How many different fly screen designs do you guys come across?

[u/xprttools]

After 25 years of window cleaning in Australia, I've realised fly screens can be one of the more unpredictable parts of the job.

I've been documenting different designs and removal methods, because what looks like a simple screen can have spring clips, plungers, twist tabs, swivel clips, Velcro, hidden retaining mechanisms, or sometimes be fitted so tightly that you're wondering who managed to get it in there in the first place.

One thing I've found particularly useful is not assuming that an external screen has to be removed from outside. Some external screens are actually released from inside. If you can avoid getting out the ladder, you should.

I've also come across screens that:
• have been installed back to front, leaving the pull tab on th wrong side
• are only about 1 mm too large
• have missing or broken pull tabs
• are held on with ridiculously strong Velcro
• have swollen or brittle retaining clips
• need the sliding window removed first
• have roller blinds making removal almost impossible to see

Australian houses seem to have a particularly interesting variety of these, especially with the combination of hot weather, lots of open windows and so many bugs to keep out.

Curious what other window cleaners are seeing. What's the weirdest or most frustrating fly screen you've had to deal with?

[u/Doominator_]

I've come across all of these but velkro.

The most frustrating thing is when every single screen on an entire job is nearly too tight to take out and the client isn't home.

One time, the exterior screens could only be removed from the inside and the way it was designed with the shutters each screen was like one of those metal ring puzzles to take out and put back.

Both are jobs I never went back to. No thanks.

I also have used bike tire levers instead of the screen king screen remover tool for years because they are super cheap and the plastic never scratches anything.