Replacing a Window Screen 5-Steps

Replacing a window screen is an easy project and should take a novice 1 hour or less for the first window and even less as you move on to other screens.

Tools Needed

Utility knife
Flat headed screwdriver
Scissors
Spline rolling tool
Screen spline
Screen
Replacing a Window Screen Screen Type

When replacing a window screen is one thing but which type of screening should you use? I typically use what ever was in the broken screen so all the windows match. This is not always the case an I have swapped out materials, especially for screen doors, more on that below.

There are there basic types of screens:

Fiberglass
Aluminum / Bronze
Pet or Shade Screen
Fiberglass screening is the most common. It is flexible and easy to install, in fact if you make a mistake during the install you can remove the spline and start over as the fiberglass screening material does not have a crimp fold memory.

Tip: when installing fiberglass screening ensure that you keep the screen taunt and wrinkle free. Ive accomplished this by using clamps, a helper or adding weight to hold the excess screening hanging off the far end - tight! don't install the fiberglass too tight or you can warp the screen.

Aluminum screening is stronger, ore durable and my preference for screen porches. Unlike fiberglass screen, does dent and has a memory once dented, dinged or crimped. This means yo have one-shot of installing it, if you screw up , you'll need to start with fresh material.

Pet or Sun Screening has a thicker grid which restricts light, and like fiberglass is flexible to work with. This is helpful with keeping the sun out and helps reduce fabric and carpet fading. It is also a stronger material than fiberglass and aluminum screening, which makes it a fantastic screen of use in screen doors and in places often damaged by pets.

Replacing a Window Screen Replacing a Screen Steps

Step 1:

Remove the screen from the window frame and place it on a flat surface. Use a flat head screw driver to pry loose the rubber spline [roping] in the window screen frame. Pull this spline out of all four sides /grooves, that line the perimeter of the screen frame.

Discard the damaged screen and evaluate if you can reuse the spline. Dry battle spline should be replaced.

Tip: Use a pair of clamps or tape the hold the screen frame flat and secure while working.

Step 2:

Align your new screen over the frame opening. You can either use scissors to cut your screening material s so the it overlaps 1" on either side, or simply leave it long and overlap all sides, trimming later.

Step 3:

With the convex roller [pointy] of your spline roller, start in one corner of the screen frame and roll the screen into the grove of the frame. Go easy and do one side only then move to the next step.

Replacing a Window Screen Step 4:

Insert and roll spline into the grooved screen and screen frame. Depending on the screen frame you may need to cut the spline into four sections for it to fit lengthwise in the grooves.

Once the spline is installed, repeat Step 3 and 4 on adjoining screen frame groove. Work in this fashion until all four sides are installed.

Remember to hold the screen under pressure to keep the material taut, and prevent wrinkles or folds.

Step 5:

With a flat tip screwdriver, gently push the spline down, into the grooves in all four corners.

Using a sharp utility knife, trim the excess screen by cutting alone the spline. Hold the screen taut as you cut with the knife.

Replacing a Window Screen Cost

If a Pro was going to do this project for you they would charge approximately $75.00 per window in labor and approximately $15.00 in materials.

Once you purchase the spline roller you can plan on doing these repairs yourself for $10.00 per window screen. You can do this project yourself and save some money!

[dayay]

Thank you for making a video that’s not half an hour

[jasonvanderstel]

You saved thousands of people time by being quick, to the point, and easy to listen to. Clearly top quality content.

[Ikariada]

I'm a female senior citizen. I just replaced the screen on my balcony door. Success! Yeah! Tomorrow I'll replace it on a window. Thank you!

[tr]

I know this video is 7years old but I just replaced my screen door with the "pet screen" as my 2 cats completely destroyed the other one. It went amazing I followed every step and it took me 20min first time 🎉🎉

[opuslives]

Thanks Rob. Pet Peeve of mine. DIY Youtube videos that take 10 to 15 minutes when they only need to be 5 minutes. Thank you for making it short and to the point. It's exactly what I needed to see.

[thesheeplewillhavetheirsay]

From personal experience, here are three mistakes that a clutz (like me) should watch out for on the first screen:
1. Make sure you are doing the right side of the screen (the wrong side also has grooves, but the spline won't really fit into them without much effort....).
2. Make sure your screen is laid out the proper way to make the best use of screen material. Remember: the roll in only so long, so turn the screen (probably sideways), so that you can use each roll for as many screens as possible.
3. Double check which end of the roller you are using. If you use the sharp end (that looks like a pizza cutter), you will not be able to push the spline in (but you WILL be able to cut and ruin the screen The grooved end works.
Good luck! This job is easier than I imagined. I saved $450 by doing our ten windows myself.

[cannycahn]

What a great coach. I replaced my front door screen in less than 30 minutes! Great advice on tools and technique. You helped a 70 year-old widow be more self-reliant.

Everyone- opt for the higher-priced-but-sturdier spline tool.

THANK YOU!!!

[passwordpanda]

Thank you so much for this super helpful video! A word to anyone doing their own repair, don't make the screen TOO tight! I made mine super taught while installing the spline and now the frame is bowing in the middle. Learn from my mistake; give it a little give!

Thanks again for this great video!

[jayjohnson]

This totally got me over my fear of replacing the old ratty screens in my house. Thanks for the quick and super helpful tutorial!

[terilaw]

Your the only video I found that said to push the screen in to the grove FIRST, then place spline in. Great tip!!! Thank you!

[p.matthewgregory]

I agree with everyone here about how concise and informative you are. I wont even click on those 15 minute videos anymore. Thanks!

[algaeeater]

Invested 4 minutes watching the video and saved either $70 or hours of me bumbling along learning by trial and error. Thank you.

[freddyzepeda]

I know this video is old but ur a life saver man thanks...its the little things that make a difference keep up vids well appreciated 👍😎

[IDVDalot]

In my wildest dreams I would have never guessed that Robert Deniro would teach me how to replace my window screen. Thanks for this video!

[Bugsbunny]

Like the video - straight and too the point. Now I can charge my friends 75 dollars a window.

[GaveMeGrace]

Thank you—the instructions didn’t include that bit about cutting off the excess. You’ve saved me from trying to figure out how to jam it all in... mechanically challenged and grateful.

[seedilicious]

Subscribed because you said, "please consider subscribing" instead of, "SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON"

[jilliankrish]

Great video, short and sweet to the point thank you!

For those of you like me who decided on a whim to replace a screen that’s been needing to be replaced for months and don’t want to do to the store, a quarter also works as well to get the crease and then use a mullet or butt of a screwdriver to get the spline in.

Thanks again!

[Boni]

Can I just say, your video’s intro rocks particularly hard for a how-to. Well done.

[lauramihalenko]

Fantastic, easy to follow directions. Perfect, concise explanation. Watched the video, went out to buy supplies, and finished 2 windows in less than 90 minutes. Thank you!!!