How to Repair Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

How to Fix Window & Door Screens

How to Fix Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

A screened porch or screens in your door and windows are a beautiful thing when you want to enjoy the fresh air outside but don’t want to invite mosquitos to feast on you. Today I’ll show you How to Fix Window or Door Screens so you can enjoy the warm weather without the bugs.

How to Fix Window & Door Screens:

You want to enjoy the outdoors but not when it involves becoming a meal for mosquitos or flies. Fixing a damaged porch screen, window or door screen isn’t very difficult. I’m happy to show you how to make screen repairs.

How to Repair a Small Hole:

How to Repair Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

If you only have a small hole you can repair the screen with a screen repair patch (affiliate link.) I like the Screenmend brand patch for repairs because it doesn’t stay sticky attracting dirt or pollen. This is definitely a quick and easy solution. You will notice the patch, so it may not be a good option for a small hole that is smack in the middle of your screens. However, the repair patch is a good option for repairing the hole until you have time to replace the entire screen.

Measure your hole and cut the patch material at least an inch larger than your hole.

How to Repair Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

Gently press the patch over the hole. Line up the grid pattern on the patch and the screen.

How to Repair Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

Use a hair dryer to melt the glue in the patch. Continue to heat the patch for 60 seconds.

How to Repair Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

Press gently on the patch to make sure it is well secured to the screen.

How to Repair Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

Now those pesky bugs will have to find a new meal source because you’re safe!

How to Repair Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

How to Repair or Replace Screen Secured by a Spline:

Most modern screen doors and windows are secured with a spline into a groove around the frame. Depending on your screen’s condition you may be able to simply remove a section of spline and repair loose screen.

How to Repair Window & Door Screens | Pretty Handy Girl

If the screen is damaged, remove the entire spline and cut a new screen larger than the damaged screen.

Get a grip on the spline with small needle-nosed pliers. Gently lift it out of the track to make your repair.

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

You may also be able to pry up the spline with a Painter’s 5-in-1 tool (affiliate link).

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

Grab the edge of the screen that has come loose with pliers and pull taut (but don’t pull too hard that you’ll rip the screen.)

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

Press the spline back into the groove.

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

Use a spline tool (affiliate link) to roll along the spline and reset it in the track.

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

If you had to replace the entire screen, use a sharp utility knife (affiliate link) to trim the excess screen.

How to Replace the Screen Secured by Moulding:

If your screen edges are hidden by pieces of wooden moulding. You will need to remove the moulding to replace the screen. There can be a bead of caulk securing the moulding in place. Use a utility knife to score the caulk.

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

Use a thin prybar or 5-in-1 painter’s tool (affiliate link) to pry off the moulding.

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

Work from one end to the other slowly prying up a little at a time so as not to damage the moulding.

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

Use pliers to remove the staples securing the screen in place. Remove the damaged screen. Trace the old screen onto a new sheet of screen. Secure the new screen by stapling it to the frame.

Re-attach the moulding using a nailgun and nails just long enough to secure the moulding.

Fixing Common Screen Door Problems | Pretty Handy Girl

Congratulations on your repair. Now you can call yourself the screen master!

You might also find this tutorial on replacing a screen door closer helpful:

Easy Fix for a Screen Door Hydraulic Closer | Pretty Handy Girl

Enjoy the warm weather and inhale all that fresh air.

PHGFancySign

3 replies
  1. Sophia Slate
    Sophia Slate says:

    Thank you for your great tips on how to replace your screen door. My screen door got a hole in it and needs to be replaced. I will definitely utilize all of your great tips and information when trying to fix my screen door.

    Reply

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