A fiberglass screen will feel as if it is made from fabric as opposed to the metal feel of an aluminum screen. A hole, rip, or tear in fiberglass that is three inches or less can be patched, but the patch will show. An alternative is to replace the entire screen. A damaged area greater than three inches long will require that the entire screen be replaced. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Damaged area is three inches or less
1. Remove the screen in its frame from the window and lay it on a flat surface. Remove the damaged part of the screen by cutting a square-shaped hole around it. Use a straightedge and a sharp utility knife to prevent this cut from looking ragged. Keep the hole as small as possible. Do not cut right up against the metal frame, but leave at least a ½-inch of old screening in place, even if torn.
2. Cut a patch of new fiberglass screen that is 1/2 inch larger, all the way around, than the hole you cut in Step 1. New fiberglass screening can be purchased at a building supply store. No more than six inches of it is needed. Be sure that the mesh of the new screen matches the mesh of your screen.
3. Place wax paper under the hole. Place the patch over the hole and center it. Apply rubber-based glue or super glue gel in a bead all the way around the hole. Spread the glue through the patch and window screen using a flat wooden stick. Make sure the edges of the patch are covered with glue so the edges will lie flat.
4. Wait five minutes, then lift the screen and remove the wax paper. Once the glue dries, place the screen back on the window.
Damaged area is greater than three inches
5. Remove the rubber tubing (called a "spline") that fits into the channel running along the edge of a metal frame. The screen will lift out of the frame. Handle the spline carefully as you will need to re-use it. You also can buy new spline.
6. Cut the new screen to the frame's outside measurement.
7. Push the edge of the screen into the frame's channel at the top and along one side. A spline installation tool, available at building supply stores, can help with this. Spline installation tools come in several sizes, so get the size that will fit into your frame's channel. Pull the screening tightly and tuck it into the grooves on the remaining sides of the frame.
8. Return the rubber tubing into the frame's channel to hold the screen in place. Use the spline installation tool to help push the spline into place. Cut off any excess screening.
Tags: three inches, frame channel, area greater, area greater than, building supply, Damaged area, entire screen