Door Screen Replacement: A Step-By-Step Guide

Over time, your door screen may become worn out or even ripped and need replacing. Luckily, learning how to replace the screen on a screen door isn't a difficult task and can be knocked out in no time.

It's important to have a door screen that's in good shape. They provide good ventilation. They also keep animals and pests outside. This helps keep your pets and children safe inside.

Instead of paying someone to do the job, we’ll show you how to rescreen a screen door. This way, you can do it yourself and save money.

What You'll Need

You won’t have to break the bank to fix a screen door. All it takes are a few simple tools, and you’ll have a fresh screen in no time.

• Window screening (available at any home improvement store)
• Spline (rubber material used to hold screen in place)
• A spline roller (looks like a pizza cutter, used to set the spline in place)
• A flathead screwdriver
• A sturdy pair of scissors
• Utility knife (box-cutter, exacto)

Steps to Replacing Your Door Screen

All you'll need to change the screen on a door is a little bit of free time and a few materials. Below, we’ll walk you through the simple steps.

1. Make Sure You Have Everything

Every project is made a whole lot easier when you're fully prepared. First and foremost, you'll need the new screen. You can get door screen material from your local hardware store. Be sure to measure how much screen you'll need.

Make sure you have all the tools we listed above. This way, you won’t need to run back and forth while replacing the screen in a sliding door or a standard storm door.

2. Remove Your Old Door Screen

To make the process easier, take off the door from its hinges and lay it flat on a surface. If you have any handle hardware covering the screen, remove that too.

Next, remove the spline using a screwdriver or pick. Be gentle to avoid damaging the frame. If the spline is brittle or damaged, it's best to replace it with a new one.

Once the spline is out, the old screen should come off easily. Clean the inside of the frame to remove dust, dirt, or debris.

3. Cut Your New Door Screen

It's important to buy more screen material than you actually need. You can always cut any excess off, but you can't add any if you've cut too much.

Lay your replacement screen over the door and cut the edges to leave at least a couple inches of overhang. You can cut the screen using sturdy scissors or a knife of your choosing, whichever you prefer.

4. Secure the Screen into the Frame

Using your spline roller, carefully press the screen into the grooves of the frame. Make sure you pull the screen tight enough on the edges so that you don't get any waves in the screen.

Roll the screen into all four sides to secure the screen in the frame before you install the spline.

5. Install the Spline on Your Door Screen

Once your screen is set securely in the frame, you can roll the spline into the grooves. Before rolling the spline into place, you need to measure out the right amount. Use the same method as we discussed with the door screen - leave some excess material so you can cut it down to the right length.

Once you've measured out how much spline you need, you can roll it into the grooves over the screen using your spline roller. Remember to keep the screen taut while rolling in the spline and don't use too much pressure as you don't want to cut the screen.

After you roll the spline around the entire frame, cut any excess material and secure it in the grooves. It's good measure to go over once more with a screwdriver or spline roller to make sure it's in place and tightly secured.

6. Trim Away the Excess

After installing the spline on your door screen, now you can cut off the remaining screen material. Be sure to take your time while doing this so you can keep the edges as clean as possible.

Use your box cutter or exacto knife to get as close to the frame as you can. No need to rush your door screen replacement because then you might scratch your door frame, over-cut the screen or even accidentally cut yourself.

7. Reinstall Your Door

Once everything is in place, install the door back where it belongs. For a storm door, screw the hinges back on and reinstall any hardware.

If you’re replacing the screen in a sliding door, you may need to reinsert rollers or follow additional steps depending on the model.

Your Door Screen Replacement Is Complete

Changing the screen on a door is a simple task you can usually complete in about an hour.

While replacing your screen you might notice that the whole door is a little worn. In such a case, you can get a free quote right now for the best storm doors in the Midwest.

When you do choose Feldco for your new screen door, you'll have the assurance that if anything were to happen to your screen, we'll re-screen it for you. In such a case, contact your local showroom and they'll handle it for you so you don't have to worry about replacing the screen yourself.