How to Replace a Window Screen for Home Improvement

Video Transcript

"Replacing a torn window screen is very easy to do; not only will it prevent insects from getting into your house, but replacing it will improve the look of your house, which, you know, you want to keep looking as nice as possible.

The first thing you want to do in remove the old screen is by removing the old spline which is this cord that tucks into the channel that holds the screen in place. You can dig it out with an end of a screwdriver or a screw- something pointed- and just pull it out. you might be able to reuse the old spline when you put the new screen in, but I find that a lot of times it’s very brittle and you don’t want to do that if you don’t have to- new spline is pretty cheap.

So once you’ve got that removed the screen comes right out and you want to try to keep it intact as possible just for purposes of cutting a new screen to size. So what you want to do is find the same type of material that you’re replacing at your home center, lay it out, put the old screening on top of the new and leave an inch margin on each side. In this case, I’m just going to leave these two sides longer and just cut this an inch beyond using a straight edge and a utility knife. And it does not have to be a precise cut because you’re going to be trimming off the excess anyway.

Ok, with the new screen cut, you want to lay the frame out and set it over it. and now you’re going to start attaching it with the spline. You want to start of one cover of your choosing and with a spline roller, use the wheel with the groove in it- there are two wheels on there, but one has a groove which hugs the spline and presses it into place. Once you’ve got it started, you want to pull the screen tight and this particular span as you roll it into place. And then when you get to the corner, you want to make sure to keep it tight as you turn the corner and be careful not to bunch up the screen under it.

And when you’re done putting the spline into place, you’re simply going to trim it off at the end, and then with your utility blade, you’re going to trim off the excess screen all the way around, being careful to make the blade come in contact only with the outer edge and not the spline or the inside edge of the screen itself. And once you’ve done that, it’s done. "