How To Fix a Window Screen

As the weather warms up, it’s time to open windows and welcome the fresh spring air. However, if your window screens are damaged, addressing the issue promptly is crucial. Whether they are sagging, torn, or have holes, as long as the frames remain intact, you can easily undertake a DIY repair. Window screens play a vital role in keeping bugs, pests, and debris out of your home. In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix a window screen, ensuring your home stays protected while you enjoy the breeze.

You can use a window screen patch, which is kind of like a roll of window screen repair tape that you can cut to the size you need. This works great if you have a small, minor holes. But for larger holes, or how to repair a screen tear, you may want to replace the entire screen material.

Materials Needed

Window Screen Material (this comes in different colors like black or silver to match what you already have)
Screen Roller Tool
Spline (this comes in different widths)
Scissors
Utility Knife

How To Replace The Window Screen

It’s surprisingly easy to learn how to fix the entire window screen. With just a few supplies you can do it yourself in as little as 10 minutes per window, and for very minimal cost.

Before you begin, measure the width and length of your screen. They make many different sizes, as well as different colors of screen material (like black, charcoal, or silver) and you’ll need to know your screen frame measurements to ensure you get the right size when shopping.

Step 1

First remove the screen from the window and lay on a flat surface. Next, remove the damaged screen material by prying out the old spline. The spline is the vinyl cord that sits in the groove of the screen frame to hold the screen material in place. Then remove the old screen material. Discard the screen material and the spline. Don’t reuse the old spline as it becomes brittle and dries out over time.

Step 2

Cut the new screen material to fit the screen frame. Overlap the frame with the material by about 3/4″. You’ll cut the excess off later.

Step 3

Take the new spline and insert it in to the groove on the screen frame at one of the corners. You should be able to press the spline in with your finger and it stay put. If it’s too loose or too snug, try a different size.

Next take a screen rolling tool and press the spline in to the grooves on the screen frame. Be sure to keep the screen material positioned underneath the spline. Pull the excess screen material taut as you roll in the spline. This is why you leave the overlap of screen material in the previous step. You’ll see that the spline sits down snug in to the grooves.

Roll all the way down the first side. When you get to the corner, don’t cut the spline. Instead, round the corner with it. Continue rolling and pressing the spline in to the grooves until you have done all four sides. The screen material may bunch up in the corner. In that case, cut a small slit in to the overlapped corner of the screen material to relieve this.

If at any point the screen material gets wrinkled, back up a bit. Remove the spline, and begin again.

When you get back to where you first started with the spline, cut it off and press the final bit in to the groove.

Step 4

Finish rolling the spline in all sides, then take a utility knife and cut the excess screen material. Be sure not to cut in to the spline when doing this.

And there you have it! It takes less time to repair a window screen, as shown above, than it does to make a pot of coffee. You can quickly do this now so you’ll be ready to open up your windows and enjoy the fresh air.

Additionally, take the time now to clean all your other window screens. Dirty screens hold mold, dirt and pollen. This leads to poor indoor air quality. You can Clean Your Window Screens Fast using only water and dish soap.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning how to fix a window screen is a simple yet essential DIY skill that can save you time and money. With the weather warming up, it’s important to ensure your screens are in good condition to let in the fresh air of spring while keeping bugs, pests, and debris at bay. By following the step-by-step guide provided, you can easily repair or replace damaged window screens and enjoy the comfort of your home without any unwanted intruders.