Fletcher
Bronze Tip Medal for All Time! 75 Tips 
This project shows how easy it is to replace a damaged or scratched window screen. The same technique can be used for most modern windows with vinyl or aluminum frames including screen doors.
Total Time: Ten Minutes
Supplies:
- 1 Roll screen wire ($7.00)
- 1 Pack screen spline ($4.00)
- 1 spline roller ($3.00)
- 1 utility knife ($3.00)
You can find the screen wire, spline, and spline roller at any hardware store. Usually you will end up with enough for several screen replacements.
Sometimes you can reuse the spline from the existing window and save the expense of buying replacement spline.
I bought "pet proof" screen wire since I didn't want the cats to scratch it again immediately and it seems to work.
Steps:
- Remove the damaged screen from the window. Usually there are springs on one end, opposite the little black handle. Pull the handle to compress the screens and the window will pop out a little.
- Remove the damaged screen wire material by pulling the spline out of the frame. Tug carefully so you don't bend the frame.
- Lay the screen frame on top of your replacement screen.
- Cut out the replacement screen roughly, about an inch bigger than the frame all the way around.
- Lay the replacement screen wire material over the frame with the spline channel facing up.
- Starting at one corner lay the replacement spline in the channel and use the spline roller to push the spline firmly down into the channel. This will sandwich the replacement screen wire down into the channel holding it securely.
- Work your way all the way around the screen pushing the spline in firmly. The screen will gradually tighten as you go. Make sure you get the spline into the corners securely. This sometimes requires using a pencil to poke the spline down into the corner.
- Now cut off the excess screen wire material using the utility knife. Cut just above the spline, but be careful not to nick the spline or the screen in the center of the frame.
- After cutting all the way around the frame, cut the end of the spline material and make sure it is securely in the channel all the way around.
- The finished frame can now be re-installed in the window.
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Lewissan
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 141 Feedbacks May 16, 20141 found this helpful
Quite possibly, the best how-to article I have ever seen. You sir, have what they call in the business... talent!
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