How To Repair A Screen Door

You don’t have to be a handyman to fix a patio door screen. The job needs only low-cost, readily available tools and materials.

People don’t mind the squirrels going in and out of the bird feeder but dogs seem to not like what squirrels do. Dogs despise squirrels so much that they often tear right through the mesh screen on the patio door, leaving a huge gaping hole in the bottom third.

Not only is this hole unflattering, but the hot weather brings out mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. Fixing the screen should be on the top of your priority list. Fortunately, it’s a simple DIY project! Continue reading to learn how to fix a screen door.

TOOLS & MATERIALS:

• Screen
• Spline
• Spline roller
• Screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Pliers
• Utility knife

Step 1: Take The Screen Door Out Of Its Frame.

First, is to take the screen door out of its frame. The entire door is supported by flexible rollers,  raising the frame until the bottom edge of the rollers clear the lip, you can tilt the door out from the underside.

STEP 2: Select Your New Screen Materials and Gather All Required Tools. 

The next stop is the hardware store, where you can find the selection of materials and supplies you are going to need. Wire and fiberglass are the two most common forms of replacement screen material. They are available in rolls and come in black, white, or charcoal colors.

Some specialist manufacturers also include wire mesh containing smaller troughs to block ‘”no-see-ums”’ and s heavy-duty fiberglass “’pet” option. The typical door-to-door roll measures 36” to 84′′, even though both smaller and larger rolls are available.

Another alternative is screen spline, which is flexible tubing that keeps the screen in place. The spline, which is sold in rolls and comes in two colors, inserts between the panel mesh and a narrow groove along the edge of the door frame. 

You’ll need one more tool called a spline roller, which you’ll use to fit the spline into the groove of the door (available on Amazon if you can’t find it at your local home supply store). The plastic version is sufficient for a small job or a single-use. If you need to replace multiple door and window screens, you may want to purchase the wooden tool. 

STEP 3: Remove The Existing Spline and Clean The Door. 

In one corner of the door frame, insert the tip of the screwdriver and pry out the old spline material, making sure that you don’t bend the metal rims. Thoroughly clean the door frame after removing the old spline and the torn screen.

STEP 4: Insert The Replacement Spline and Screen Into The Door Groove With A Spline Roller.

Unroll the new fibreglass screen on the door to ensure that all edges are overlapped. Then use the concave end of the spline roller at one corner to gently transfer the spline to the metal groove starting at one corner.

Before you go too far, make sure the mesh is going in evenly. If not, carefully remove the spline and screen, reposition the screen on the frame, and try again. If you are having this problem you might use lightweight clamps on the corners to hold the screen in place to tightly grasp the frame while your free hand works to keep the mesh from moving.

STEP 5: Remove any excess Screen Material and Replace the Door in the Frame.

When you have the spline and screen in position on all four sides, put it into place using the convex end of the spline reel and cut the excess screen material using a utility knife. Success! Now you can sit down and enjoy spring breezes with a refreshing iced tea.