Repairing Guides

how to repair a screen on a screen door

by Prof. Dawson Corwin Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Steps for Fixing a Screen Door

  1. Prepare a work surface. First, you’ll need a work surface to support the door or screen panel. ...
  2. Measure. Now measure the width and length of the door. ...
  3. Pry out the spline. ...
  4. Unroll the screen material over the door. ...
  5. Cut the spline. ...
  6. Repeat on the long sides. ...
  7. Trim excess screen. ...

Part of a video titled Replace A Door Screen - Ace Hardware - YouTube
1:50
7:47
Pull it all the way out and then discard it now if that spline breaks as you pull it out that's okayMorePull it all the way out and then discard it now if that spline breaks as you pull it out that's okay. You can either replace it or you can piece it together.

Full Answer

How do you fix a screen door?

Screen Door – Supplies

  • Roller Tool
  • Mesh Screening
  • Spline (2 bags)
  • Screwdriver
  • Utility Knife
  • Scissors

How to install a replacement screen door?

Remove the old screen. To remove the old screen from the frame, place your awl in the end of the channel at the edge of the frame that holds the spline, and pry it out, which will loosen the screen. Once you’ve freed the material from the frame, keep working your way around until the old screen and spline has been removed.

How to restore a vintage screen door?

  • Put on rubber gloves and squirt two to three drops of dish detergent into a bucket of water.
  • Wash the aluminum door with a large sponge and the soapy water.
  • Rinse the storm door with clean water and the sponge.
  • Dry the aluminum storm door with clean, dry rags.
  • Apply an aluminum cleaner to the storm door.

How to wash a screen door?

  • Prepare the surface. Lie the screens on a flat outdoor surface on top of towels, a tarp or a drop cloth.
  • Vacuum. Use a soft brush vacuum cleaner attachment to remove loose dirt from both sides of the screens.
  • Prepare your Simple Green solution. ...
  • Wet. ...
  • Spray cleaner on. ...
  • Clean the tracks. ...
  • Clean the parts. ...
  • Scrub screens. ...
  • Rinse. ...
  • Dry. ...

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How do you fix a mesh on a screen door?

0:493:57How To Repair A Screen Door - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust place it on top roll. It out if you don't have a full roll. It would take about seven feet ofMoreJust place it on top roll. It out if you don't have a full roll. It would take about seven feet of screening at your Ace Hardware.

Can you replace the mesh on a screen door?

Step 1 Mesh Place the screen door on a completely flat surface. Lay the new screen across the frame. Make sure that the mesh overlaps on all sides of the frame — you want to have a bit of extra material on every side. Use tape or clamps along the bottom edge of the screen to keep it taut against the frame.

How do you repair a screen in a storm door?

0:171:40How to rescreen a Forever Storm Door insert - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake your rigid screen spline to lay it flat in one of the corners of your frame with the inner edgeMoreTake your rigid screen spline to lay it flat in one of the corners of your frame with the inner edge under the lip of the screen frame. Then begin rolling it on the outer edge of the spline.

How do you repair a torn screen?

1:192:03How to Repair Your Screen - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply warm the adhesive with a hairdryer or heat gun and you're done for larger holes use a pre-cutMoreSimply warm the adhesive with a hairdryer or heat gun and you're done for larger holes use a pre-cut patch again clean up any rough edges then remove the backing. And place it over your hole.

How do you Rescreen a door without removing it?

0:365:50Replace Screen Door Mesh Without Removing Door from Hinges DIY ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe screen with some blue masking tape just something to hold it in place and then I'm gonna useMoreThe screen with some blue masking tape just something to hold it in place and then I'm gonna use this screen spline to install the screen into the grooves. And the door.

Does screen repair tape work?

0:050:48Window Screen Repair - Screen Patch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then you just press it in place and it does a fantastic job of just locking on to the screen andMoreAnd then you just press it in place and it does a fantastic job of just locking on to the screen and it completely covers the hole.

How do you repair a metal screen?

