Replacing Window Screens – A Guide
Having proper tools and materials make the replacement of window screens an easy job. A spline tool is needed to push the rubber spline into a grove. Other required items include a roll of screen that may be of aluminum or vinyl and some rubber spline.
All these needed items are available at most of the home stores. But, before you go out to buy these, you should measure the size of your screen frame. That is to ensure that you buy the right width of material to fit your frame. Of the screening materials, aluminum provides better looks while vinyl is more durable. Please note that vinyl is darker and care should be taken to ensure that the color of material matches that of your screens.
For replacing screen, using a thin small screwdriver, pick out the existing spline out from its groove, holding the screen in its position. Once you are able to locate a starting point for the spline, pull it out to remove its entire length. You’ll see that the old screen comes out automatically. You should ensure that all the spline is removed. Now clear the groove of residue, if any.
Next, you have to measure and cut the new screen. It will help to you use the old screen as a template for the purpose. Now lay the new screen along the frame while ensuring to have the same amount of overlap all around. Then, starting from any one corner, use the splining tool for pressing a new piece of spline into the grove while simultaneously inserting and pushing in the new screen along with. You should be slow and careful to keep the screen centered on the frame to prevent its buckling.
On coming to the end, neatly cut the spline and press the two ends together into the same corner from where you had started. For getting a neat look, trim the excess of screen material from around the edges and there you are with a new screen.
Proceed in the same manner with the rest of the screens.