Can you Rescreen a screen door?

Yes, it is possible to rescreen a screen door. Screen doors are exterior doors that have mesh screens installed in them to allow air flow while keeping insects outside. Over time, the screen material can become damaged or worn out, requiring replacement. Rescreening a screen door involves removing the old screen material and installing new screening. This can be done as a DIY project or by hiring a professional. The steps include taking off the screen door, removing the existing screen, measuring and cutting new screen material, attaching the new screen, and rehanging the screen door. With the right materials and some basic handyman skills, rescreening a screen door is a straightforward task.

When to Consider Rescreening Your Screen Door

There are a few signs that indicate it is time to rescreen your screen door:

– Holes, tears, or fraying in the mesh – Damaged screen allows bugs and other pests to get inside. Even small holes or tears can be enough for mosquitos and flies to pass through.

– Sagging screen – Screen material that is stretched out and sagging no longer presents a tight barrier. It’s easier for the screen to get further damaged when it’s sagging.

– Poor fit – If the screen is ill-fitting or shrunk, gaps may allow insects or debris inside. Proper rescreening includes replacing any frame pieces that aren’t fitting tightly.

– Discoloration or rust – Severely discolored or rusted screen reduces visibility and indicates the material is weakening. Rusting frame pieces should be replaced as well.

– Wanting better ventilation – Improving air flow is another reason to upgrade your screen material during a rescreening project. New screen can provide better ventilation.

If you notice any of these issues with your screen door, it’s a sign that it’s time to invest in rescreening. Catching damaged screens early makes the rescreening process easier in the long run.

DIY Rescreening vs Hiring a Professional

You have two options when tackling a screen door rescreening project: DIY or hire a professional. Here are some of the pros and cons of each approach:

**DIY Rescreening**

Pros:
– More affordable – DIY is cheaper than paying for labor and expertise.
– Satisfaction of completing it yourself – Rescreening yourself can be a rewarding weekend project.
– Customization – You can pick the exact screen material you want.

Cons:
– Learning curve – If you’ve never done it before, there is a technique to rescreening correctly.
– Time consuming – It will likely take a full day (or more) start to finish.
– Physical effort – Rescreening involves cutting tight screen, pulling screen tight, and tackling fiddly hardware.
– Risk of damaging door – Mistakes like cutting the screen wrong are harder to fix yourself.

**Hiring a Professional**

Pros:
– It gets done quickly – A professional team can rescreen efficiently in just a few hours.
– Experts handle tricky parts – Pros have the tools and skills to get the screen taut and secured correctly.
– Warranty or guaruntee – Many pros provide a warranty on their work.
– Less hassle – You avoid the headaches and physical effort of DIY.

Cons:
– More expensive – Professional labor and fees add cost.
– Scheduling – You have to arrange a service appointment.

Which option is best often comes down to your specific situation. DIY makes sense if you’re handy, have time to spare, and want to save money. Hiring a pro is best if time is limited, you don’t have DIY skills, and your door needs extensive repairs.

What You’ll Need for DIY Rescreening

If you decide to tackle rescreening your screen door yourself, there are some supplies you will need:

– **New screen material** – Fiberglass or aluminum screen mesh specifically made for screen doors. Get enough to cover your opening with extra for attaching.

– **Screening tool kit** – Contains tools like a roller, knife, pliers, and spline. Specialty tools make stretching and securing new screen much easier.

– **Screwdriver** – A Philips head screwdriver can take off door hardware.

– **Scissors** – Scissors trim screen once attached.

– **Tape measure** – Measure twice and cut once! A tape measure ensures accurate cuts.

– **Utility knife** – For trimming excess screen or cutting spline.

– **Pliers** – Makes pulling screen taut easier. Needle nose pliers are ideal.

– **Safety equipment** – At a minimum, wear gloves and safety glasses.

– **Ladder** – For accessing upper doors or transoms.

– **Caulk** – For sealing corners and edges when done. Ensures pests stay out.

Gather all necessary supplies before starting. Having the right DIY rescreening tools on hand makes the project much more manageable for first timers. Don’t forget safety gear either!

How to Rescreen a Screen Door

Ready to tackle that rescreening project? Follow these key steps:

1. Remove the existing screen

Start by fully removing the old, damaged screen material. Take the screen door off its hinges and place it on a flat surface like saw horses. Take out any nails, existing spline, or other fasteners. Scrape off any remaining screen bits or debris.

2. Clean the frame

Give the now empty frame, inside and out, a thorough cleaning. This prepares the surfaces for optimum screen installation. Pay special attention to any rusty or corroded areas that may need sanding or replacement.

3. Measure precisely

Precisely measure each side of the frame opening. Record the measurements to know how large your new screen material needs to be cut. Measure twice for accuracy. Include extra material of at least 2 inches on each edge to provide room for attaching the screen.

4. Cut the new screen

Lay out the new screen and use a sharp utility knife to cut it to size based on your frame measurements. Cut carefully and deliberately. Wear gloves and eye protection. If the screen is aluminum, tin snips may be needed.

5. Secure one side

Start attaching the screen on just one side of the frame. Use a screening tool or spline roller to press the screen into the frame’s groove. Only insert the spline partially at this stage.

6. Pull screen taut

Now comes the tricky part – pulling the screen tightly across the frame. Use a helper if needed. The goal is to get all slack out. Use pliers to grip and evenly tug the screen.

