How to Replace a Window Screen
A torn window screen lets in bugs and looks terrible. Re-screening takes just 20-30 minutes per screen with a $15 tool and a roll of screen material.
Repair & Refinish Team
Published May 20, 2025 · Updated October 15, 2025
What You'll Need
- Screen roller tool (convex and concave ends)
- Utility knife
- Flathead screwdriver or awl
- Scissors
- Clamps (optional)
- Replacement screen mesh (fiberglass or aluminum)
- Spline (rubber cord that holds screen in the frame channel)
- Painter's tape (optional, for holding screen in place)
Cost Estimate
Budget
$8
Mid-Range
$15
Premium
$25
A hardware store charges $15-$40 to re-screen a window. DIY materials cost $8-$25 (enough for multiple screens).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Remove the Screen and Old Spline
Step 1 of 6Remove the window screen from the window frame. Lay it flat on a work surface. Locate the rubber spline (the cord pressed into the channel around the frame perimeter). Use a flathead screwdriver or awl to pry up one end of the spline and pull it out of the channel around the entire frame. The old screen mesh will lift out. Clean any debris from the frame channel.
Cut New Screen Material
Step 2 of 6Lay the new screen mesh over the frame. Cut it 2 inches larger than the frame on all sides — you need the overhang to grip while pressing the spline in. If the screen curls (common with rolled fiberglass), weigh down the corners or tape the edges to the work surface.
Press the Spline Into One Side
Step 3 of 6Starting on one of the long sides, lay the new spline over the screen mesh at the channel. Using the concave (grooved) wheel of the screen roller tool, press the spline into the channel, pushing the screen mesh in with it. Work slowly and keep the screen taut with your free hand. The mesh should be pulled tightly but not distorted. Use new spline if the old one is brittle or damaged — match the diameter.
Start with a long side, then do the opposite long side (pulling the screen taut across the frame), then the two short sides. This prevents wrinkles and sagging.
Continue Around All Four Sides
Step 4 of 6Move to the opposite long side. Pull the screen mesh taut across the frame and press the spline in with the roller tool. Then do both short sides. At the corners, use the convex (rounded) end of the roller tool to press the spline into the corner junction. The screen should be drum-tight with no wrinkles or sagging when you finish all four sides.
Trim the Excess Screen
Step 5 of 6Using a sharp utility knife, trim the excess screen mesh along the outside edge of the spline channel. Hold the knife at a slight angle toward the outside of the frame so the cut is clean. A fresh blade is critical — a dull blade tears the mesh instead of cutting it. Check all four sides for any mesh fibers sticking out and trim them.
Run the knife in one continuous motion along each side rather than making short strokes. This creates a cleaner edge with no fraying.
Reinstall the Screen
Step 6 of 6Place the re-screened frame back in the window. Most screens have spring clips or plunger pins that hold them in the window track. Compress the springs, position the screen, and release them into the track grooves. Check that the screen sits flush and doesn't bow. Open and close the window to verify the screen doesn't interfere with operation.
Recommended Products
Standard charcoal fiberglass screen mesh. Easy to cut and install. Doesn't dent or crease like aluminum. One roll re-screens 3-4 standard windows.
Seven times stronger than standard screen. Resists pet claws, tearing, and punctures. Vinyl-coated polyester. Charcoal color. Worth every penny if you have dogs or cats.
Dual-wheel screen roller with convex and concave ends. Includes 25 feet of 0.140" spline. Everything you need to re-screen a window for under $10.
Affiliate Disclosure: We earn a small commission when you buy through our links at no extra cost to you.
Tips & Warnings
- Buy a roll of screen mesh and spline — enough to do all your screens at once. It's much cheaper per screen than buying individual kits.
- If you have pets, invest in PetScreen (Phifer brand). It's much more resistant to claws than standard fiberglass and saves you from re-screening every year.
- A screen roller tool costs $5-$8 and lasts forever. It's the only specialized tool you need.
- Replace spline every time you re-screen. Old spline loses its flexibility and doesn't grip the channel properly.
- Use a fresh utility knife blade when trimming screen. A dull blade catches and tears the mesh, ruining the clean edge.
- Don't pull the screen so tight that it distorts or bows the frame. It should be taut but not stretched to the point of bending aluminum frames.
Frequently Asked Questions
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