REPLACE a WINDOW SCREEN

Don't be intimidated. Replacing a damaged window screen is really easy to do.

1. A damaged screen taken out of the window and laid on a flat surface. (You can actually do this entire process without taking the screen out of the window since the rubber splines face outwardly.)

2. A spline roller.

3. A utility knife.

4. Pliers

5. New screening cut at least an inch or two oversized all around. Yes, you want an overhang.

See that stringy thing in the third picture. That is a SPLINE. That is what holds the screen in the frame. It's a continuous piece of rubber that holds in the screen. Find where the spline starts, grab the very end and remove it. Save the spline. You will reuse it. Now remove the damaged screen.

Start in any corner, press the end of the spline in with the SPLINE ROLLER and gently continue pressing until you reach the first bend. Caution: it is easy to slip and ruin your new screen. Take your time and press the spline firmly into the grove. When you get to the end of the first bend you will probably see a bend in the spline itself where the corner used to be. It is now ahead of where you're installing the spline. That is because the spline stretches. By the time you get to the end, you'll have to cut off some excess. This bend will straighten out as you continue to install the spline to complete two sides.

Pull the screen to tighten it a bit as you continue up the third side. Continue on the final side and cut off any excess spline. Hang on to it for a few days in case the spline you just installed shrinks, threatening to loosen the screen. You can always add a piece to fill the gap.

This is where I've messed up by rushing. You are going to cut away the excess screening with the utility knife. Stay on the outside of the spline, lay the point of the blade against the metal frame of the screen pointing away from the new screen you just installed. And cut. It would be a shame to slip and cut through your new screen, wouldn't it? So just take your time. When done, put the screen back in the window.

Thanks for stopping by The Little Shop of Jarfold. Any questions, please ask.

Hope you enjoyed.

KJ