Screen material is made of fiberglass or metal.
Screens are installed to keep debris and insects outside. When a screen develops a rip or hole, everything you don't want to get inside--can. Most repairs can be accomplished with patches from similar screen mesh. If the damage is too big for a patch, you can replace the panel on a wooden frame screen. Aluminum screen frames are trickier, and often require an entire screen and frame replacement. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Repairing Screen with Patches
1. Measure the width and length of the rip. According to Home Tips, screen materials are metal or fiberglass. For fiberglass, dab a small rip with clear nail polish instead of patching.
2. Cut two patches of the same type mesh as the screen to be repaired (fiberglass feels like plastic; metal is rough with sharp edges) measuring ½ inch wider and longer than the place you are repairing, with wire cutters or utility scissors. Screen material and patch kits are available for purchase at home improvement stores.
3. Apply the appropriate adhesive to the screen patch. Press one patch to the front side of the screen, centered over the damaged area. Apply the adhesive to the other patch and press it over the damaged area on the back of the screen. To adhere fiberglass patches, according to Home Tips, apply household repair cement. To adhere metal patches use an epoxy intended for metal repair. Use epoxies in well-ventilated areas and avoid contact with flesh.
Installing New Screen on a Wood Window Screen Frame
4. Separate the molding holding the screen to the inner wood frame by inserting a flathead screwdriver between the layers and prying upward. Remove any staples holding the damaged screen to the inner wood frame by using a staple remover. Grip the staple within the prongs of the staple remover, squeeze and pull out the staple. Remove and save the damaged screen.
5. Lay the new screen onto a flat surface. Put the old screen on top. Cut around the old screen with wire cutters or utility scissors. Discard the damaged screen or save for future screen patches.
6. Align the top edge of the screen mesh over the top of the inner frame. Screen material should hang over the edge (the amount will depend on the size of your cut screen). Apply a clamp on each corner and in the center to secure. Stretch the screen down over the bottom edge of the frame until tight. Apply clamps on each corner and center.
7. Staple a wood staple at 1-inch intervals across the top of the screen onto the top edge of the wood frame. Remove clamps. Repeat for bottom edge.
8. Stretch the right side of the screen over the right edge. Clamp on each corner and center. Repeat for the left edge, pulling the screen tight. Clamp on each corner and center. Use the staple gun to insert staples 1-inch apart across the right and left sides. Remove clamps.
9. Trim any excess screen so it is even with the back of the frame. Staple the molding over the screen into the frame.
Tags: corner center, each corner, each corner center, damaged screen, Screen material, wood frame, bottom edge