Metal Frame Screen Repair

Replacing a screen in your window or screen door is a common summertime repair. It's not very hard if you know the tricks. And that's what we'll show you. This tutorial walks you through the steps involved in replacing a damaged screen in an aluminum frame as opposed to a wood frame.

• Replacement screen
• Screen installation tool
• Scissors or utility knife
• Vinyl screen replacement spline
• Carpenter's square
• Screwdriver
• Clamp

First, you need to prepare the frame to receive the new screening material. This will involve cleaning and checking the frame.

• Using a small screwdriver (or a nail), pry up and remove the old spline from the frame. If it is in good shape (not brittle, dried out or broken), it may be carefully reused.
• If the spline needs replacement use new vinyl spline material being sure to purchase the proper width for use with the frame.
• Remove the old screen material.
• Use a carpenter's square to check and make sure the frame is square (corners at right angles) and straight.

Once the frame is prepped, the next step is to ready the screening material.

• Clamp the frame to a solid flat surface.
• Cut the screen just shy of the size of the outside of the frame all the way around.
• Align the screen grid to the frame to make sure the screen grids line up straight with the frame.
• Using the convex wheel of the screen installation tool, press the screen material into the top and one of the sides of the frame channels.
• Use short strokes for the best results.
• The intent here is to form the metal screen into the frame channels to get it ready for the spline material.
• Roll the screen material into the remaining two channels.

Once the screen is pressed into the frame channels, install the vinyl spline.

• Using the concave wheel of the installation tool, seat the vinyl spline into the channel by starting in a corner.
• As before, use short strokes going in the same direction. Try not to go back and forth.
• Use a screwdriver to press the spline into the corners as necessary.
• As you press the spline into the frame, it will make the screen taught.
• Once installed, trim the excess screen material with scissors or a utility knife.