How To Repair Damaged Window Screen

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Whether your window screen is torn or merely completely falling apart, the skillful news is yous can totally ready it yourself at domicile. This commodity will teach you how to stitch upward small tears, patch bigger ones, and supervene upon an unabridged window screen if information technology'due south really damaged. Check out the steps below to get started!

1

Remove the screen from the window, keeping information technology within its frame. Usually, window screens popular out easily, but they can be held in by small clips. Check for clips before you try to remove the screen and, if present, unfasten each i. When you lot've removed the screen, lay it downward on a flat surface.^[1]
ii
Take out the window spline. ^[ii] A window spline is a rubber or plastic strip that holds the screen in the frame. When replacing your window screen, you will need to remove and replace the spline also.^[3] Employ a flathead screwdriver to pry the spline out and, when it's fully removed, throw it abroad.^[iv]
- Replacement splines can exist purchased at most hardware or home repair stores.
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3
Cutting your new screen out of mesh fabric. ^[5] Purchase a roll of mesh material from a nearby hardware shop, then cutting it into a rectangle 1–2 inches (2.5–5.i cm) larger than your screen.^[6] If the new screen is besides big, you can always trim it with a utility knife.^[seven]
- If you lot do not need to completely supplant your window screen, skip this step.
- Aluminum mesh is popular because it is sturdier than other screen meshes.^[eight]
four
Marshal the mesh screen to the frame. Continue the mesh material straight and taut to ensure an even fit.^[ix] Use a utility pocketknife to cut the replacement screen to size if it is too large. The cloth should slightly overlap on each side but not exceed one–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm).
- If you do not need to replace the mesh screen, keep your screen in its frame and proceed to the next step.
- Mesh material will ordinarily curve to ane side. Place the mesh in with the curved side downwardly so it is easier to work with.
5

Place a brick or heavy object in the center of the screen. A brick or other heavy object will help give your screen an even amount of slack and tension. Before y'all place the brick on the screen, identify the spline loosely around the corners of your frame and scroll the 2 side by side sides dorsum in. When you place the heavy object on the screen, you'll be able to prevent sagging.^[10]
six
Roll the residue of the window spline back into the screen. ^[11] When you've rolled in all 4 sides, remove the brick or heavy object from the screen.^[12] Put the screen back into the window and tighten any existing clips.
- If your window screen all the same seems loose, repeat the process once more with a lighter or smaller object.
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one
Unravel the strands surrounding the pigsty or tear. To prepare the screen for darning, unravel a few strands from the perimeter of the tear to employ as your thread. Every bit you do so, take care to not make the holes and tears any larger than they already are. One or 2 strands is more than enough.^[13]
- For larger holes or tears, you may not exist able to darn information technology. In this case, you may need to patch the hole.
2

Line up the screen seams neatly. Match the two ends of the screen evenly for a neat and secure seam. At that place should be little-to-no space gap in the middle. If yous cannot line up the two ends without leaving a noticeable hole in the middle, you may need to patch the screen instead of darning it.^[xiv]
three
Weave the strands through the screen with a sewing needle. Once the torn edges are lined up, utilise a needle to weave the thread through the screen strands. If you don't accept strands of screen material available or exercise non want to risk making the hole bigger, utilize a heavy-duty, polyester thread. Make the stitches as modest and identical as possible.
- Choose a needle with a big center that tin can accommodate the screen strand.
- If you take sewn the hole or tear and it is yet noticeable, cover it with a patch.
4

Finish darning the screen with a securing sew. A securing sew will prevent the darn from coming undone. Make a small stitch at the terminate of the hole or tear, then stitch over it once more. At the end of the sew, make a small knot and pull it tightly to finish the securing sew together.^[15]

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1
Cut the damaged area into a neat rectangle. Using a sharp knife, cut a clean hole around the screen tear to remove all irregularities. Make this new pigsty as small equally possible to keep the repair unproblematic. If the damaged area is already rectangular, trim the sides to make information technology fifty-fifty.^[16]
- If the damage takes upward more than than a quarter of the window screen, you may need to supercede the unabridged screen.
- Go out at to the lowest degree ^ane⁄₂ –i inch (one.3–ii.5 cm) of screen material betwixt the hole and the window frame. The closer a hole is to a frame, the harder it is to repair.
ii

Cutting a slice of patch screen material for the damaged area. The new patch should exist at least 1 inch (ii.five cm) larger than the rectangular hole. Any smaller and your patch may not deeply cover the hole. Measure the patch earlier you cutting to make sure you cut the right length.
3

Loosen the weaving around the opening and the patch. Slack ends around the openings volition help the patch attach to the damaged screen. Bend each cease on the sides of the patch at a 90-degree bending to assist information technology lock into the screen. Keep the ends of the opening flat.^[17]
iv
Weave the patch's ends through the screen. Work the bent ends of the patch through the open screen'south weaving. When they're locked in, bend the wires of the patch flat on the other side of the screen to hold the patch in identify.
- Some patches accept an adhesive bankroll while others exercise not. If yours does non, secure the patch with a clear, waterproof silicone mucilage.
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Question

How do I replace a window screen?

Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the historic period of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home comeback projects such as (merely not express to) lighting/electric, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, chiffonier installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs.

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Expert Answer

Screen rolls come in many sizes, colors, and thicknesses. Cull 1 that works for you window. And then, you'll need to discard the ripped screen and utilize a roller tool to smooth the new stuff into the metallic frame of the screen.

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Clean the window screen earlier you set up it to forbid clay or droppings from interfering with your repair work.
Window repair or replacement generally takes betwixt ane-ii hours when done without a professional person's aid.

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Things Y'all'll Demand

Brick
Needle
Sharp utility knife
Screen patch
Waterproof silicone glue (optional)
Heavy-duty polyester thread (optional)
Flathead screwdriver
Window screen material
Scissors
Window spline
Spline roller tool

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Article Summary X

To fix a window screen, start by removing the screen from the window and prying out the window spline with a screwdriver. And so, cut a new screen out of mesh material to fit your frame and place it within the frame. Lastly, roll a new window spline into the screen to secure the mesh. If you want to repair a small pigsty or tear, unravel the strands around the cutting. So, use a sewing needle and string to sew the screen back together. To learn more nigh fixing a window screen, like how to add a patch, read on!

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