Do I not understand how they work, or do they not fit?
I just got new expensive-ass Pella custom windows installed. I was trying to put the screens in today, and either I’m a moron or they don’t fit. Now, it’s just me and they are very tall windows, but it seems that if they go into the slot for them at the top, they don’t fit into the bottom. Is there a trick I don’t understand? I’ve never had to do this before, as my windows never opened before I got replacements.
Have you checked the Pella website for screen instation
DOn’t know Pella & didn’t follow the link above, but many such screens are spring-loaded. One end of the screen will have leaf springs and the other will not.
If so, insert the leaf spring end in the slot, then push (upwards in your case) to compress the springs. Then the other (bottom) end slips neatly into place. Then you release the screen & the leaf spring expands, locking the screen in place.
I did check the instructions, which weren’t helpful on actually getting the things in. No springs. I finally did muscle the middle screen in, but not the side screens - I’m starting to think maybe they don’t fit. However, I can never tell if they’re actually different (custom windows in an old house) so I keep switching screens and flailing around in there. Maybe another pair of hands would help.
Call either the people who installed your new windows or Pella. Screens are ridiculously cheap to produce. They only cost the manufacturer about $5 each. I’m sure they would rather fix the problem than have you unhappy with the windows over just the screens.
I used to work in the industry and sometimes the pre-installed screens came in so tight that you couldn’t get them out. Others were too lose.
No window company would stiff you over just screens. Call them, make them fix the problem. The replacement window industry is very competitive and the money you paid for the windows includes a full time warranty division whose sole job is to run around fixing problems.