Tools and Materials
Tools
- Tin Snips
Hair Dryer (Optional)
Materials
- Screen Patches
Nail Polish (Optional)
Product costs, availability and itme numbers may vary online or by market.
The Importance of Window Screens and Door Screens
In addition to protecting your home from the elements, screens increase curb appeal, deflect water and protect windows from dirt and debris. Rips, holes or other types of damage in window or door screens are an open invitation for pesky insects and other pests to make their way into your home. Keeping your window or door screens tear-free gives you peace of mind. Repairing damaged screens as soon as you notice them helps prevent the rips or holes from spreading.
Screen Repair
Aluminum mesh is the most common material used for window and door screens. While it’s prone to dents, it’s more durable than fiberglass. However, it’s still susceptible to damage. Fiberglass is another common material used for window and door screens. It’s lighter than aluminum but more prone to tears. Whichever screen material you’re repairing, screen patches work best for small tears or holes.
If your screen has a lot of large holes or rips, now might be the perfect time to replace the inner screen or purchase a whole new screen.
Our articles, How to Replace a Window Screen and Replacement Window Screen Buying Guide, are good resources to help get you started.
Patching an Aluminum Screen
Repairing a screen is easy to do. Patch kits contain several small pre-cut squares with wire ends that go through the screen’s mesh. The patches come in different colors so that you’re able to match the patch as closely as you can to your screen.
Repairing the Aluminum Screen
Patching a Fiberglass Screen
Like aluminum screen repair, window screen repair for fiberglass screens is quick and easy. Repair smaller rips and holes with self-adhesive patches. If you need to patch long tears, use screen repair materials that come in long tape form.