Window Screen Mesh Replacement

Written By: Aubrey Sinden

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

The purpose of a window screen is to prevent bugs, leaves, birds, etc., from getting into the house. However, when a screen has tears and holes in it, the screen is no longer helpful in keeping those things out. This guide provides instructions for replacing the screen mesh on the window screen frame so it will be as good as new and be a helpful protection to the inside of the house again.

Before beginning this repair, make sure that the screen mesh is big enough to go over the whole frame. Also, this repair is best to do on a flat surface, like a table.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Find the place in the channel of the screen frame where the ends of the spline meet.
The channel is the deep, narrow line in one side of the frame, and spline is the plastic cord.
Use a screwdriver to pry out an end of the spline.
After removing a couple inches of the spline, hold the spline with a hand and pull all of the spline out of the channel.

Step 2

Starting at an edge of the screen mesh, pull it upward to remove the mesh from the frame.

Step 3

Clean the frame using a warm, wet washcloth to remove dirt and debris.

Step 4

Hold down the edge of the screen mesh roll with one hand on a side of the frame.
Roll out the mesh over the top of the frame.
The mesh should be large enough to be at least an inch larger than the edge of the frame on each side.

Step 5

Use a pair of scissors or a utility knife to cut off from the roll of mesh, leaving around an extra inch outward from the frame.
A utility knife is better for making precise cuts.
Trim the other sides of the mesh, also leaving around an inch over the edges of the frame.

Step 6

Cut off the corners of the mesh diagonally and leave a bit of extra mesh over the frame.
Be careful not to cut too far into the mesh, or it will leave holes in the corners of the screen when it's finished.

Step 7

Hold the mesh down firmly with one hand.
Use the convex side of the screen rolling tool to press the mesh down into the channels.
The convex disc on one side of the roll bulges outward, and the concave disc on the other side caves inward.
Using the screen rolling tool, press the mesh into the frame channel on all sides of the frame.
Keep the mesh in the same place and stretch it as best as possible so the mesh will end up tight on the frame.

Step 8

Align the tip of a roll of spline to a corner of the frame.
Use the concave side of the screen rolling tool to press the end of the spline roll down into the channel.
Press and roll the concave side of the screen rolling tool down the channel.

Step 9

Press the spline to the edge of the corner.
Pull the spline to line up with the perpendicular channel
Press down and roll the spline into the new channel.
To get the spline in the corners, push it down with the screwdriver.

Step 10

After pushing spline into the frame channel on all sides, cut the end of the spline.

Step 11

Press and roll down the end of the spline into the channel.
Trim the spline shorter if it is too long to fit into the corner.

Step 12

Cut off the excess mesh with the pair of scissors or utility knife.
Don't rip a hole or tear with the scissors or utility knife while trimming.

Conclusion

If the screen mesh isn't tight enough or there are other issues, return to the beginning of the steps and restart. You don't have to do all of the steps if you are doing a minor revision, however, like only taking the spline out in order to tighten the screen mesh and placing the spline back afterwards.

Author

Aubrey Sinden

Member since: 05/07/17

1 Reputation

Window Screen Mesh Replacement

Introduction

Tools

Parts

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