How to Repair a Window Screen that Has Become Loose from the Frame

Damaged window screen? Instead of ordering a replacement screen from your favorite window center, it’s always worth trying to fix it so you don’t have to pay someone to do the job for you. Most contemporary metal clad screens are easy to repair using nothing more than a flat-tip screwdriver and a helper.

Metal clad window screens are typically made of three parts: the screen cloth, the metal frame, and a rubbery rope thing called a spline. The spline has the job of anchoring the screen cloth in place, and fits snugly into a small groove that runs perpendicular to the inside edge of the frame. When someone pushes a hand through the screen, the screen slides out from under the spline to become loose.

Here’s how I recently repaired a window screen in one of my rentals that had become loose from the frame:

1. Set the broken screen on a flat surface. Have your helper pull the mesh of the screen tightly into the corner so that it overlaps the frame. Have him hold the screen firmly in place while you make the repair.

2. Using the screwdriver as a pry bar, gently roll the spline into the grooves found along the edge of the frame while your helper keeps a tight pull on the screen. What seemed to work best for me was to start in the corner and work outwards. If you find it too difficult to press the spline into the grooves using your fingers, use the tip of the screwdriver instead, taking care not to slip.

3. Continue pressing the spline into the groove until finished. The screen should be taut; if it’s not, lift out the spline and try again. It may take a couple of tries to get it right!

As long as your screen is off the window, this is a great time to give it a thorough washing. I use hot, soapy water and a foam sponge to scrub the grime off my window screens followed by a thorough rinsing from the garden hose. To prevent water from damaging the window sills, I make sure that the screen is completely dry before reinstalling it back on the window.

More From This Contributor:

How to fix a leaky watering wand.
No electricity? 5 easy things to try first.
20 amazing uses for fireplace ash.