The sign of a good replacement job is a taut, wrinkle-free screen. Use C-clamps to hold the screen to the frame on one side while you stretch the screen across and attach it to the opposite side.
Install the screen by using a spline roller, which has two wheels: the convex wheel presses the new screen down into a channel in the frame; the concave wheel presses spline into the channel on top of the screen.
Screening comes in fiberglass or several colors of aluminum wire. Aluminum is significantly stronger and usually a more durable product. Fiberglass is much easier to work with, and it won’t corrode. So it may be a good choice in seacoast locations.

Step by step
First, you remove the old spline, which is what holds the screen in place. You might need to use a knife to pry up one end to get started. Take the old screen out and set the new screen over the frame.
Press one side of the new screen into the channel with the smooth wheel of the spline roller. Use short strokes.
Now lay the spline over the channel and press it into place with the tool’s grooved wheel. Use short strokes for this too. Keep the screen tight as you work one whole side, then the opposite side.
When the spline is all in, trim off the excess screen.

Professional tip
If the old spline is in good shape, you can just wash it in warm, soapy water and reuse it. If the old spline is worn out, take it with you to the hardware store so you can match its diameter.

If you have wood frame windows please use the tips from the article How to replace the screen on wood frame windows.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!