Don’t you love to save money? I mean I love to spend money as well, but the truth is I am frugal when it comes to paying people to do jobs I can do myself. When I decided to tackle our beat-up screens with holes and tears I seriously saved big money!
I don’t know about you, but I like to do DIY projects where I create. Give me something to paint, bake, craft, or design and I am really happy! It gives me a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.
When it comes to enjoying DIY home fixes…not so much. Home fixes just don’t have the same allure, necessary as they may be. However, as I mentioned I saved big money on this home fix and that makes up for the lack of excitement!
My Screens Were Bad!
We’ve been in this house for 6 years, but it was built in 2004. I’m pretty sure the former owners never put new screens in and up until this point we hadn’t either. However, with Fall being here and the mornings and evenings getting a little cooler, we wanted to have the doors open. But this year we have a problem…flies. We were overtaken by flies this year and they were getting in through the holes in our screens in droves. Plus my Honey-Don’t is a mosquito magnet. A tiny hole in a screen is all it takes for them to coordinate a home invasion and find him!
Just for kicks, I decided to call my local hardware store to get a quote on having my screens replaced. After all, it couldn’t be THAT much and there were other jobs I wanted to do. When they told me the price would be $45 per screen door and $35 per window screen I almost fell over!!! I had 6 screen doors and 4 windows to do…that’s $410! Like I said, BIG MONEY! Plus I was going to have to deliver them to the store, go back and pick them up and it would take 2 weeks! The flies and mosquitos were not going to wait 2 weeks.
That was all I needed. The thought of saving that kind of money motivated me and I knocked out all 6 screen doors and 4 window screens in just a few hours. Of course, once I started it I couldn’t remember why I had put it off for so long. It was a breeze, and if I’m honest, those old, dusty screens with holes in them really looked bad and I should have done it a lot sooner!
Tools And Materials You Will Need
- Replacement screening (fiberglass, aluminum, etc)
- Spline – most likely .125 size or .140 size
- Spline Roller Tool
- Tape measurer
- Scissors
- Flat-head screwdrivers
- *Single edge razor blade or utility knife
*I highly recommend getting a package of these straight-edge razors in the safety dispenser. I always have a pack of them handy and use them for tons of things around the house. These razors are probably not any better than others, but the safety dispenser is fantastic! A brand new blade will make your screen replacement so much easier!
What Is Spline And The Spline Tool?
The tools you need are minimal, and you probably have most of them at home. The one exception is the spline rolling tool. Spline is the long, rubber piece that fits in the groove of a metal door/window screen frame to hold the screen in place. The Spline Tool is specially designed to push and roll the spline into the groove and you can’t do the job without one. But no big deal…Spline Tools are really cheap!
Note: This blog talks about replacing screens in METAL frames. If your frames are housed in wood, that is a different process.
How Do I Choose The Right Spline?
Spline for residential screens usually is one of two sizes, .125 (1/8″) or .140 (9/64″). To be sure of what you need, measure the spline groove on your screen frame. Your spline size should match the spline groove width. If you use specialty screening, double-check the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What Kind Of Screen Material Should I Use?
- Fiberglass is the strongest type of screen material and comes in charcoal and black.
- Aluminum screen provides good visibility, but can be more easily damaged.
- There are other specialty materials available such as sunlight blockers, pet-proof, and copper, but these are sometimes more expensive.
Be sure to measure the width and length of your frame openings so you can order the right size and amount of screen material.
My screens are fiberglass, so that is what I used to replace my screens. I used aluminum once before, but my spline tool slipped and went right through the screen I had just replaced! So unless you have special requirments I recommend fiberglass material.
Let’s Get Started!
Remove Doors and Screens From the House
The first step of this project is to remove the doors and screens from your house. If you have screens to replace on metal doors, unscrew the hinges from the frame and remove the entire door. Take the time to save the screws and any hardware in a small bowl or ziplock, you don’t want to lose them. Screens from windows are a lot easier and typically just pop out.
Remove The Old Spline And Screen
Lay the screen on a flat surface. I really like to use my picnic table, because the work surface is higher, so it is easier on the back! If you are working on a door, a table also makes it easier if the handle sticks out because you can hang the handle partially over the edge, making the door more level.
Now find the spot where there is a gap in the old spline. I used a tiny flat-head screwdriver to pry the end of the spline up out of its groove. From there I pulled the spline completely out and remove the old screen.
Cut Your New Screen
Measure and cut your new screen, leaving a few inches extra on all sides of the frame. Lay the screen out over the frame, making sure the screen is straight and square. Screening does have a subtle pattern and it will be noticeable if it is laid out askew. TIP: I like to cut the screen with enough extra that it comes to the bottom of the frame I am working on. I know if the screening is matched up with the bottom edge of the frame, it is fairly even.
Install The New Screen And Spline
- Starting at one corner, and with the screen laid out underneath, press the end of the spline into the corner of the screen frame, using the concave (grooved) wheel of the spline tool. Don’t cut the spline off from the roll until you are done.
- Move the roller along the spline, pushing the screen and spline into the frame channel. Don’t attempt to work ahead to get the spline partially in place. Spline stretches as you install it, so you have to press it in as you go.
- As you round the corners, press the spline in with a small screwdriver. Be careful not to slip and cut the screen.
- When you come around to the second side of the screen, use your other hand to pull gently on the edge of the loose screen, keeping it stretched, but not overly tight. Pushing the screen into the groove will tighten it as you work around the frame. If you notice any sagging or bunching in spots, just pull the spline out a bit and adjust your grip on the screen, then start again on the spline.
- When you reach the corner where you started, leave a small gap, cut the spline with scissors and press the end into the channel.
- Position the razor blade above the spline and run it along the frame, cutting away all the excess screen.
That’s it! just reinstall your doors and window screens and you are finished! That wasn’t so bad and I know you saved big money just like I did!
I hope you found this tutorial helpful and as always please let me know if you have questions or comments. I would love if you would share this on Pinterest and subscribe to my email list!
