How to Repair Window Screens

A torn or dirty window screen can be a pesky problem, but fixing it is easy.  Here's how to ensure your window screens are secure and doing their job.

Before putting window screens up in spring, do annual checks.

• In aluminum screens you may need to reseat the gaskets that hold the screen material taut. Wooden screens tend to work loose at joints and around the screen bead.
• If you need to resecure the bead with new nails, use very small ones to prevent cracking the molding.
• Cover nail heads, and paint exposed wood and nails to match the rest of the screen. Fix loose corners with metal corner braces.

These days, screens may be made of metal, fibreglass or plastic and each require different repair materials and techniques.

• To repair gnat-sized holes in metal screens, use tweezers to straighten the rigid strands of broken wire, and dab a bit of clear silicone adhesive, clear fingernail polish or quick-drying adhesive on the spot until a thin film forms.
• For larger holes, cut away any damaged wire that remains in the hole. Patch with a compatible metal screen patch, or make a patch from a leftover screen.
• Select a rectangular piece about five centimetres (two inches) larger than the hole in all directions.
• Pull away the outside wires on the edges of the patch to make a one centimetre (1⁄2 inch) fringe of wire on each side.
• Bend the fringe wires on each side over a block of wood to make sharp right angles around the patch.
• Position the patch over the hole, threading the wire through the screen mesh until the patch lies flat on the screen.
• Working from the other side of the screen, use tweezers to fold the fringes over to hold the patch in place.
• Secure the edges with adhesive or clear nail polish. Repair a small tear in a plastic or fibreglass screen with a No. 18 tapestry sewing needle and very fine nylon fishing line.
• Use a zigzag sewing stitch to avoid puckering.
• Seal the stitches with clear silicone adhesive, clear nail polish or quick-drying glue. If you have a large hole or tear, take the screen to your local full-service hardware store to have the screening replaced.

1. Lay the window screen flat and, using a screwdriver, pry up the flexible spline (or gasket) that holds the screen material in the grooved frame. Discard the old spline and the torn screening.
2. Take the old screening to a hardware store and purchase a piece of the same material of the same outside dimensions. Also equip yourself with an inexpensive tool called a spline roller and splining rope.
3. Centre the screening on the frame. Take diagonal snips off the corners of the material and, using the spline roller, proceed to push the screening into the groove that runs down one side of the frame. Cut a length of spline to fit, and force it all the way into the groove, tightening the hold on the screen underneath.
4. Repeat the steps on the other three sides, keeping the screening as taut in the frame as possible. Cut off excess material outside the spline when done.

Old screens need cleaning once a year.

• Lean the screen against the base of the house, and apply water with a hose to the entire surface.
• Let it dry, and check to see that none of the openings in the mesh remains blocked.
• If necessary, scrub the screen with a brush, dabbing gently so that bristles poke through to clean the mesh.

Following these simple steps will help keep your window screens maintained and fully functioning.