If you forgot to look at the screen when you took it down, pull out another one to see how it goes in place. The spline will always face outward.
Insert the second screen under the top screen’s bottom lip with the pressure clips facing right. Push the screen all the way over to the right. Press the bottom left corner in, while still keeping the top screen’s bottom corner and the bottom screen’s top corner out a bit. Once the bottom left corner is in, press on the left middle part where the corners meet to set it in place.
To set it in place from the top, press in towards the house at the top corners. You can do this from the outside, or if your house has windows that open from the top and bottom, from the inside.
Fiberglass screen will give you a chance to start over if you mess up. Aluminum will hold up to more, but it tends to take on the shape of whatever you’re doing. That means you won’t get a chance to try again if you make a mistake. [5] X Research source If you have pets, consider using pet screen, which is meant to hold up to the weight and claws of your pets.
If you need to replace the frame, too, you can buy the sides and corners at a hardware store. Just measure how long the sides need to be, and then pop them together with the corner joints to create the frame. You’ll only need to replace the frame if it is bowing severely or rusted out.
Don’t try to reuse the spline. It gets old and brittle after a while. Scan each corner of the frame for a spline end. Once you find the end, slip the screwdriver underneath and pry it up. Slowly pull the entire spline out from around the window frame. The spline may be cut in sections. If this is the case, just repeat the process until the entire spline is out of the window frame grove.
While this step isn’t absolutely necessary, it does help the frame keep its shape.
Use enough clamps to hold the screen in place.
After you roll the screen in, look down the screen. Make sure that there are no bubbles in the screen. If bubbles are present, remove the screen and roll it back in, ensuring you don’t have any bubbles this time. Work from corner to corner. If your screen has lift tabs, small plastic handles to help remove the screen, place them in the track before you pre-roll the screen. You want these tabs to be on the opposite side of the spline, so that when the screen is put back into the window, the pull tabs will be on the inside of the house.
Rolling the spline in may take several passes but make sure at the end that the screen is all at the same depth in the track. Take your time with this step. If you go to fast or push too hard, the screen may rip on the inside of the frame and then you have to start all over. Screening is a slow patient process; take your time and do it right the first time.
If you’re using fiberglass screen and you mess up, you can pull it out and do it again. If you’re using aluminum, you’ll have to cut new screen if you make a mistake.
Make sure you use a sharp blade, as a dull one will just drag the screen along, not cut it.
Tap on the end of the pry bar with a hammer to help work it under the molding. Once you get the molding out, tap the nails on the pointed end and remove them with a hammer.
If any nails or staples are left in the frame after you remove the screen, pry them out. [20] X Research source
You should have at least at least 2 sides that meet at a right angle. That will make it easier to attach the screen. [22] X Research source
Add staples or nails every 1 inch (2. 5 cm) or so. Make sure the staples are as flat as possible against the frame.
With this step, you should finish stapling the screen into place.
You can trim the screen earlier if it’s in the way while you’re stapling. You should only have to trim the screen on 2 sides if you used a right angle.
If a piece broke, you can glue it back together or buy a new piece of molding.
