Rescreening Masters

If you have kids it's only a matter of time before your window screens get punched out or develop a hole where nobody seems to know how it got there. The pro repair guys aren't cheap and the company that you bought your windows from may not even return your calls. So with that in mind, here is a simple way to rescreen a window so you can consider doing it yourself.

First you need to visit a local home supply company such as Home Depot or Menards or even a hardware store like True Value. There you'll purchase a roll of screen, a spline roller tool and the rubber insert (spline). The cost of all will be around $13 which is enough to do around three full size screens or one screen door.

Okay, you have your tools, now you need to remove the existing screen frame from the window. There are usually two types. The older version has tabs that you twist to unlock the frame from the slide. The newer models require you to push the screen frame to one side or the other. Which ever is mushy. Do that. Cramer windows, for example are that style. It wasn't readily apparent how they came out until I played around with it. Getting the frame out takes a little bit of effort. Start at the top or bottom and push hard to the one side and then pull the rest of the side out.

Now lay the frame on a flat surface. Remove the spine using a knife or screwdriver so pull out the end. Once started, pull it with your fingers to remove it around the entire frame. Now take out the screen itself and set this aside. If it's large enough to use as a replacement for a smaller window screen elsewhere in your house, then save it for that, otherwise just pitch it.

Open and unroll the new screen. Lay it on the frame and allow it to extend around the frame about an inch or so on each side. Pick a corner and press one end of the new spine into that. After you get it started, using the groove end of the spine tool, start working the rubber into the groove. As you move it around go down the side and around the edges, make sure to keep the screen as flat and taught as possible. You don't need to clamp it, but watch out for bulges.

Once you reach the end, cut the rubber insert to size and press the end into place. Now take a utility knife and run it round the edge to cut off the excess screen material. rescreening. rescreening. You can run it along the metal or down so it's just resting next to the spine. This makes for less chance of having the wire poking out.

All that's left is to put the screen frame back into the sliding frame in the reverse way you took it out. Now you're done. You saved money and learned another do-it-yourself project. Plus since you know how to do this type of project, now. you could even offer this as a service to others for a fee.