Repairing or Replacing Window Screens

Repairing/replacing a window screen is really easy today. Start by measuring your old screen frame. The required rolls of screening materials in metal or fiber-mesh screening are available at most hardware and home-improvement supply stores. The old way to repair a hole in a screen was to apply a patch over the small hole. Now there was a good reason for this. The older style screen windows were made from wood frames and you would have to take the frame apart to get the whole screen out and they were a heavy gage metal screen which is harder to work with. A task most would not under take. Just a little history of the screen window. I have been rehabbing houses for years so I have become familiar with the old and new styles out there. Also if you still have the older wood frame and metal screens you will have to use the patch type repair method or take the wood frame apart.

Now, once you have your screen size, you can purchase the roll of screening that matches the rest of your house. The new frames hold the screen in place with what is called a ribbing/cord that slips into a u-shaped channel on the outside edge of your screen. This ribbing/cord can become brittle with age and can be replaced at the same time. The ribbing/cord can be found with the screening material at the store also. Make sure you either look closely at what you have or just cut off a small piece and take it with you. It does come in different sizes, so make sure to get the correct size. It is easy to match up with old. The cord can be re-used sometimes, but it is just easier to replace it with new. None of these materials cost much at all. Sometimes they have a little tool for screen installation in the same area, the tool is inexpensive and works well. I highly recommend the purchase of the screen installation tool.

It is now time to remove the old screen and ribbing/cord from the frame. Take the new screen and lay it over the frame. There should be a 1 inch over hang on all sides. Take the ribbing/cord and start to push it back into the u-shape channel. This will draw the screen in and hold it in place. Start at either the top or bottom of the frame and pulling the screen taught so it will not sag in the frame. The tool has a roller on it that is concave and pushes the ribbing/cord right into place. You can use a screw driver or a flat edge to push it in also. Be careful not to slip and put a new hole in the new screen if you use a screw driver or flat edge to put the ribbing/cord in. I learned this the hard way as I did not see the screen installation tool years back and spent way more time then what was needed. The excess screen just needs to be trimmed off. This can be done with a utility knife or razor knife.

There. You’re done!

Now, if you’re still not up for this simple repair and you have newer windows with fiber-mesh screens and metal frames, you can find the whole screen replacement window in many sizes at your local home improvement supply store.