Installing a window screen

Request Consultation. Call Now. How to Repair or Replace Your Window Screen posted on October 21, in Global Blogs Window screens are not as sturdy as windows of course , so they need to be replaced fairly often. How Long Window Screens Last Typically a window screen will last around 10 to 15 years if it has minimal exposure to the elements and is cleaned regularly, although geographic location can play a large role in the wear and tear on your screens. In addition, screens can wear out more quickly because of: Water Damage If your screen is constantly being hit by sprinklers, or you live in a particularly damp area, it will start to rust sooner than if you live in a dry area.

How to Replace a Window Screen and Frame If you purchase a whole new screen , including the frame, you will simply need to remove the old screen and insert the new one. Here's how: Step 1: Approach the screen from inside the house.

Pivot the screen latch clips out of the grooves on the sides of the window frame. Step 2: Hold the screen latches securely in place as you bring the screen inside.

Step 3: Position the new screen so its handle and latch clips face into the house. Step 4: Position the new screen in the window frame, and slip the screen latch clips into their grooves. The screen should stay securely in place. How to Repair a Window Screen If the frame is in good condition but the mesh part of your screen has a hole in it, you may want to avoid buying a whole new screen.

Step 1: Buy a roll of screen material. You need to make sure that the screen material covers the length of the frame, plus two inches on every side. You will also need to buy a length of screen spline, a cord that goes inside the groove of the frame to hold the screen in place. The tools that you will need are scissors, tape, and a screen roller. Step 2: Roll the screen over the frame, pull it tight, and tape it down.

Step 3: Use a screen roller to push the screen into the channel of the frame. Step 4: Use the screen roller to push the new screen spline into the channel so the screen will not pop out. Check the screen to ensure that it is tight everywhere with no wrinkles or folds. If you have a mistake, remove the staple that is causing the problem with a flat head screwdriver or a pliers, pull the screen where the staple was, then add a new staple. Once you have finished, remove excess screening using a scissors.

Staples are not particularly attractive, so you may want to purchase wooden strips or caps for screened in porches to place over the staples once you have finished, covering them up. Staple guns, especially electric ones, can be dangerous. Do not point them at yourself or anyone else. Unplug electric staple guns before adding more staples. Related Articles. Unroll your screening on a flat surface. Mesh for porch screens typically comes on a roll. Open your staple gun and insert staples. Although wood-frame window screens are removable, they are not appropriate for every window, especially vinyl and aluminum.

The mounting clips that hold screens in place require drilling, which can void your window warranty. Screens are usually mounted on the exterior of the house, so you might need a ladder. Set the screen in place against the window to determine which style of turn clips you need to install the screens. Some clips are flush-mount, which means they are flat across the back side.

Others have a longer screw-opening shank, which raises the free arm of the clip and allows the arm to fit over the edge of a thicker screen. If the face of the frame fits flush with the plane of the window jambs, use flush-mount clips.

Jambs are the left and right vertical parts of the window that butt against the sides of the window sashes. If the screen is thicker or sits higher or further out than the plane of the window jamb, use turn clips with a longer screw-opening shank.

Measure from the top of the window down the left or right jamb to approximately one-quarter of the height of the window. Mark the jamb at that spot with a pencil.