| Repairing a Screen |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-414 |
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Q: I have a tear in a window screen. Can I repair it, or should I just replace it? A: Unless they're heavily damaged, screens can be repaired fairly easily. In fact, if the screen is the softer, fiberglass type, a small tear (figure A) can be repaired with a needle and thread. A metal screen requires a patch made from a spare section of screen. Following are tips for repairing a fiberglass screen.
Quick-Fix for a Minor Tear in Fiberglass Screen Materials: Sewing kit -- needle and thread
Scissors
Steps: - To fix a small tear in a fiberglass screen, simply use an ordinary needle and sewing thread in a color that matches the screen material (figure B). After threading the needle, it will help to bend the needle slightly -- creating a curve that will make it easier to work the needle in and out of the screen mesh.
- Using the bent needle makes the process easier, since you can usually work from one side of the screen (figure C), rather than having to go back and forth between the "in" side and the "out" side.
- Start at the top of the tear, working your way down to the bottom. When you reach the bottom of the tear, tie off the thread as you would if repairing fabric. Cut away any excess thread. If you take your time, working the thread in and out carefully, the repair won't be too obvious.
Fixing a Badly Damaged Fiberglass Screen For larger tears, or more significant damage (figure D), you'll need to replace the screen fabric -- a fairly easy repair. You'll need to purchase some replacement screen-fabric. Screen fabric comes in rolls and is available in varying widths from home centers. Depending on the damage, you may also need to replace the spline -- the soft-plastic cording that holds the screen in the frame. Materials: Replacement screen-material (for larger tear or damage)
Replacement screen-spline (optional)
Spline tool
Scissors
Utility knife
Steps: - Once you've removed the screen frame from the window, lay the frame on a flat surface and roll out the replacement screen material across the frame (figure E).
- Roll out enough screen that it covers the entire frame. Make a cut across the roll, cutting off a sufficient amount of screen so that some excess hangs over the edges an all four sides.
- Remove the old screen. The screen is held in the frame by a plastic spline that runs along a channel around the perimeter of the frame. Use a nail-punch or other sharp object to loosen the end of the spline and pull it up from the channel (figure F).
- Once you've loosened the end of the spline, it's a simple matter to pull the spline out of the frame and remove the old screen (figure G).
- To install the new piece of screen material, you can use the old spline (provided that it's not damaged), or replace it with new spline (figure H), which is inexpensive and can be purchased in rolls.
- Tip: Old spline tends to harden with age, and can become cracked or brittle. When repairing an older screen, it's advisable to replace the spline.
- Lay the piece of new screen across the frame.
- Tip: When laying the new screen over the frame, lay it out with the curved or concave side down (figure I). This will make it easier to install the screen and ensure that the new piece lays flat in the frame.
- Use a splining tool to install the spline into the frame. Use the flat-roller end of the splining tool first, to push the screen down into the frame's channel (figure J). Use the roller to work your way all the way around the frame.
- Once you've creased the screen all the way around the frame, begin placing the spline in the channel. Begin in a corner (figure K), and use your fingers to push the spline into the channel, working your way around the perimeter of the screen.
- Use the grooved roller on the splining tool (figure L) to then follow up, pushing the spline down into the channel -- securing the screen in the channel (figure M). Again, begin in one location, and work your way around the entire frame.
- Strive to install the material so that it is neat and flat, but don't worry about getting the screen overly tight.
- Once the screen has been secured in the frame, use a utility knife to cut away the excess screen material. Use caution when cutting the excess screen, and cut along the frame just on the outside of the spline (figure N).
RESOURCES :
HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV
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