Screen Repair: How to Fix a Window Screen

Get your window screens in shape for summer with this simple screen repair project. We'll walk you through it.

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Fourth dimension

An hr or less

Complication

Beginner

Cost

Less than $20

Introduction

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

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Brick
  • Screen
  • Spline
  • Forest cease block

Select Replacement Window Screens Material

The nigh popular window replacement screens material is fiberglass, the blazon we're installing. Its flexibility makes it the easiest to employ. If you make a mistake, you can take information technology out of the frame and attempt again. Aluminum screen is sturdier, but you lot only get one chance. The grooves you've made with the screen rolling tool are at that place to stay.

The 3rd blazon of replacement window screens repair fabric that's popular is dominicus-shading fabric. It blocks more sunday, which means less load on your air-conditioning system and less fading of your rug, draperies and furniture. It'due south as well stronger than fiberglass and aluminum screening, so it's great for pet owners.

All three materials come in grey or blackness to match your other window screens. You lot can also get shiny aluminum as well as sun-shading fabrics in bronze and dark-brown tones.

Know the size of your window when y'all go to the home middle. It volition sell pre-measured rolls to fit well-nigh any opening size. If your screen frame is taller than 36 inches, it should have a center back up to keep it from bowing in once the material is in place. Newer screens usually come up with this support.

If your long screens don't have a support, you can brand one out of aluminum frame stock. It'due south located near the screening supplies in most stores. The aluminum stock can exist cut with a tin snips and trimmed to fit. Keep reading to learn near a common type of screen repair: replacement.

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

Project pace-past-step (6)

Step 1

Screen Repair: Pry Out the Spline

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

If you have just a small tear, y'all'll desire to come across our tips on how to patch a torn window screen.

repair window screen spline

Step ii

Secure the Frame

  • Place wooden blocks along the inside of the two longest sides of the frame and secure them to the piece of work surface.
  • The blocks continue the frame from bowing in when you install the new window screen repair material.

secure frame screen replace

Step 3

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

  • Lay the new screen material over the frame. It should overlap the frame by nigh 3/4-in. to one inch.
  • Cutting each corner at a 45-degree angle 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, hither are tips for installing a heavy duty window screen.

position new window screen repair

Stride 4

Push the New Screen In

  • Brainstorm installing the new spline at a corner.
  • Use the screen rolling tool to push the spline and screen cloth into the groove.
  • Continue around the frame. If wrinkles or bulges announced, remove the spline and re-coil.
  • Small wrinkles should tighten upwardly as you become back to the starting corner.

Push in new screen repair

Footstep 5

Trim the Screen

  • Trim backlog screen material using a utility knife with a new sharp blade.
  • A dull blade will pull the material, non cutting information technology.
  • Cut with the blade on elevation of the spline and pointed toward the outside of the frame.

trim window replacement screen

Step 6

Pro Trick for Proper Screen Tension

  • During window screen replacement, if the screen tension is likewise loose the screen volition sag. But if you pull it also tight, peculiarly on larger door and window screens, the tension can actually bow in the aluminum sides. Here's a uncomplicated mode to go it but right:
    • After rolling in the screen on the get-go two adjoining sides, place a brick or similar heavy object in the middle of the screen to create the proper corporeality of slack.
    • Then go on installing the cloth forth the third and quaternary sides of the screen frame. Remove the brick.

Larn how to replace a door or window screen in our video tutorial.

proper screen tension

Originally Published: August 17, 2020