How To Replace a Window Screen
Door and Window Screen Repair vs. Replacement
Depending on what type of environment your property is in, screens may actually be very important to the integrity of your home. In warm and temperate climates, screen season can be many months long and that means there are more opportunities for unwanted wild visitors to drop in and say hello. Even just a few small tears in a few screens can ruin the fun for homeowners. Keeping bugs and other critters out and your home safe and secure in any kind of weather is the primary reason to have your screen windows in effective condition and secure. However, most people have the tendency to throw out a screen once they discover any type of rip or breach. Many times this can be a mistake. Our home improvement expert, Lou Manfredini, goes over a few types of scenarios of “repair vs. replace” your window screen.
Why go to Westlake Ace Hardware for your screen window and door repair work? It’s simple – we perform the job thousands of times a year using the best materials for the work. But our in-store experts can also give you great advice on what to buy and use for screen window repair in your home, in case you want to do it yourself! Watch this video to see how easy it can be with the right tools.
Video Transcript:
How to patch or repair a window screen
Repairing a torn screen on a door or window is really easy for any DYI’er. You have a larger tear like this, you’ll need to rescreen the entire frame and with a small hole there is an easy patch fix that we will show you how to do. Know there are two different types of screens available to you aluminum and fiberglass. Today we’re going to be using fiberglass screening because it’s the easiest to install.
Patch kits to patch small screen holes
Screen patch kits are great for smaller holes, they make them for both aluminum and fiberglass. This one is self-stick, you place the patch over the hole, smooth it out with your hands so it adheres and you’re done.
How to replace an entire screen window
If you have a larger tear like this, you’ll need to rescreen the entire frame. To remove the screen, use a screwdriver to get underneath the screen spline and pull it from the channel inside the frame. You may be able to reuse the old spline but many times it becomes brittle. Make sure you bring the old spline with you to the hardware store so you get the right size. Now it’s time to roll out the screen. Allow it to overhang the frame and then use a sharp utility knife to cut it so that the role doesn’t get in your way as you’re installing the spline. This is a spline tool. It’s going to help you install the spline into the channel of the frame. Start at one end and push it in with your fingers, then use the spline tool to slowly roll across the channel pulling the spline as you go along. Also be careful that you don’t create any ripples. If you do, just back out the spline and start over. You can keep this together in one piece and round the corner because most of the frames have a channel that continues. Remember, nice and easy and not too tight because you might bend the frame. Now it’s time to trim the excess screen from the frame. Carefully take a sharp utility knife on the outside of the spline that you just installed and cut the screen away from the frame. Take your time cuz you don’t want to cut the brand new screen.
That’s all there is to it. For more helpful tips and advice visit your neighborhood Ace and find us online at acehardware.com.
