Mesh screens on windows and doors can be a true lifesaver during the warm months when insects are most active. They allow fresh air to enter the house while keeping the pesky bugs out, but a stray ball can easily rip a huge hole in the screen, rendering it utterly useless. Not all damage is that severe and can easily be patched, but sometimes the damage is too bad to be patched and the entire screen needs to be replaced. Luckily this is quite an easy job and can be done in about twenty minutes.
1. Decide which material you’re going to use
Mesh screens are generally made of fibreglass, aluminium or sun-shading fabric (also known as heavy-duty screening). Fibreglass is the most popular and is easiest to work with. It’s a flexible material and if you make a mistake, you can remove it from the frame and try again. Aluminium is sturdier and you can only use it once. If you make a mistake you will have to throw it away and try again with a new piece. Sun-shading or heavy-duty screens are strongest of the three and works great if you have pets that are likely to chew or scratch on it. Because it’s heavy-duty, it blocks out sunlight as well as your view, and will be the most difficult to work with.
2. Measure your window or door
Measure the window or door where you are replacing the screen. The replacement screen you buy will have to be 10 centimetres longer and wider than your current screen.
3. Gather all your tools
Other than the replacement screen you need to buy, you will need a few tools and materials:
• Flathead screwdriver or an awl
• Spline (the little rubber string that keeps the screen in the frame. To be sure you get the correct diameter, jump to step 5 and 6 and take a piece of the spline along to the hardware store)
• Spline roller (also called screen roller)
• Utility knife
• Damp cloth
• Clamps or tape
4. Set up your workspace
Find a flat and sturdy area where you can work. Clear it of anything not needed for this project and gather your tools and material from the previous step.
5. Find the spline
Look around the frame of your screen for a narrow groove with something that looks like string. That’s the spline.
6. Pry out the spline
Using your awl or screwdriver, carefully wedge it in at the start of the spline (this is normally in a corner). Once you have a piece of spline that’s loose, you should be able to pull on it and the rest of the spline will come out. If the spline is old and brittle it might be a bit harder to get out. Keep wedging your tool into the groove to remove all of the old spline.
7. Remove the old screen
With the spline out of the way the screen will easily come out of the frame.
8. Clean the frame
Use a damp cloth to wipe away any dirt or grime that may have gathered on the frame.
9. Cut your replacement screen
Using your utility knife, cut a piece of your new screen that is 10 centimetres longer and wider than your frame.
10. Place the new screen over the frame
Position the new screen over your frame, again making sure the screen hangs over the frame.
11. Tape or clamp the screen down
Make sure the screen is straight and clamp one of the long sides onto your table along with the frame. If you don’t have clamps you can also tape the screen down onto the table.
12. Push the screen into the frame
On the long side that isn’t fastened down, use the convex (rounded) side of the spline roller and push the screen into the spline’s groove.
13. Push the spline into the frame
Place the start of the spline into the groove at the corner of your frame and use the concave (curved inwards) side of the spline roller to push the spline into the frame, pulling on the screen as you go to keep the screen from bulging anywhere. Make sure the spline is pushed in all the way, otherwise the screen will pop out.
14. Repeat for the other sides
Remove the clamps or tape and repeat steps 12 and 13 for the rest of the frame.
15. Trim excess screening
With the spline in place all around the frame, carefully pull the blade of your utility knife along the spline to cut off any excess screening sticking out the sides.
16. Consider professional pest control services
If the number of insects that are getting caught in your screens is excessive then you might be suffering from a pest infestation either near or under your house. That’s the time to consider a
professional pest control solution to ensure the underlying problem is successfully and correctly handled.