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Repair your window screen with these innovative hacks and tricks
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There's no need to replace your window screen the first time you notice a tear. Mend your window with adhesive, a needle and thread, or a window screen patch to keep bugs out. Fix your window as soon as you notice a tear to prevent it from getting larger. Once your window is fixed, watch for signs of new wear and tear to catch holes before they begin.
Steps
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Purchase clear nail polish from a local store. After drying, nail polish works as a strong adhesive for small holes. Use nail polish on minor repairs if your tear isn't significantly gaping. Choose clear polish to make the adhesive as unnoticeable as possible. [1] X Expert Source Michael Fox
Window Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 1 December 2020.- If your screen is tinted, you can use a darker polish (like gray or black).
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Brush the nail polish directly over the tear. Place a small amount of polish over both ends of the tear to glue it together. [2] X Expert Source Michael Fox
Window Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 1 December 2020. Apply enough to coat the tear without dripping polish onto anything else. Apply the polish on both sides of the area to increase the adhesive's durability. [3] X Research source- If you're worried about accidental drips, place a cloth or paper towel over the area in which you're repairing the screen.
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Wait for the nail polish to dry. Your polish may look dry after several minutes, but it can take up to a day to dry completely. If you don't have time to let the polish dry for multiple hours, use a hair dryer on the cool setting to quicken the process. Place the blow dryer about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the screen and blast it for about one minute. [4] X Research source
- Clean your window screen with cold water to quicken the drying process. Do not clean your repaired window with hot water, as it can loosen nail polish.
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Unravel a few strands from the window screen. Sewing the screen shut is an option if the hole is too large to use adhesive. In some cases, you will not be able to sew the screen together without stitching a piece of scrap screening over the damaged area. To prep the screen for darning, unravel a few strands from the perimeter of the screen to use as your thread. [5] X Research source
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Line up the window screen seams as neatly as possible. Match the two ends of the screen as evenly as you can. If you cannot line up the two ends without leaving a noticeable hole in the middle, you may need to sew a piece of scrap screening over the hole.
- If you have any old or broken window screens, cut out a rectangle that is approximately the size of the hole. Patch screen material can work if no scrap screening is available. [6] X Research source
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Weave the strands through the screen with a needle. Once the torn edges are lined up, use a needle to weave the thread through the screen strands. If you don't have strands of screen material available, use a strong, long lasting thread (like heavy-duty or polyester thread). Make the stitches as small and identical as possible, and continue sewing until the hole is closed.
- Sew the torn edges together first and then, if the hole is still noticeable, place the patch over top and sew around its perimeter.
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Tim the damaged area into a neat square or rectangle. Using a straightedge or sharp knife, cut a clean hole around the screen tear. Make this new hole as small as possible to keep it manageable. Leave at least 1 ⁄ 2 –1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) of screen between the hole and the window frame.
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Cut a piece of patch screen material for the damaged area. The new patch should be slightly larger than the rectangular hole. [7] X Expert Source Michael Fox
Window Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 1 December 2020. Measure the patch before you cut to make certain it is at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger than the damaged area. -
Loosen the perimeter weaving of the opening and the patch. Slack ends around the opening will make it more receptive and adhered to the new patch. Make sure the entire perimeter of the patch is loosened as well. Bend each unraveled end on the sides of the patch at a 90 degree angle. [8] X Research source
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Feed the bent patch ends through the screen. Work the patch ends through the weaving surrounding the opening in the screen. Then, bend the wires of the patch flat on the other side of the screen to hold the patch in place. Finally, adhere the patch to the screen with clear, waterproof silicone glue.
- If you don't want to weave the tear together, just glue it onto the existing screen. [9]
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Expert Source
Michael Fox
Window Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 1 December 2020. - Wipe away glue drips with a microfiber cloth before they harden to keep the repair smooth.
- Clear nail polish will work as an adhesive, as well. [10]
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Expert Source
Michael Fox
Window Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 1 December 2020. - Alternatively, purchase adhesive-backed patches to securely press over the damaged area without glue.
- If you don't want to weave the tear together, just glue it onto the existing screen. [9]
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Expert Source
Michael Fox
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you fix a screen with a small rip?Michael Fox is a Window Repair Specialist and the President at Window Repair Systems and WindowHardwareDirect.com, based in Westminster, South Carolina. With over 25 years of experience, Michael specializes in commercial window repair and service. He holds a business degree from Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport. Michael has helped Window Repair Systems and WindowHardwareDirect.com become an industry leader in commercial window repair and hardware distribution, servicing schools and businesses and training large public school systems.If it's small enough, you can use clear nail polish to glue the edges of the hold together. Usually, you won't even be able to see that there was a hole.
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QuestionHow do you fix a slashed screen?Michael Fox is a Window Repair Specialist and the President at Window Repair Systems and WindowHardwareDirect.com, based in Westminster, South Carolina. With over 25 years of experience, Michael specializes in commercial window repair and service. He holds a business degree from Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport. Michael has helped Window Repair Systems and WindowHardwareDirect.com become an industry leader in commercial window repair and hardware distribution, servicing schools and businesses and training large public school systems.If there's a larger hole in a window screen, cut a piece of screen and put it over the hole. Then, use clear nail polish or another clear glue to attach it. It's also fairly easy to just buy a roll of screen mesh and rescreen the window yourself.
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Tips
- Screen repairs will keep out bugs but are generally visible. If you live in a rental house, these methods might not satisfy landlord requirements. You may need to replace the screen altogether.Thanks
- If you replace the screen, keep the old one for use as scrap screening later on.Thanks
- Generally, aluminum screens are stronger than nylon. If you do need to replace your screen, buy an aluminum screens for a tear-resistant material.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Clear nail polish
- Scrap screening
- Needle
- Strong thread (heavy-duty or polyester)
- Straightedge or utility knife
- Window screen patch
- Painter's tape
- Waterproof silicone glue
- Microfiber cloth
References
- ↑ Michael Fox. Window Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 December 2020.
- ↑ Michael Fox. Window Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 December 2020.
- ↑ https://www.pjfitz.com/diy/window-repair/how-to-patch-a-window-screen/
- ↑ https://nailknowledge.org/blog/the-science-behind-regular-nail-polish-how-does-it-work
- ↑ http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/windows/how-to-patch-a-screen/
- ↑ http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/windows/how-to-patch-a-screen/
- ↑ Michael Fox. Window Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 December 2020.
- ↑ http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/windows/how-to-patch-a-screen/
- ↑ Michael Fox. Window Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 December 2020.
- ↑ Michael Fox. Window Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 December 2020.
About This Article
Article Summary
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To repair a small tear in a window screen, try using an adhesive like nail polish. First, brush clear nail polish directly over both ends of the tear in the window screen. Wait several hours for the nail polish to dry or use a hairdryer to speed up the process. If the tear is slightly larger, you can use a patch of old screen material to repair it. First, trim the tear into a neat square or rectangle so it's easier to repair. Cut a piece of old screen material that is at least 1 inch larger than the tear. Use a pair of pliers to bend each unraveled end around the perimeter of the patch at a 90-degree angle. Weave the unraveled ends of the patch into the tear in the screen and then apply a clear adhesive around the edge to hold it in place. For more information on repairing a tear in a window screen, like how to sew together a small tear, read on.
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Reader Success Stories
- "We have replaced screens, and do it when needed. But repairing first is an awesome quick fix until the hole or slit is too large. Thanks for the nail polish tip for a small tear!" ..." more
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