How To Change Window Screen

Last update: 2023-07-02

Window screen replacement is a simple, low-cost repair that even inexperienced DIYers can complete. Here's how to prevent bugs and dirt out of the cracks in your screens.

The window screening serves a purpose. It is far less successful at keeping insects and debris out of your home if it acquires a snag, a rip, or a hole than if it is in good condition. If your screens do break, know that replacing them is simple—and inexpensive in terms of materials and tools—if you follow our simple window screen repair instructions.

Types of window screen

Before our guides to screen replacement, here’s a list of popular window screen types that you should put them in consideration:

Fiberglass Window Screens

Fiberglass window screens are popular because of their lightweight and low cost. These screens are available in a variety of shapes and colors, allowing homeowners to choose the ones that best fit their needs.

Fiberglass is used to make a variety of window screens, including vinyl-coated fiberglass window screens and aluminum-coated fiberglass window screens.

How To Change Window Screen

Polyester Window Screens

Polyester screens, another non-metal window mesh, have a greater durability rating.

Polyester screens are more expensive than fiberglass screens, but they are well worth the extra money. Polyester screens are coated with a vinyl coating during production to improve their resistance to cuts and rips. Polyester screens are roughly 7 times stronger than fiberglass screens.

Polyester screens are nearly hard to rip without a cutting instrument in typical use. That's why they're great for pet-friendly homes: a rambunctious dog or cat won't be able to readily harm the screen.

How To Change Window Screen

Metal Window Screens

Metal window screens come in a variety of styles, including:

  • Aluminum
  • Bronze
  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Stainless steel

Aluminum is the most common of these types of screens, partly due to its cost and rust-proof qualities. Stainless steel window screens are another cost-effective choice with a gleaming, clean appearance.

Copper, brass, and bronze window screens are high-performance but more expensive solutions. These materials are widely utilized on historical structures and high-end houses because they are exceedingly durable and offer a polished, aesthetically pleasing aspect.

Retractable Window Screens

In recent years, retractable screens have become increasingly popular. They are the ideal storm window and screen combo. When you're ready to use the screen, simply pull it down and secure it in place, and the screen will entirely retract when you're done.

The most typical application for retractable window screens is in screened doors, but they're also great for porches and sunrooms. Retractable screens, on the other hand, maybe added to any window in your home.

Privacy Window Screens

Privacy screens, as the name implies, provide an extra layer of privacy. Privacy screens, unlike normal window screens, are thick and densely woven. These screens offer protection from the weather while enabling air to flow freely into the house.

For situations where space is limited, privacy screens are excellent. A privacy screen, for example, maybe a smart choice for a window that faces a nearby house. You may effortlessly open your curtains with this window screen type without worrying about anyone looking into your home.

Specialty Window Screens

While there are many different types of speciality window screens, here are a few of the most common:

  • Solar Window Screens: Solar window screens assist to deflect the sun's rays and heat away from your home. These screens are perfect for sunrooms, patios, and windows that receive a lot of direct sunshine.
  • No-see-um Window Screens: These are meant for homes in southern areas where small pests and insects are more prevalent. To keep troublesome pests out, they're tightly woven.

Screen replacement steps by steps

Step 1: Take the old screen out of the frame

The screen is kept in place by a spline, a plastic cable that runs around the circumference of the metal frame in a channel. Lift the spline out of the channel with a tiny flat-head screwdriver, a nail punch, or a sharp implement. Keep the spline, but throw away or recycle the ripped screen.

This is an excellent opportunity to wash the frame if it is filthy. Bring the old spline to a home improvement store while it cures to confirm that the replacement spline you buy is the correct size.

How To Change Window Screen

Step 2: Measure the new window screening material's dimensions

Place the metal frame on a flat surface and roll out a length of screen material to cover it completely. Cut the screen to size, leaving an additional 2 inches of screening material on both sides.

How To Change Window Screen

Step 3: Place the new window screen in the frame

Cover the frame with the new window screen material, ensuring that it overhangs the metal on all four sides.

The majority of screen material is offered in rolls. It'll be easier to deal with if you unroll it with the curled side down. Pull the screening taut and secure it to the top and bottom of the frame using tape or clamps.

Step 4: Replace the spline

Push the screen into the frame's channel using the convex wheel of the screen rolling tool, starting on one side and working your way around the perimeter of the frame. Keep the material taut as you make your way around, then insert the plastic spline with the concave side of the same tool.

How To Change Window Screen

Step 5: Remove any surplus screening material and install a new window screen

Trim the surplus screening material with a utility knife once you've inserted the spline. To prevent cutting the new spline, cut the screen on the outside of it with the utility knife blade angled away from it. Install your new window screens last.

Replacement Screen Maintenance

Proper maintenance is a significant element of making sure your patio door or window screen replacements endure a long time. To prevent snow and ice from harming your screens, remove them in the winter and store them in a dry spot, such as an attic or basement.

Although most people clean their windows on a regular basis, the screens are sometimes overlooked. To eliminate dirt and pollen that collects on window screens, clean them at least once a year.

Place the screens on a flat surface and vacuum them to eliminate spider webs and dust before reinstalling them in the spring. After that, carefully brush the screens with a mild soap-and-water solution before washing them and drying them.

The screen is most commonly damaged when being installed or removed. Therefore, if you learn how to properly remove the screen from the window, this will help you avoid bending the screen frame or tearing the screen, and will make sure that it will keep bugs and debris out of your home for a long time.

  • In the winter, put your screens away.
  • Annually, clean the screens.
  • Learn how to install and remove window screens correctly.

Last Thoughts

When purchasing a roll of replacement window screen material, make sure to select a material that is suitable for your home. The majority of window screening is composed of fiberglass, but families with dogs or cats may wish to select heavy-duty, pet-resistant screens that are less likely to snag. Solar screens can be used on patios or in sunny parts of your home to minimize the amount of heat and sunshine that enters your home (and thus, the amount it costs to cool your home).

You may learn how to rescreen a window by following the easy steps above, which can save you money on pricey replacement window screens. (Screen repair is the same for screen doors, so you now know how to fix these as well!) A damaged screen may be replaced in about an hour with an affordable replacement mesh and a few basic tools.

While replacing a window screen is a very straightforward task, it is not one you should undertake frequently. Make your window screens last longer by storing them correctly in the winter and cleaning them before reinstalling them in the spring.


Related Articles