Rescreening windows and door

[Upfisk]

After a 3 month summer camping season we are out again for 3 months in Mexico. We just noticed the upper section of our screen door has some holes as do 2 other window screens. In Arizona we have seen grasshoppers chew holes in fabric screen, which these are. We'd prefer to replace with black aluminum screen. Has anyone done this, suggestions or advise?

[cpaharley2008]

I believe the door is similar to residential screen replacement, you purchase the screen and the spline replace,,,,,,,

[Upfisk]

We are wanting aluminium screen which is more difficult to work with than fiber. On our house we had difficulty with the shop doing rescreening, the aluminum pulled the frames when the spline was inserted making the frames narrower that necessary, we had gaps along the edges. That's why we asked if anyone had done aluminum rescreening. Do we need to build an interior frame or jig to keep the flimsy frames in the correct shape?

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Upfisk

We are wanting aluminium screen which is more difficult to work with than fiber. On our house we had difficulty with the shop doing rescreening, the aluminum pulled the frames when the spline was inserted making the frames narrower that necessary, we had gaps along the edges. That's why we asked if anyone had done aluminum rescreening. Do we need to build an interior frame or jig to keep the flimsy frames in the correct shape?

I think a jig would make it easier, maybe even necessary. I've rescreened home frames and they were much stiffer than the ones in my Escape windows. Ended up with the gap problem you mentioned in the middle of the frame. The frames on the Escape screens are awfully flimsy...

[Centex]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I think a jig would make it easier, maybe even necessary. ....

This! (BTDT, many re-screening projects over the years)

Tip:

• Cut a piece of masonite / thin hardboard to fit snug 'true and square' inside your largest screen frame, lay your frame over that jig on your worksurface and proceed to install the screen. If your frames have rounded corners as some RV windows do, clip the corners of the jig where the radius starts.
• Lacking helping hands, tape can be helpful to ensure the frame does not 'jump the jig' while rolling-in the spline (I work unassisted).
• Be sure to use the proper spline material, if installing a thicker-than-original mesh into a frame you may need spline material of small cross-section than the original - different cross-section diameters are available.
• Cut down the 'jig' progressively as you work your way through your decreasing-size screens.
• If you're lucky with your sizes one piece of jig material will do 'em all.

It's worked well for me using a variety of screen materials including very heavy metal mesh in light aluminum frames, hope that helps, Have Fun!