Don't Replace Your Screens - Repair Them!

It's easy to replace your screens, If you do it the right way! If you do not do it carefully, however, you will end up making more work for yourself because you will have to replace everything.

There are screens for windows and screen doors.

Door screens are on rollers which are on springs and can be easily lifted out. All it takes is to tilt it out at the bottom to clear the frame, and let the screen down. Don't force this operation, and don't tilt it too far. Above all, don't twist the frame because if you bend the frame or brake the rollers, you will be replacing more than a screen!

Screens for windows are usually held in place by springs that are attached to the frame at the top or sides of the screen.

There are tabs built into the frame that you sue to lift the screen up and out. Once you have one corner out, once again make sure you do not twist the frame. Since screens are not removed that frequently, they can stick so you have to be careful about this step.

Once removed, lay the screen on a flat surface. If the frame is painted, you may want to put down some cushioning to protect the finish. Remove screws and stays. A spline-a thin piece of rubber threading-is what holds the screen in place in the channel of the screen. Find hate end o f the spline and loosen it with a screwdriver or tweezers and gently pull hate entire length free. The screening will come out easily. Just continue to be careful not to twist the frame. Replacement screening mesh is sold in rolls at hardware stores, or on line. If you buy a kit, it will come with its own replacement spline. Measure the screen and order enough to cover, with some leftover. You will need a spline roller, with is a tool that has a metal roller on one end. It looks a bit like a pizza slicer.

Measure the inner frame and the mesh opening. Always measure twice and cut once, as hey say on This Old House.

Then cut the mesh, with about 2/10Th inch extra margin. Just enough to work with, but not too much that it will extend past the channel and have to be cut.

While the channel is empty, clean out any debris in it. Then put the screening mesh on top of the frame and stretch it tight. Working Wit someone else at this point will make it easier. Using the tools, push the spline into the channel, being careful not to have any twists.

It is not necessary to measure and precut the spline. You can just work it all hate way in, stretching it as you go, and then cut off the excess when you are done. Keep the mesh taut and tight all the while, and keeping the lines of the screening material parallel to the frame.

And, of course, don't bend the frame during this process either.

Don't end the spline at a corner, since there is a lot more tension at corners that may cause the spline to come out.

Now cut off the spline and push the end into the channel. Clean out the channel that the repaired screen is going to go into. Put the screen back in place by using hate tabs on the frame and adjusting so there is no space. Uh, and don't bend the frame.

See Also : CRT HDTV