Covering all the essential steps for installation
You may be surprised to know that not every part of your doors and windows needs to be replaced by professionals. In a lot of cases, you can replace door and window parts yourself.
A perfect example is the flyscreen mesh you’ll find on your window. These mesh panels are primarily used to help let in fresh air while keeping pets and pests at bay.
It’s natural that elements of your windows and doors, like the flyscreen mesh, deteriorate over time. Pets, insects, dust, and weather all play their part.
Whatever the reason is for your flyscreen mesh wearing out, there’s an easy way to fix it. Using the right tools and supplies, you can replace your flyscreen mesh at home. With the following steps, we’ll show you how to remove your old mesh from the flyscreen frame and replace it with a new one.
Step 1
First off, you’ll need to remove the entire flyscreen frame from the window. Flyscreens may be assembled onto the window internally or externally.
Window frames may be either timber or aluminium. Most screens are fitted with a pull tab located near the base or side of the screen.
Most timber windows have locating swivels, clips, or plungers that retain the screen onto the frame. These are usually straightforward and easy to remove.
Screens fitted to aluminium windows generally slot into an extruded cavity and may include plunger pins or retaining springs fitted to the side of the screen.
It pays to exercise care when removing these screens as they generally need to slide upward and to one side to expose the opposite corner.
The pull tabs help with the screen’s removal. Take care not to forcefully remove the screen, or the frame may be kinked or damaged in the process.
Step 2
Next up, you’ll need to rest the flyscreen frame on a flat surface. For this task, a large table or workbench will do.
To avoid scratching the screen frame, it’s handy to cover the surface with a sheet or towel beforehand.
Now grab your flathead screwdriver and gently press it down into the corner of the frame. What you’re aiming to do here is pry out the old spline.
The spline is the part that helps retain the mesh in the frame. It looks like flexible tubing which is wedged tightly into the frame.
Once you have pulled out a small part of the spline, it should be easy to grip. As you’re holding the spline, gently pull it out by following the edges of the frame.
Keep peeling along the edges until the spline is completely removed. From here, you should be able to gently tug the flyscreen mesh out of the frame if it hasn’t come out already with the spline.
Now that you have easy access to the flyscreen frame, it’s a good idea to give it a good clean. Also, clean the spline if you intend to reuse it.
Step 3
Your next step involves placing the new flyscreen mesh over the frame. Try to overlap the mesh over the frame’s edges by at least 5cm.
Inspect the spline you originally removed from the frame. If it’s still in good condition, then it can be reused.
If the spline is damaged or hard, then a new, equal-thickness spline may be required. At this point, there is no need to cut the spline to length.
Now it’s time to grab your spline roller. This is the tool you’ll be using to roll the spline and flyscreen mesh back into the frame.
Square up the mesh with one of the vertical sides of the frame and place the spline along that edge.
IMPORTANT: if your replacement mesh is aluminium, you will need to gently ‘trench.’
The mesh into the frame using the spline roller before rolling in the spline.
Do this down one side first, then roll in the spline. Repeat for each following side.
Aluminium mesh will tear if this process is not followed correctly.
Keeping the mesh square, gently roll in the spline. Repeat this along the following side, making sure the screen is running square to the frame.
Once you are ready to spline the mesh into the third side, gently place your other hand on the mesh on the inside edge of the frame while rolling in the spline.
This helps resist the screen over-tensioning the frame and bowing in the sides. Repeat on the last side but don’t forget to refit or replace your pull tab! The pull tab inserts between the mesh and spline.
Step 4
Now that your flyscreen mesh is securely rolled into the frame, it’s time to trim the mesh and spline it to size.
Firstly, trim off the excess spline and wedge down into the corner using a screwdriver or the back of your spline roller.
Following our safety trimmer’s instructions, trim along the edges of the frame and cut off any excess flyscreen mesh. After inspecting your flyscreen mesh panel, you may discover other parts that need replacing.
Check other components, such as the swivels, clips, or plungers, for damage or deterioration. Replace these components with new ones for peace of mind.
It’s time to refit the screen onto the window frame. Be mindful of the way it was removed, and simply install it in the reverse order. Now stand back and appreciate your good work!
Get the essentials you need from Rolltrak
Ready to give it a go and try installing a new flyscreen mesh yourself? You’ll need all the right tools for the job, like a spline roller and other flyscreen accessories.
Here at Rolltrak, we’re proud to bring you premium parts and tools for all your DIY door and window fixes. Visit our flyscreen category today to see our latest available flyscreen products.
If you’d rather see them in person, then head down to your local Bunnings Warehouse, where our entire range is out on display.
