Screen Repair: How to Fix a Window Screen

Become your window screens in shape for summertime with this unproblematic screen repair project. Nosotros'll walk you through information technology.

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Time

An 60 minutes or less

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

Window screens can get punctured or torn, but as long as the frame is in good shape window screen repairs are easy and tin be done in a few minutes. Hither'southward how to make your screen door or window look skilful as new.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Brick
  • Screen
  • Spline
  • Forest stop block

Select Replacement Window Screens Fabric

The most popular window replacement screens material is fiberglass, the type we're installing. Its flexibility makes information technology the easiest to use. If you brand a fault, you can accept it out of the frame and attempt over again. Aluminum screen is sturdier, but you only get one chance. The grooves yous've made with the screen rolling tool are at that place to stay.

The third type of replacement window screens repair material that's popular is dominicus-shading fabric. Information technology blocks more than sun, which ways less load on your air-conditioning system and less fading of your rug, draperies and furniture. It's too stronger than fiberglass and aluminum screening, so information technology'south great for pet owners.

All three materials come in grey or black to friction match your other window screens. You lot can also get shiny aluminum every bit well as lord's day-shading fabrics in bronze and brownish tones.

Know the size of your window when you go to the home center. It will sell pre-measured rolls to fit nearly any opening size. If your screen frame is taller than 36 inches, it should have a center support to go along it from bowing in once the material is in place. Newer screens commonly come with this support.

If your long screens don't have a support, yous can make one out of aluminum frame stock. It'south located virtually the screening supplies in most stores. The aluminum stock tin be cut with a tin snips and trimmed to fit. Continue reading to learn about a common type of screen repair: replacement.

Screens are excellent for issues control. Bank check out the 10 most disgusting house bugs and how to get rid of them here.

Project step-by-footstep (6)

Footstep 1

Screen Repair: Pry Out the Spline

  • Pry out the onetime spline with an awl or a narrow-tipped screwdriver.
  • Throw it away — spline gets difficult and brittle as it ages and shouldn't be reused.

If you have just a small tear, yous'll want to see our tips on how to patch a torn window screen.

repair window screen spline

Step 2

Secure the Frame

  • Identify wooden blocks along the within of the two longest sides of the frame and secure them to the work surface.
  • The blocks keep the frame from bowing inwards when you install the new window screen repair material.

secure frame screen replace

Pace 3

How to Put a Window Screen Back In and Position the New Screen

  • Lay the new screen material over the frame. Information technology should overlap the frame by about 3/4-in. to one inch.
  • Cut each corner at a 45-degree bending just slightly beyond the spline groove. The cuts keep the screen from bunching in the corners.

If you think you need a heavy duty screen, here are tips for installing a heavy duty window screen.

position new window screen repair

Pace 4

Push the New Screen In

  • Begin installing the new spline at a corner.
  • Use the screen rolling tool to button the spline and screen fabric into the groove.
  • Go along effectually the frame. If wrinkles or bulges announced, remove the spline and re-roll.
  • Small wrinkles should tighten up as you lot get back to the starting corner.

Push in new screen repair

Step 5

Trim the Screen

  • Trim backlog screen material using a utility knife with a new sharp bract.
  • A dull blade will pull the material, not cut information technology.
  • Cut with the blade on top of the spline and pointed toward the outside of the frame.

trim window replacement screen

Step 6

Pro Play a joke on for Proper Screen Tension

  • During window screen replacement, if the screen tension is too loose the screen will sag. Simply if you pull information technology too tight, particularly on larger door and window screens, the tension can actually bow in the aluminum sides. Here's a elementary way to get information technology merely right:
    • After rolling in the screen on the first two bordering sides, place a brick or similar heavy object in the center of the screen to create the proper amount of slack.
    • Then continue installing the fabric along the 3rd and fourth sides of the screen frame. Remove the brick.

Learn how to supervene upon a door or window screen in our video tutorial.

proper screen tension