Replacing a Screen

Mosquitoes are slowly but surely invading your home through a damaged screen. You know that it’s time for something to be done, you’re reminded every time you notice the hole, but you always find an excuse to put it off. And yet, it will take but a few minutes of your time to rid your home of the pesky intruders once and for all. Go ahead! There’s no reason to put it off any longer – you can make it happen!
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Screen Types
Repairing Instead of Replacing
1. Removing the Damaged Screen
2. Installing the New Screen

Screen Types

Flexible, aluminium, nylon, vinyl coated nylon… Which type of screen to choose? From the outset, flexible screening is harder to find these days as the material tends to dry in the sun and, as a result, has lost some of its lustre on the marketplace. Though aluminium screening, sold for around $1.80 per linear foot (typically sold in three foot widths), is strong, it has a tendency to get dented and stay dented. Nylon, aesthetically appealing and offered in white, black, grey or green, sells for around 20¢ less per linear foot than aluminium, but is also less resistant. At $5 per linear foot, vinyl coated nylon may be a more expensive solution but it is very solid and does not remain dented after being hit. However, the thicker gauge and black colour of the screen mesh may prove a little sombre for some installations. Finally, with its tighter mesh links designed to keep out the smallest of intruders, double-stepped screening will even stop no-see-ums and other tiny insects from invading your indoor environment.

Repairing Instead of Replacing

Most small tears can easily be repaired, with results that are more or less noticeable. So, if the damaged part of the screen is hidden from view or in an obscure location, why not simply repair it?

For tears in nylon screens, sew the two sides of the tear together using thread of the same colour as the screen. For less noticeable repair jobs, you can try gluing the sides together using waterproof glue and then removing the thread once the glue is dry. Another option: place a piece of screen over the damaged area and sew its entire contour onto the screen using the same coloured thread.

You can use nearly the same method to repair aluminium screens, but without resorting to the needle and thread: cut out a square piece of aluminium screening in such a way that the entire contour of the square is comprised of small metal end pieces (producing a finished product that looks like this: #), bend these end pieces to 90 degree angles and place the patch over the area to be repaired. Bend the end pieces over the screen mesh to secure the patch and finally, cut and remove the damaged portion of the screen (a square piece smaller than the patch).

If the screen is beyond repair or if the damaged area is in a noticeable location, the entire screen must be replaced.

1. Removing the Damaged Screen

Modern screens, whether anchored in aluminium, PVC or wood frames, almost all use the same principle: the screen is held in place using spline, typically made of rubber or vinyl, recessed into a channel in the frame. Sometimes, the channel is then concealed with small mouldings.

1.1 

Remove the moulding, if applicable, by prying it loose with a flathead screwdriver. If the moulding has paint over it, use a utility knife to cut the paint joint.

1.2 

Using the flathead screwdriver again, pry the edge of the spline to loosen it from the channel, pull it gently, and then remove the damaged screen. If the spline is in good condition, save it for reuse.

1.3 

Take the time to clean the frame and, in the case of a patio-door, check the top and bottom rollers to ensure proper functionality; lubricate rollers as required.

Warning: Aluminium frames can easily bend. Lay the frame on a flat surface and keep it completely flat during the repair procedure.

2. Installing the New Screen

If the old spline is in good condition, you can use it to install the new screen. If the spline is dry, brittle or damaged, replace it. Make sure you replace it with an identical product as there are several sizes on the market.

2.1 

Spread the new screen over the entire frame. Make sure the screen overlaps each of the four sides of the frame by at least 5 cm (2 in.).

2.2 

Starting from a corner of the frame, use your thumb to recess the spline into the channel. Then, using the spline roller, secure the spline right up to the next corner and cut off the excess.

2.3 

Make sure that the screening still overlaps each side of the frame. Stretch the screening as much as possible and install spline into the channel opposite the side you just completed.

2.4 

Use the same technique to install spline into the two remaining channels while ensuring that the screen remains taut and crease free.

2.5 

Slide your utility knife along the length of the splines to remove any excess screening.

2.6 

Reinstall the mouldings if applicable.
And there you have it! Your screen is already repaired or replaced. No more buzzing in your ear at three in the morning! Just a few minutes work for a full night’s sleep – Now wasn’t that well worth the effort!
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