- Remove the old screen from the window frame and place it on a flat work surface.
- Stretch and cut the new screen across the frame, ensuring the material overlaps the frame by at least an inch.
- Secure the new screen, remove excess screen material, and latch it to the window.
- Get the right window screen by determining the type of screen you need.
- Rescreen the screen in 10 minutes for a total beginner.
- Pull up the spline and remove the old screen.
- Use screen repair tools like adhesive, spline rollers, and pre-manufactured patches to patch a window screen in three easy steps.
A torn or damaged window screen can be unsightly and remove protection from the outside of your window, allowing insects and other pests to enter.
- Gather necessary supplies, such as adhesive, spline rollers, and pre-manufactured patches.
- Remove the old screen from the frame using a plastic cord called a spline.
- Wash the window frame with soap and water.
- Use the existing frame to build a new frame and install the screening.
- In four easy steps, remove the damaged screen from the frame, measure and cut the new screen, and push the screen into place.
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I had a cheap plastic spline roller, and when I had to do another window, I saw a tool with metal wheels. I bought it. I actually like the plastic one better. It seems like the metal one likes to come off the spline really easily when rolling it in place. It might be because the groove is more narrow on the metal one.
Rob, I would have subscribed, but you failed to stress the most important step. That is to stretch the screen. The second side should be the side opposite the first side while holding it taunt, starting in the center of that side and working your way to both corners while holding them taunt as well. And doing the same process on the last two sides. I guess I’ll go to the next article that shows the correct process.
This was so helpful. Now I have nice new screens. The ones I had were ruined by the pugs that belonged to the people who lived in the house before me. I’m so happy to have these in the hot weather. Except the spline I bought at Lowe’s was too narrow. I had to use the old spline I had from the windows.
Good job on the article. FYI I been putting screens together for awhile now. I don’t put the spine in by rolling it all the way around I cut it to length on each edges and then put the top in and the bottom one, next the sides in and when I’m putting the spline in I just pushed down every 2 to 3 inches to get it snug and lightly go over it several times and it will pack it down with no problems . That process will make it tight without overdoing. It works perfect every time, and then the spine does not shrink and start to pull out at the edges in the future..
I just replaced my window screen. I used aluminum mesh which was much harder to work with than the soft vinyl screen. I reused my old spline which was stiff as heck. My tip would be to put the window screen on top and pre-roll around the rail with the spline tool (but without the spline) to make an imprint on the mesh screen. I made an imprint on two sides first. I then rolled in the spline for two sides. After stretching the screen to ensure that there are wrinkles, I made an imprint on the other remaining two sides and finished it off. The imprint made pushing in the spline much easier. Another tip is that I found a door strike plate with a hammer to tap in any hard parts. Just had to be careful to ensure you are not are taping off the spline.
People are SO quick to comment negatively and point out what you might be doing wrong. I’d just like to say “thank you” for making this article. I unsuccessfully tried 3 times before perusal your article only to have the frame warp n twist. Your tip on taping it down prevented that from happening, so kudos to you sir! 👍🏼
Great article. I’d want you to add the fact that the spline size needs be examined closely whether you buy a “kit” or individual supplies. I did as you suggested and carefully removed the old spline and found that the spline supplied in my “kit” was a tad smaller in diameter. So I used the old spline. I have other screens to repair so all is well on that note. I’m sure I’ll be able to use the new spline on those. I cleaned up the old spline with soap and water, lightly pulling it through an old rag to wipe it off. Them I brought some water to a boil in a big fry pan filled with water, careful to be sure the loosely coiled old spline was fully submerged so as not to touch any of the metal on the fry pan that might melt it. After a few moments in the boiling water I removed the spline and lightly pulled it through a clean rag to dry. This took any of the “set” turns and angles out of it and made it more easily handled. I actually did the same to the new spline that was rather tightly coiled and wrapped in the cellophane wrap it came in. It also has a lightly coiled formation now rather than bunched up in a tight winding as it was supplied. Any comments or corrections from other ‘posters’ on my ideas are welcomed. If I have something incorrect here, please let me know in a reply.
I just did my first one and man keeping that fiberglass EVENLY taught, is a pain. Wound up splitting it along sections of the opposing (already splined) side as I pulled Interesting how many variations in technique I see in these articles. Most say pre-cut to keep the roll out of your way. No others put a weight in the middle. One said use the rounded roller on the screen to push it in, then grooved roller to push the spline in after. I used that one first to guide it into the groove, then went over it with the rounded one to push it in all the way (grooved one didnt want to push it all the way, and I couldnt put toooo much pressure on the tool as I 3d printed it)
Thank you so much for this very informative article. I purchased a kit this morning from Home Depot and came on here to see how to do it and your article stood out. Guess what? I did it (in my happy child’s voice)! 😂 Only thing is I pulled it a little too taunt. I heard the tape make a few noises but I just kept going. I’ll do it over another time but right now, it’s repaired and looks great. I’m dang proud of myself. 😅 Well thanks to you. 😊 Peace and blessings.
I’m certainly going to try following your instructions. A few years ago my roommate & I tried to replace the sliding door screen. It was a lot harder than you’d think. He struggled with it while I skimmed thru various YT articles. The screen tended to stretch & distort, resulting in puffy places – even though it started out squared with the frame. One article suggested taping the screen to the floor (laid over the frame) and that was extremely helpful. I’m about to attempt a much smaller window screen, but remember well that it was difficult to achieve the desired result. The roll of screen I recently purchased doesn’t want to lay flat on the floor. Despite weighting it down with flat heavy objects for several days, even cautiously using a hairdryer, it still retains the “rolled” highs & lows. I may try misting and/or soaking it with warm or hot water, but if that doesn’t help, I’ll just do the best I can with it “as is” and hope for a decent outcome. Frustrating . . .
Funny how you use the convex roller incorrectly and never even address the correct concave roller… the convex roller is to pre-roll the screen into the groove before you roll the spline into the groove with the concave roller.. think about it.. concave holds the round shape of the spline while rolling it into the website.