Berkshire Hathaway EWM Realty.
Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A., Berkshire Hathaway EWM Realty.Phone: (786) 512-2467
Email: [email protected]

How to Fix or Replace a Window Screen

by Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A. 06/14/2020

Photo by Chris Thornton from Pexels

Thanks to screens, we can enjoy being outdoors without all the dirt and insects.  Open windows let the breeze in without letting in anything else, and we can picnic on our screened-in porches without the bug spray.  Screens can generally take a lot of wear and tear, but when subjected to winds, weather, and contact with people and pets, they start to break down.  Fortunately, they are often easy to repair without costly maintenance. In fact, window and door screen repairs can be straightforward DIY projects.

Screens usually come in either aluminum or fiberglass material.  Either of these can be patched if the damage is minor, such as a rip or hole just a few inches in length.  Hardware stores sell kits specific to the screen’s make and material for patching small holes. Alternately if you have spare screen fabric on-hand you can construct and apply a patch yourself.  Start by cutting an even shape around the rip, like a square or rectangle. Place a piece of waxed paper under the hole so the adhesive does not stick to your workspace. Dab a light layer of an adhesive like super glue or rubber-based glue along the edge of the hole--you could use a toothpick or small paintbrush for this step.  Cut a patch out of your roll of spare screen that is about a half-inch larger than the hole.  Center the patch over the hole and press it onto the cut edges of the hole, allow to dry completely.  

If the damage is larger or if you would just prefer to replace the entire screen, this won’t cost you much time or effort either. 

  1. Locate a clear, flat workspace and lay the screen down flat. Use a flat instrument like a flathead screwdriver to remove the rubber screen retainer spline from the screen’s frame so you can remove the old screen.  Check to see if the spline is visibly cracked or weathered. If it is, replace it along with the screen material. 
  2. Measure the screen then cut the replacement screen to size using tin cutters or heavy-duty scissors. Allow yourself a few extra inches on each side to make installation a little easier. 
  3. Center the new screen on the frame and pull it tight over the frame edges. Secure it in place with strong tape. 
  4. Using a screen spline roller tool, fit the screen firmly down into the indentation on the frame while pulling it taut, then use the tool to push the rubber spline back into the indentation over the new screen.  Once the spline rests tightly down in the indentation, closely trim any excess screen around all the edges.  

If you are constructing a porch or outdoor kitchen and planning for a large amount of screen, you may want to consider using thin posts or vertical slats between large screen ‘windows’ instead of expanses of uninterrupted screen.  This lets you take down individual screens to repair or replace instead of more costly, larger-scale fixes.

About the Author
Author

Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A.

In her role as a real estate and relocation specialist in South Florida and Northern Virginia, Ady Artime prides herself on providing the highest level of service, confidentiality and professionalism to her clients. Based on her own experience as a government liaison, Ady is in familiar territory working with high powered individuals. She possesses a discreet and confidential work ethic, and her keen eye, attention to detail, and experience with multi-million dollar properties have earned her a high-profile, loyal clientele that expect the best from their realtor.

Known for her expertise and strong background in interior design, she stands out from other real estate agents. When a satisfied client says that Ady knows real estate "inside and out", the statement is to be taken literally. Over the course of her career, she has received recognition as an award-winning interior designer. She has designed and implemented interiors for countless luxury projects throughout the United States, and Europe. Her extensive knowledge of all facets of design, including working with architects and construction teams, led to a natural progression into the real estate arena and gives her a definite edge over the competition in serving her clients.

As and agent in South Florida and North Virginia, Ady lends her real estate expertise and design savvy to buyers and sellers. Ady's mission is to develop a faithful, repeat clientele by providing them with superior service and value. She is passionate about her work and takes the time to understand each client's needs and goals to accurately assess the options she provides. From overseeing the staging of a listed property in order to fetch the highest possible price to analyzing a potential purchase from a design and architectural perspective.