Repairing screens and replacement

There are several different kinds of screen wire. The most popular being fiberglass and aluminum. Fiberglass being the most popular. Fiberglass comes in black color and different shades of gray. This type of screen can be easier to cut or burn with a cigarette by someone who is breaking into your home. While aluminum is harder to cut and when you do you can hear it happening because the house acts as a soundboard and resounds all over the house.

The color of your house determines the color of the screen you use. If you have recently painted your house and it still doesn’t seem to look right to you maybe you have the wrong color of screens.

Aluminum screen is a little harder to replace than fiberglass. When rolling aluminum screen it fits into the groove on the screen frame so you must apply less pressure than fiberglass or you will cut it. Then you will have to start all over. When measuring aluminum screen wire add 2 inches on each side so if you do accidentally cut it just move it over a little bit and start all over.

Re-screening your screen

After you have cut your screen wire to size lay it evenly over the frame. Starting on one side roll the screen in and hold the screen wire tight with your other hand to keep it from slipping or turning sideways. With a screen roller start slowly to roll the screen into the groove. Then with a putty knife push the end of the spleen into the corner and with the roller roll it into the groove. Rotate the screen and repeat the process over again until you are done. Cut off the extra spleen with a utility knife. Now you are ready to cut the extra screen away from the frame with the utility knife. Place the point at the outside edge of the groove and cut away the excess screen. Never cut toward the hand you are holding the screen with. If the knife slips you can cut yourself. Keep the hand holding the screen behind the utility knife so you won’t get cut.

Broken corners and screen locks can be replaced. The corners can be bent open so the broken corner can be taken out. Sometimes you have to use a flat screwdriver to stick it into the channel to tap them out with a hammer.

The slide cocks will have to be drilled out. Take a drill bit the same size as the indention that is holding the slide. Drill out the indentation so it will release the old slide. Replace the new one and take a center punch to put a new indentation so the new one will stay in place. You will find these replacement parts at glass and screen repair shops and your local hardware store.

Screens do need to be lubricated so they will slide up and down easier. This is sometimes why the corners and latches get broken. Use a good silicon spray up and down the tracks and on the screen latches. This should be done twice a year, spring and fall or at least once a year.

Patio doors

There used to be 20 to 25 companies making patio doors, now it is down to a very few. Which means some of the patio doors out there will be hard to find repair parts. There are a few companies that are making repair parts for patio doors, but only for the most common ones. The best thing to do is keep those doors well lubricated so the parts will last longer. Just like window screens lubricate twice a year no less than once a year with silicone spray. Spray the rollers and track. This will help keep the dirt from sticking on the rollers and lock them up so they will not roll.

Re-screening patio doors is about the same as re-screening window screens. It is much harder because it is so much larger. After you have cut the screen to size lay over the patio door and use several clamps along the opposite side that you are rolling in the new screen. This will help hold the screen stay in place while you are rolling it in. Repeat just the same way as if you were re-screening a window screen. Repair parts for patio door can be purchased at Home Improvement Centers, hardware stores and window and screen repair shops.