Replace a Torn Window Screen - Fast, Cheap, & Easy

(and Save $65 - $150 per Screen Doing It Yourself)

Is your window screen ripped, sagging, or letting bugs turn your home into an all-you-can-eat buffet? Good news — you can fix it yourself in under 30 minutes and save big $s compared to hiring a pro or replacing the whole frame. ---- At least that is what ChatGPT told me, so it has to be true - right?

So, I put on my best workshop outfit and prepared for my first screen test. Spoiler alert - it's pretty easy and I saved over $1,000 doing it myself. Very satisfying.

Now you can go to your significant other and claim that since you saved over $1K, you can take half of that and buy something you want or need -- It's pure math, so they can't debate it.

Good luck on your repair and your found window windfall (i.e., cash that is not falling out of your window - that wouldn't be as fun).

Materials

1. Your fault window screen (of course)
2. Replacement screen mesh (choose fiberglass or aluminum - fiberglass is easier for beginners - buy a little more than you need incase of mistakes or future needs )

Tools

1. Spline (a flexible rubber cord that holds the mesh in place) (only yours needs replaced) (Also measure if your cord is 1/8" or 1/4" - most like 1/8" for normal window screens)
2. Spline roller (looks like a pizza cutter — used to press spline into the frame)
3. Utility knife or scissors
4. Flathead screwdriver (optional — to remove old spline) ( I used a small nail)

Total cost ~$50 - $60 for around ~15 windows

PRO TIP: Note the spline roller has two sides, one flat/smooth and one with a groove. The flat one is used to press the screen into the screen groove. The roller with the groove is used to press the spline cord into the groove. See pics and video in steps 3 & 4.

Carefully pop the screen frame out of the window.

Lay it flat on a table or work surface.

Remove the old spline using a nail or flathead screwdriver

Pull out the damaged screen mesh.

PRO TIP: Take note of how the spline starts before removing it — it needs to go back in the same groove and direction. (I tied a knot and marked the beginning of the spline start.)

Roll out your new mesh over the screen frame.

Leave 1–2 inches of excess on all sides. (It's better to be a bit long then short :-)

Cut the mesh roughly to size using scissors or a utility knife.

Starting at the corner you marked, press the new mesh into the frame groove. Make sure it's deep in the groove.

PRO TIP: Use the flat part of the spline roller to press the screen in the window groove before you insert the spline cord - it makes the screen more taunt.

Use the spline roller to gently press the spline cord into the groove over the mesh, securing it in place.

Work your way around all four sides, keeping the mesh taut but not overly stretched.

PRO TIP: Watch for wrinkles or warping of the screen, if so backtrack and re-roll if needed. I found it useful to gently pull on the screen as I rolled in the spline cord. You can always pull out the spline cord and start over if needed.

Since the spline cord is elastic, it will stretch a bit so you may have a bit extra - just trim it off.

Once the spline cord is fully seated, use your utility knife to carefully trim away the excess mesh along the outer edge of the spline groove.

Go slow to avoid cutting the mesh inside the groove.

Just to be extra precautions, I made another trip around the screen to give an extra press of the spline cord to make the screen nice and taunt.

Pop the screen back into the window.

Admire your handiwork.

Open your window proudly — fresh air in but keep bugs out.

BONUS TIP: Save some leftover mesh and spline cord for quick future repairs — or patch a small tear using a screen repair kit for just a couple of bucks.