0:394:13How to patch a window screen - Window Screen Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo to repair a hole in the screen all you're really going to need is a paper clip and I've bent itMoreSo to repair a hole in the screen all you're really going to need is a paper clip and I've bent it open to use it like a tool and a pair of scissors.

How do you replace the bottom panel on a screen door?

1:332:56PCA Kickplate Replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo again start from one side and just work your way across hold the kick plate down as you tap theMoreSo again start from one side and just work your way across hold the kick plate down as you tap the bottom of the door frame back up around the kick plate. And once your modders are firmly together.

How do I fix a large hole in my screen?

0:312:19How To Patch A Window Or Door Screen - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI've got a tip for you there are these screen repair patch kits that you can buy that come inMoreI've got a tip for you there are these screen repair patch kits that you can buy that come in different colors.

How do you fix mesh fabric?

Cut a piece of netting about 1 inch larger than the tear on all sides. Round the edges of the patch to prevent pulling.Thread a needle with a double thickness of thread and tie a knot in the end.Lay the patch over the hole and sew the patch to the netting using the overhand stitch.

How do you replace a porch screen mesh?

0:091:55How to Rescreen a Porch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe will use we start by taking out the old spline. And screen. We will use the old screen as aMoreWe will use we start by taking out the old spline. And screen. We will use the old screen as a pattern for the new. Screen. Next we put the new screen in place and use some tape to hold the screen.

How do you replace Aluminium fly screen mesh?

0:512:44How-to Install Aluminum Window Screen - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart by removing the old spline. This is the rubber strip that holds the screen into place start byMoreStart by removing the old spline. This is the rubber strip that holds the screen into place start by lifting the spline with a flathead screwdriver remove the old spline and discard.

Why is my screen door broken?

The reason our screen door was broken was because the spine was coming out and it was making the screening really loose. I removed the old spline using a screwdriver. I simply dug a screwdriver into the crevice of one of the corners and pulled it out from around the perimeter of the door. You can throw this spline away (it will probably be pretty gross) because you’ll want to use fresh spline when getting the new screening in!

How to prevent ripples on door screen?

DIY Tip: Instead of working your way around the edge of the door in a c lockwise or counter-clockwise pattern, do the right side, left side, top, and then bottom of the screen. This will prevent ripples and bubbling. Instead, you’ll have a nice tight screening with no waves in it! This was the first time I used this technique and it made the entire project that much easier.

Where to put spline on door?

At this point, the screening was inserted into the lip of the door, so it was time for the new spline. I started at the bottom right side of the door, shoving the end of the spline into the corner. You may have to be a bit forceful to get it wedged into the corner. Once it’s in, then you can carefully start rolling the spline into the lip.

Can I put a screen door on the ground?

I brought our screen door inside and laid it out on our dining room table to tackle this project. You can do it outside on the ground if you want. Just make sure you have a large flat work surface.

Can you fix a broken screen?

Luckily, it’s incredibly easy to repair a broken screen. I’ve done it in the past ( here’s a suuuuuper old post ), but I’ve since learned some tips and techniques that really help to keep the screen taut and smooth by the end of the project.

In This Article

In the hot summer months when you leave your back door, front door, or patio door open to circulate fresh air in the house, a screen door may be all that stands between you and hoards of hungry mosquitoes. It can't protect you if the screen is torn or damaged, and if you have pets or small children, that's an all-too-likely scenario.

Shopping for a New Screen

Manufacturers gauge screen transparency by the number of mesh openings per inch, and they measure in two directions: from side to side and from top to bottom. The conventional screen mesh is 18 x 16, which means there are 18 mesh openings per inch from side to side and 16 from top to bottom.

You May Need New Spline

Screen spline is a flexible vinyl cord you push into the groove around the screen opening to hold the screen in place.

How to Fix Your Screen Door

You don't need many tools to rescreen a door or install a window screen, but a spline roller is essential. This is the tool you use to push the screen into the groove and to install the spline.

Step 1: Take Down the Door and Lay It Flat

If the door has a pneumatic or spring closer, unscrew it from the door using a Phillips screwdriver. You can leave the other end's door closer attached to the door frame. Unscrew the hinges from the door and then remove the door and lay it on a flat surface with the screen side facing up.

