Window screens are very important in many countries in the world, these are required to make the rooms comfortable. They are used to prevent any pests entering the house whilst still allowing fresh air inside. The very uses for window screens mean that they are delicate and easily get damaged. Pets can make light work out of window screening! It's always a good idea to keep some spare screening material around just in case you have to make some last minute repairs.

Replacing screens is actually quite easy, it's certainly within the skills of most people. It is defiantly easy to do these projects by yourself without requiring any specialist help, you will require certain types of equipment, including:

New screening material or patches to repair your existing screens Scissors Cement Knife Screen rolling tool Set square Stock to stretch screening Stapler Wood putty Brads

If there is a small hole which has affected your window screen then it may be possible to repair the holes. Repairs are possible if the hole is less than 3" wide. If your screen is plastic then you probably won't be able to patch it and it should be replaced. Metal screens are the easiest ones to patch.

You should start by measuring the sizes of the holes and cutting out patches. These should be around half an inch bigger than the hole itself. If the holes are very big then you may require to replace the whole screen.

It's very easy to patch a screen, first you need to pick some of the strands of the patch apart, and then weave these threads into the screen until it is firmly in place. It's normally possible to bend these strands of screening by hand, but you may need to use some tools. If you're patching a plastic panel then you will need to use some cement to hold it in place.

Screen Replacement

It can be quite difficult to replace screens if they are in wooden or metal frames. You need different processes in either case, we'll look at metal framed windows first.

Metal frame

You should start by removing the rubber weatherproofing from the old screen, if it looks in reasonable condition then keep it. Otherwise you will need to replace it.

Remove the old screen, you may want to save some of the screen for future repairs. Cut the new screen using the old piece of screening as a template.

Use a screen rolling tool to tighten the screen so that it is held firmly in place. Tighten all around the screen.

It might be difficult, but you could use the spreader to support the screen while installing it. When you have fitted the screen cut off any excess material with a craft knife.

Fit the screen back into your window and enjoy!

Replace screening in a wood frame

It can be more difficult to replace the screening in a wooden frame because you need to staple it to the frame.

You should be very careful not to break the frame when prizing it out from the window. Use a piece of wood to wedge and work the frame out.

The screening needs to be stapled along the top edge of the frame. Use wooden wedges to tighten the screen.

Cut off the excess screening and fill any holes with wood putty.