© 2009 Anderqual Handyman & Remodeling Service

Holiness belongs in Church not in your window screens! Unfortunately  pets children and the occasional over inebriated friend of a friend can take their toll on your homes window screens. Tears, dents, holes, and flapping corners can let those pesky West Nile virus ladened mosquitoes in and possibly your pets out if the screen is pulled out. For many the task of replacing windows screens seems like one of those jobs that is going to take the entire weekend. Fears of pulling this corner to make it nice while at the same time screwing up the opposite corner run rampant through their head. Have no fear! Anderqual is here! If after reading the following guide you still feel that having someone else take care of it for you give us a call or email and we would be happy to replace those window screens for you. If you are determined to do it yourself have a look at the following guide.

 

Selecting Window Screening

There are several types of window screening: Vinyl Coated Fiberglass, Aluminum, Solar, Pet Resistance, and Tiny Insect. Typically Vinyl Coated Fiberglass and Pet Resistant are the most common as they are the easiest to install. Aluminum is difficult to install because it dents and can crease during installation. Solar is specific to sunnier areas of the country and might be difficult to find in the Chicagoland area. Tiny insect screening is commonly used for porches and gazebos.

 

Replacing Window Screens

• You need to make sure you have the following Items: Flathead Screwdriver, Spline Roller, New Spline, New Screening, Sharp Razor, and a large flat area (I Prefer a Garage Floor).

 

• Remove the Patio or Window Screen frame and lay it flat on your work surface spline side up.

 

• Locate the end of the old spline and use your Flathead Screwdriver to pry the end out. Once you have enough to grasp pull the old spline and screen out and throw them away.

 

• Unroll your new screening from the top of the roll not the bottom so that when it's over the screen frame it wants to curl down against the work surface not up. Make sure the screen has about a inch or more of excess around the perimeter of the screen frame

 

• Starting about 1 inch  in from a corner, press the spline into place first with your fingers then with the grooved roller on the spline roller tool. Roll lightly at first to avoid stretching the spline and to maintain control. For fiberglass screening, you can roll the screen and spline into the channel at the same time. For Aluminum screening you have to roll the screen into the grove with the other end of the tool then come back and press the spline in with the grooved end of the tool.

 

• Work your way around the screen frame. Once you have one long edge done  hold the opposite side of the screen slightly taut.

 

• After you have gone completely around the screen you need to press the spline in at the corners with the screwdriver because the roller cant get close enough in. Be careful! Too much pressure can be dangerous and possibly tear the spline and/or screen

 

• Using a razor angled towards the frame, cut the excess screen away from the now fully seated spline. Use slow steady pressure as you navigate around the frame. Discard the waste screening.

 

• Reinstall the screen and enjoy!

 

• Store the spline roller in a spot you will remember in 2 years!

 

If you are still unsure be sure to give us a call at 847-756-3808 or Email us and get those screens replaced today!