Step 2: Remove the Old Spline and Screen

Locate the end of the spline, which is usually in a corner, and work a flat-head screwdriver under it to force it out of the groove. Grasp the end with your fingers or with pliers, pull gently, and continue pulling to remove all the spline from that side of the door. Repeat for the other three sides.

Step 3: Prepare the New Screen

Unroll enough screen from a roll to cover the screen opening, allowing an overlap of at least 2 inches on all sides. Cut the screen from the roll using a utility knife. A knife works for both fiberglass and metal screening.

To replace a patio door screen, you don't need to be an expert repair man. The job involves only inexpensive and readily available tools and materials

I don’t mind the squirrels taking their turn at the bird feeder, but our dog seems to have developed a personal vendetta against the creatures. She’s so vehemently opposed to squirrels that she managed to rip right through the mesh screen on the patio door, leaving a large gaping hole in the bottom third.

STEP 1: Remove the screen door from the door frame

The first step was removing the screen door from the frame. Since the entire door slides on flexible rollers, I lifted the frame up until the bottom edge of the rollers could clear the lip, then tilted the door out from the bottom.

STEP 2: Choose your replacement screen materials and gather necessary tools

The next stop was the hardware store, where I found a somewhat daunting array of materials and supplies. There are basically two types of replacement screen material—wire and fiberglass. Both are sold in rolls and offered in either black, white, or charcoal shades.

STEP 3: Remove the existing spline and thoroughly clean the door

I inserted the tip of the screwdriver in one corner of the door frame and pried out the old spline material with the pliers, being careful not to bend the metal edges of the groove. Once I had removed the old spline and the ripped screen, I thoroughly cleaned the door frame.

STEP 4: Use a spline roller to push the replacement spline and screen into the door groove

I unrolled the new fiberglass screen onto the door, making sure to overlap all of the edges. Then, starting at one corner, I used the concave end of the spline roller to gently push the spline and screen into the metal groove.

STEP 5: Trim away excess screen material and re-install the door in the frame

Once I had the spline and screen in place on all four sides, I used the convex end of the spline roller to firmly push everything into place and, using the utility knife, I trimmed the excess screen material. I replaced the screen door on the frame and sat down with a cool iced tea to enjoy the fresh spring breezes.

How to clean a screen door frame?

If the door frame around your screen is very dirty, use an all-purpose cleaner and a rag to wipe it down. You can also use a cotton swab to clean dirt and debris out of the grooves.

How wide is a screen door?

On average, most screen doors come in 2 standard sizes, either 32 in (81 cm) or 36 in (91 cm) wide. They often measure to 80 in (200 cm) high. Place the new screen across the door frame. Center the screen as best as you can and aim to have the same amount of extra screen on each side.

How to secure a screen on a computer?

Start at one corner and roll until you reach the opposite end. Then, secure the adjacent spline, working in an “L” shape. Do this until all 4 splines are pushed down and the screen is securely held in place. For a thorough hold, push the corners of the screen into place using a screwdriver.

How to measure for replacement screen?

1. Cut the screen at least 2 in (5.1 cm) wider than your door frame. Measure the opening in the door frame to determine the how large the replacement screen needs to be. Then, add 2 in (5.1 cm) to both the length and width measurements so you have enough room to secure the splines.

How to remove extra screen from a frame?

Cut away the extra screen using a utility knife. Once the screen is fastened to the frame, you can trim off any extra hanging along the edges. Line up your utility knife with the screen so it is about 1⁄16 in (0.16 cm) above the spline, pierce the screen with the tip of the knife, and drag the knife through the screen to cut it. Do this for all 4 sides and throw away the scraps of screen.

How to hold a screen in place?

If you're working alone, use pieces of tapes or clamps to hold the screen in place.

How to get rid of bugs in a screen?

This looks the best and ensures no bugs get through the screen. Hold one end in place as your friend holds the other, and pull on the screen gent ly to get rid of any slack.

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