7. Press in spline

With the screen pulled tightly across, finish pressing the spline into the groove around all sides. Cut off excess spline with wire cutters once attached. The spline holds the screen in place.

8. Trim excess screen

Use sharp scissors to trim any excess screen material hanging off the edges, leaving about an inch extra. Avoid nicking or puncturing the screen.

9. Reattach door hardware

Reattach any necessary latches, springs, or other hardware removed originally. Make sure the frame and screen are intact before rehanging the door.

10. Hang and seal

It’s time to hang the rescreened door back in place. Reattach hinges and test operation. Seal edges with exterior caulk to prevent pests entering around the frame.

And that’s it – you’ve successfully rescreened your screen door yourself! Just be patient, take your time, and use proper tools and materials for best results.

Tips for DIY Success

Here are some additional pointers to help your DIY screen door rescreening project go smoothly:

– Watch tutorial videos to understand the process before starting

– Lay screen on a flat, clean surface – not dirt or grass

– Always pull the screen tight vertically first, then move to the sides

– Wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges

– Use a roller or squeegee tool to apply even pressure in the track

– Have someone help hold the screen taut while you insert spline

– Use rustproof spline for aluminum and outdoor screen doors

– Change direction frequently when cutting screen to avoid fraying

– Take your time and don’t rush through any steps

– Start on a cool day when the frame and screen won’t expand or contract

– Apply exterior caulk around the frame to seal gaps bugs can use

Following these tips will lead to tight, professional looking screen that withstands outdoor elements and keeps insects out of your home.

Common Problems When Rescreening

Despite best efforts, some issues can pop up during a DIY screen door rescreening project:

**Screen is not taut enough**

This causes ripples or bubbles in the screen. You need to pull the screen as tight as possible across the frame before inserting spline. Any slack at all will lead to a loose screen.

**Screen got cut too small**

Measuring incorrectly can lead to screen that is too small to properly attach. Always measure each side independently and add at least 2 extra inches.

**Spline won’t fit in the channel**

If the spline and channel don’t seem to match, you may be using incorrect materials. Make sure both are designed for screen doors, not window screens.

**Dog-ears on the corners**

Corners that stick out unevenly indicate the screen is not aligned correctly in the frame. Stretch and align the screen carefully before attaching spline.

**Hardware holes don’t line up**

Removing hardware like latches can allow holes to become misaligned. Carefully realign any holes before attempting to reattach hardware.

**Screen gets damaged during installation**

Use a very sharp blade and cut slowly to avoid fraying or tearing. Any nicks or punctures ruin the screen’s protective ability.

**Frame pieces are bent or warped**

Bent frame parts prevent proper screen installation. Sand down high spots or replace warped wood pieces for a smooth frame.

Patience and attention to detail can help avoid most DIY mishaps. Having extra screen and backup tools on hand also helps you recover from any mistakes.

Hiring a Professional Rescreener

After reading this guide, a professional rescreening may sound easier! Here are some tips if you decide to hire a company to rescreen your screen door for you:

– Get at least 3 quotes – Prices can vary widely company to company.

– Ask about their experience – Pick a company that rescreens doors regularly.

– Look for positive reviews – Online reviews highlight dependable companies.

– Verify they have insurance – You want coverage in case of damages.

– Choose quality materials – Don’t go for the cheapest screen.

– Get a written warranty – Many offer multi-year warranties on parts and labor.

– Check their availability – Some may be booked out weeks in advance.

– Request details upfront – Exact pricing, expected timeframe, etc.

– Be home during the work – Keep an eye on the process and results.

– Inspect for neat seams – Screens should be taut and straight.

Hiring out saves you time and hassle. Just be sure to do some research to find a reputable professional for the job.

Cost to Professionally Rescreen a Door

If hiring a company, what should you expect to pay? Professional screen door rescreening costs typically range from $100 to $300. The exact price depends on these factors:

– Your location – Labor rates vary by region

– Size of the door – Larger doors require more materials and time

– Damages needing repair – Fixing frames or hardware adds cost

– Type of screen material – Aluminum is more expensive than fiberglass

– Single door vs double – Double screen doors cost more

– Additional services – Painting, sealing, etc may be add-ons

– Time of year – Peak seasons in summer may carry premium pricing

The best way to get an accurate price quote is to get on-site estimates from local companies. Be sure to get guaranteed pricing in writing before work begins.

Conclusion

Rescreening a screen door revitalizes your entryway and keeps flying pests out of your home. With some basic skills and tools, DIY rescreening can save money over hiring a professional. However, for fast service and optimal results, a quality handyman is worth the price.

Whether you DIY or hire it out, proper preparation is key. Measure carefully, use quality spline and screen, and be ready with backup supplies. With attention to detail, you can avoid frustrating errors and end up with a like-new screen door to enjoy all season long.

Key Takeaways

– Look for holes, sagging, poor fit, and rust when checking if a screen door needs rescreening.

– DIY rescreening requires specialty tools but saves on labor costs. Professionals have the expertise for fast, quality results.

– Carefully measure, cut, stretch, and secure the new screen using spline pressed into the frame groove.

– Prevent common problems like tears, bubbles, and dog-ears by working slowly and pulling the screen tight.

– Research and get quotes to find a qualified professional rescreener in your area at a fair price.