Fixing A Screen Door That Shows Sign Of Wear And Tear
Your screen door is a crucial tool for keeping those bothersome creatures, particularly mosquitos, out of your cozy house. However, despite your best efforts, the screen will ultimately show signs of wear and tear. For instance, your dog might claw at it and create a doggy door for itself, or you might acquire a hole near the doorknob. But don't panic; even a novice do-it-yourselfer can fix a screen door. Choosing the type of screen you wish to utilize is the first step. The total cost of repairing your screen door will be most affected by your choice here. Fiberglass screen doors are the most popular choice since they are inexpensive and simple to install. Stronger aluminum screens are also available, albeit their installation calls for greater accuracy. Additionally, there are pet-friendly displays designed to withstand the claws of cats and dogs. Because they are tougher and more resistant to normal wear, these doors are also suitable as storm doors. Remember that you only need to buy the screen and spline if you already have the necessary tools. Or, you can decide to get a complete kit that includes everything you need to complete the task.
Step 1: Prepare A Work Surface
- In order to support the door or screen panel, you will first need a work surface. This surface might be your picnic table, a pair of sawhorses wrapped in plywood, or a workbench.
- The spline side should be facing up as you lay the screen door out on the work table. (The spline, which holds the screen in place by being pressed into the perimeter groove, is a thin, flexible piece of plastic that is often black.)
Step 2: Measure & Pry Out The Spline
- Now determine the door's width and length. Consider purchasing screening material that is wide and long enough to leave you with an additional 2 inches or so of screen on each side.
- Pull the remainder of the spline out after prying out one portion with a flat screwdriver or knife.
- A tiny sample of the spline material should be saved to bring to the store while the screening should be removed and discarded.
Step 3: Unroll The Screen Material Over The Door
- Give yourself as much overlap around the door's edge as you can, ideally a few inches.
- To attach the screen to the door, use spring clamps. Start by fastening one long side, then clamp the other side to pull the screen taut, and then clamp the short side.
Step 4: Cut The Spline
- Giving yourself a little extra so you can trim it later, cut the spline into lengths that nearly match the screen's perimeter.
- Use the concave wheel of the spline tool to push the spline material into the screen and spline groove, beginning at one corner of the unclamped short side.
- As you work to set the spline, you might discover that you need to roll the wheel back and forth. Maintain the spline's alignment in front of the tool with your other hand. Work slowly in the direction of the opposite corner while pulling the screen tightly and pushing the spline all the way into the spline groove.
- As you go, consider holding the screen taut as you install the spline with a spring clamp directly in front of your work. When you reach the other corner, carefully trim the extra spline there by cutting away from the screen and in the direction of the screen panel's outer edge.
Step 5: Repeat On The Long Sides
- To spline that portion, slide your spring clamps from the opposite short side. Repeat the process for the long sides after the short sides are finished.
- Try to smooth out any wrinkles as you spline the final side. If there is a sag or wrinkle at this point or at any other moment during the procedure, you can always remove the spline there, tighten up the area, and then re-install the spline.
- Recheck the entire boundary to ensure that the spline is fully pushed down.
Step 6: Trim Excess Screen
- Trim the extra screen after the entire perimeter has been splined.
- Incorporate a fresh, cutting edge in the utility knife. As you did when trimming the spline, begin in one corner of the spline and position the blade so as not to unintentionally cut the screen.
- Cut carefully and slightly under pressure along the outer edge spline in the direction of yourself. (When cutting aluminum, you might need to press a little harder.) You don't want to cut the spline, so don't rush this step. perhaps even you. Take out the trash.