the tension back in the roller, so when you pull the glass half up, the screen rolls up?
Help?
May 31, 2011 Rating
Pella Rolscreens by: Richard Ban
I am also interested in repairing my 1920's "Rolscreens." Based upon internet searching today however, it seems unlikely. Is there a way? Does anybody have step by step instructions on replacing the screens? This can't be that complicated.
Thanks,
Richard Ban
Detroit, Michigan
Apr 29, 2011 Rating
Pella Rolscreen - Designer Series Casement Window by: Renee M
We recently purchased a house that has Pella Designer Series Casement windows that we thought were great because the blinds are inside the windows and we wouldn't ever have to be concerned with blinds. However, the windows have Rolscreens that are complete diasasters.
The Pella Rolscreen and Designer Series Casement windows with the blinds built in are the worst windows I have ever had in my life and I've had some bad windows in houses that were over 100 years old. To access the blinds, you have to roll up the Rolscreens, which are generally broken and no longer roll. Either the screens are ripped out of the track or the cheap plastic pieces that attach the screens at the bottom are broken and simply flap in the wind...allowing all kinds of nasty critters into your house. Even when the screens are fully inserted correctly, there is a gap at the bottom that allows bugs in! After you manage to get through or by the Rolscreen, you can access the draw strings for the blinds. However, the blind drawstrings have little plastic end pieces which are pretty much all broken or missing. After you get to the strings, you have to wrap the hideously long cords around two silly little notches on the window to tie back the cords. It's truly a disaster. If I could post pictures I would attempt to show you the mess. It looks unkempt and detracts from the view outside.
If you're looking for replacement parts, be prepared to wait and pay a ton of money. It may make more sense to replace all of your windows. And, for me, they absolutely will not be Pella windows!
I called Pella last year in early 2010 and requested someone to come to my house to replace the screens. They said that the repair personnel were busy and wouldn't be able to come to my house until likely August (7 months from the date of my call)! I said just forget it and I pretty much left my windows shut last summer and kept the air conditioner on.
I decided that I wanted fresh air this year. I called Pella back today, April 29, 2011 and they said that I couldn't purchase screens through Pella rather, I had to order them from Lowe's. I called Lowe's. The Lowe's sales person was fantastic. However, Lowe's doesn't carry the Pella Rolscreens. The Pella Rolscreens were only available in the 80's to independent Pella installers. Instead, I have to call Pella replacement parts. I told him that I had just called them and they told me to call Lowe's. Luckily, the Pella representative was at Lowe's at the time of my call. He's going to have the Pella replacement parts manager call me.
The Pella Rolscreen replacement saga continues....
Mar 08, 2011 Rating
Rolling Screen Repair by: Anonymous
Repairing roll down screens is always tricky. For newer models, your method is wonderful. The spring spun out and cut me.
The older models seem to almost be impossible to repair. I searched around since I have newer Roll Aways and also old rusted rolling screens but I did find a company that fixes roll down screens.
Elite Rollscreen Specialists and they did a great job on mine. I wouldn't recommend fixing the old ones but good luck to all brave souls.
Oct 28, 2010 Rating
Pella Rolscreen are bad design by: Anonymous
I installed (1n 1979) Pella casements with their Rolscreens. These were very poorly designed as far as repair goes. The box that holds the spring loaded roller is spot welded and unaccessable without cutting it apart. Even though in 1979 Pella promised lifetime service, parts and repair for their units...they offer no help to repair these units or offer replacements...their answer is to buy their new roller units at $300 each...what a joke!!! Please keep this in mind if you are researching for window replacements. The Pella stores are just a place to see and order their new product with no help or backing once the purchase is made. BE AWARE!!! As far as the rest of the parts available...another joke...they want $29.00 for a simple window crank and $10.00 for a cheap plastic cover for the crank assembly. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PELLA PRODUCT AGAIN!!!
