Window screens are an essential addition to any home, providing a perfect balance of fresh air and protection from pesky insects. If you're planning a DIY screen project and are unsure how to approach it, this guide will walk you through the process. By following this comprehensive tutorial, you’ll gain the confidence to tackle the project on your own.
How do I Install The Screen Material onto The Screen Frame?
Installing screen material onto a screen frame might seem challenging, but with the right tools and a bit of patience, it’s a manageable task. Proper installation ensures that the screen material is securely attached and does its job well.
Whether you're working with an existing screen frame or building a new one, you can follow these steps to install the screen material effectively.
Screen Tools Required
- Screen frame roller
- Screen spline
- Spline roller (convex and concave wheels)
- Utility knife or scissors
- Flathead screwdriver (for removing old spline, if applicable)
- Miter saw or hacksaw (for building new frames)
- Measuring tape
- Screen frame corners (if building a new frame)
- Corner brackets or connectors (if not included in the kit)
- Pull tabs (if using)
1. Preparing the Frame
For an existing frame
- Place the frame on a flat surface with the channel side facing you.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the old screen mesh and screen spline.
For a new frame
- Lay out all the frame pieces and verify they match the required lengths.
- If your kit includes corner connectors, align the ends of the frame pieces with the connectors and secure them.
- For mitered corners, cut the ends of the frame pieces at 45-degree angles using a miter saw, then join and secure with brackets or connectors.
2. Cutting and Positioning The Screen Material
- Place the frame on a flat surface with the channel side facing you.
- Unroll the new screen material over the frame.
- Cut the screen material to be 1 inch longer and wider than the frame, allowing a 1/2-inch overlap on all sides.
- Adjust the screen material so it covers all edges of the frame evenly.
3. Installing The Screen Fabric
If using pull tabs:
- Choose the edge of the frame opposite the one with tension springs.
- Insert pull tabs into the screen frame channel along this edge.
Secure the screen material:
- Pick one corner of the screen frame channel (spline channel).
- Starting from this corner, use the convex wheel of the spline roller to press the screen material into the spline channel until you reach the other corner.
- Switch to the concave wheel of the spline roller. Press the rubber spline on the top of the screen mesh into the screen channel.
- Repeat the above steps for the remaining edges.
- When you've finished inserting the screen spline, remove the excess screen material with a utility knife. Do this by cutting the screen from the top of the spline.
How to Attach Tension Springs to The Screen Frame?
The method for attaching a tension spring depends on its type:
1. Leaf Springs
Leaf springs prevent screen frames from becoming loose by fixing them to the window channel. These come in 2 forms:
- Flat Leaf Springs: To attach flat leaf springs, you need to drill two 3/16" wide holes that are 3 5/16" apart.
- Slide In Leaf Springs: If your window screen has external corners, you can use slide in leaf springs. They simply slide into the corners of 5/16" or 7/16" thick screen frames, requiring no need of drilling.
2. Hairpin or Wire Tension Springs
Hairpin springs are installed by making notches on the screen frame with a notching tool. These hardware pieces work best on metal frames.
How to Fix the Screen Frame Onto The Window?
- Locate the screen channel on the window frame. It has a thinner space compared to the rest of the window frame, designed to secure the screen in place. Depending on the window style, it may be positioned along the left and right sides or the top and bottom sides.
- Identify the side of the screen where the metal tension springs are installed. These springs should be positioned to fit into the groove.
- Place this side in the groove. Ensure that the springs align properly within the channel.
- Carefully push the other side of the screen into the groove. Adjust the position of the screen frame so the tension springs fit into the channel.
- Release the screen gradually, allowing the tension springs to compress. The hardware will create enough tension to hold the screen firmly in place.
- Check that the screen is evenly placed, leaving no gaps that may cause it to become loose.
Wrapping Up
If you carefully follow the steps stated above, you will definitely have a snug and secure fit that offers both protection from insects and unobstructed views. Whether you're tackling a DIY project or upgrading an existing screen, taking the time to do it right will pay off in the long run. If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can seek help from our experts at Affordable Window Screens.
Enjoy the fresh air and peace of mind that comes with a well-installed window screen!