Although they normally last a very long time eventually most of us will need to replace our window screens due to damage or maybe age.
The process of replacing a window screen is not that difficult and only requires a few basic tools. However because there is a little skill needed you might find that the first time you attempt this you might end up needing to redo your work to get better results.
The first thing that you need to do is inspect your screens and find out what type you have. Most newer homes have a nylon type material and older homes may still use metal screens.
Screen doors may have a mixture of metal and nylon screen materials and because the metal screens are more durable you might want to replace nylon screens with metal.
You can also purchase screen that is said to be pet resistant.. how well that works will depend on your pet but it is probably a better choice if you know you have a problem.
In addition to the type of material that is used in your screens is the color of the screen and its ability to block out light.
Similar to window tint … screen can com in a variety of different colors and blockout levels. This is especially important in areas that get a lot of sun and it can reduce your cooling costs but more so it will make you more comfortable. People in most southern states should look for screens that block sunlight while still allowing you to see out your windows.
Replacing Window and Door Screen
Once you have purchased your replacement screen and screen beading tool you want to carefully remove your old screen.
Place your screen on a flat hard level surface like your garage floor.
Find the end of your beading rope and use a smallscrew driver to get it out of the bead channel.
If you have something smaller like a pick or an awl that will work better but a small screwdriver should work well enough to get the bead end out.
Pull the beading rope out slowly as not to stretch, break or distort it.
If you do happen to break the bead you can purchase more but most likely you can reuse it.
If your screen came out undamaged you should measure it’s width. This will give you a good idea of how much screen will be needed when you are replacing it with new screen.
Roll your new screen over your screen frame and cut it long by about 4 inches.
Inspect the edge of the screen to make sure there are no manufacturing flaws that need to be worked around then align the long end of the screen with the frame.
You want to make sure that you are installing the screen so it will be square in the frame and the rows of square openings will be level..
Inserting the bead will eat up 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of material so make sure you have enough extra screen to force down into the opening.
Start the bead and use your beading tool to insert the whole long length of one side then adjust the screen for tightness and insert the opposite side.
VERY IMPORTANT this is where first timers go wrong.
When you are installing the opposite side bead the center of the frame will tend to bow in and be a smaller width then the corners that are supported.
So it is important that you make sure that the middle width remains the same. You can place tape on the floor or maybe even tape the frame to the floor if you need to.
BUT before you cut your screen make sure you measure along the opening with a tape measure. The screen frame should remain the same width at the top center and bottom of the opening.
If not remove the bead and try over.. If you damage the screen you will need to use a new piece. Metal screen is less forgiving then nylon.
When you are done replace the screen frame in the window or door it came from.
Always make sure that the same screen goes back into the same window or you may have size problems.