How to Replace a Screen Spline
Window screens degrade over time and begin to fall apart from the ravages of sun and weather. The rubber splines that hold the screen in the frame are also subject to degradation and become brittle. In extreme cases the splines may break apart and lose their holding power. A telltale sign that a spline is damaged or missing is when the screen sags or becomes separated from the frame. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Screen spline
- Spline roller
- Razor knife
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Instructions
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Remove the screen from the window frame. Find the finger tabs at the top of the screen, grab them between thumb and forefinger and gently pull downward. This will compress the clips under the bottom of the screen frame, allowing you to tip the top of the screen in and free it from the frame.
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Lay the screen on a flat surface.
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Pry the end of the spline out of the groove with a screwdriver. Once started, simply pull up on the spline and remove it from all around the frame. If the spline is broken into pieces it will be necessary to remove the pieces one at a time.
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Take a piece of the spline to the store and buy one of identical diameter.
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Center the screen on top of the screen frame. Make sure the spline grooves in the frame are facing up. If you are replacing the screen, too, cut the new screen to match the outside dimensions of the frame. Use the convex wheel of the spline roller and roll the screen into the grooves of the left and bottom sides of the screen frame.
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Set one end of the new spline in the groove at the upper left corner of the frame. This is the starting corner. Push down on the spline with the spline roller to set it into the groove.
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With the roller on top of the spline, push down and roll the spline into the frame. Be sure the screen stays straight and centered on the frame. At corners, use the screwdriver to gently push the spline into the groove, then continue rolling the spline into the groove with the spline roller.
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Cut the spline with the knife where it meets the starting corner.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are replacing only the spline, be careful when removing it so damage to the screen is minimized.
Consider using vinyl spline for replacements.
Use a spline roller with a roller width that matches the spline.
