Ask Mr. Fixit
April 14, 2006
Spring Screening
by Bud Jillett
Dear Mr. Fixit,
Spring is here and soon I’ll be
putting the screens back in my storm doors. These screens and others throughout
my home were pretty worn last year and some even had tears, holes, and
spattered paint from over the years. I have priced replacing them but was
hoping to save some money. A friend told me he takes his existing screens to
his local hardware store where the screening is replaced. I’ve priced this,
too, and it’s not that much cheaper than just buying them, but it did give me
the idea that I could do the re-screening myself. Could you tell me what’s
involved? Any pointers? Is it worth doing?
Sincerely,
Spring
Screening
Dear
Spring,
I think
it’s worth doing if you have several to do and don’t mind dedicating a few
hours to the project. Go to The Home Depot or local hardware store and buy a
100’ roll of fiberglass screening. Make sure it is 2” wider than your widest
screen. I find it’s best to just get the 36” screening unless you know for sure
you can do all your present and future re-screening projects with a narrower
width. Screening is available in “charcoal” and “aluminum” colors. You may also
need to buy “spline,” which is the narrow bead of rubber that holds the
screening in place around the aluminum frame. A spline diameter of 3/16” is
common for household window screens; 5/16” is common for screen sliders. If
your screens aren’t too old, it’s possible to reuse the spline.
You will
definitely need a spline roller and a utility knife to trim the spline and
screening. The spline roller presses the spline into the screen frame to hold
it in place. Be very careful if you buy and use a spline roller / knife combo
tool. If the blade falls out of its retracted position while you’re concentrating
on rolling the spline you could easily cut yourself.
Once you
have the necessary tools and supplies, bring all your old screens to a safe
working area. Use a utility knife to remove the spline from the groove of the
aluminum frame. The older the screen, the more difficult it will be to get the
spline popped up. However, once it’s started, you can usually pull it out from
its track in one piece.
Once all
the spline is out, simply push on the screening to remove it from the frame.
NOTE: If the screening is aluminum, I still recommend replacing it with
fiberglass because it’s easier to do. If you have a specific reason to replace
the screening with aluminum screening (cats?), this is also available in 100’
rolls.
Once the
screening is removed, take the time to wash the aluminum frame with Fantastic
or 409 and paper towels. Now’s an opportune time to do that and, hey, you’re
spring-cleaning anyway, right?
Once
cleaned, lay the screen frame on a flat work surface with the “groove” side up.
Use a framing square or other square object to make sure the screen frame is
perfectly square. Lay some fiberglass screening on top of the frame and pinch
it in place by rolling spline into the groove with the spline roller. Do this
all the way around the screen’s perimeter. Once done, trim the excess spline
and screen with a utility knife.
TIPS:
·
Work
slowly to avoid tearing the screen or cutting yourself.
·
If
your screen has a center divider, put this back in before laying the screening
on the frame. This will help keep the frame from bowing as the screening
tightens up.
·
If
your screen has lost its locking tabs or springs, these are also available at
the hardware store.
·
If
one or more legs of your screen frame is cracked or bent, replace it before
re-screening. (Cut to length with hack saw).
·
Replace
any broken corners before proceeding.
·
Replacement
frame, corner joiners, and all associated hardware is available at The Home
Depot and other hardware suppliers. All frame and associated hardware is
usually available in black, white, and dark brown. Other colors are available
but harder to find.
The first
screen I ever replaced took me almost 30 minutes! Now I can do a screen in
about five minutes once I get rolling (no pun intended)! So don’t be
discouraged if going is slow or you make mistakes at first. Set aside about 1/2 a day to do an average
size cape and you will save about $200.
—Mr. Fixit
Please send
your Mr. Fixit questions via U.S. Mail to:
The Weekly Sentinel
P. O. Box 308
North Berwick, ME 03906
Or submit them via e-mail to: bud@jillett.com.
