How to replace a flyscreen

[Tara86]

Difficulty: Beginner

Replacing flyscreen is a quick, easy and inexpensive job. It enables you to ensure there’s plenty of fresh air in the house while keeping the insects outside where they belong.

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Steps

Step 1

Before removing the flyscreen, give it a quick brush or wipe down. Make sure you remove any spiderwebs or built-up dust.

  

Step 2

Remove the flyscreen frame and lay down on a flat surface with the spline groove facing upwards. Place the screwdriver beside the spline and wedge it underneath. Do this until you are able to lift it up enough to grab. Then proceed to remove the rest of the spline. 

  

Step 3

Now the spline is removed you will be able to remove the old mesh screen. But before you replace the mesh, check the frame is square by measuring corner to corner diagonally. If each diagonal measurement is the same, then the frame is square. If slightly out, use a hammer to gently tap the corners until square.

Step 4

Place new mesh over the top of the frame. Ensure there is a minimum 2cm overhang on all sides before cutting with scissors.

Step 5

Inserting the new spline can be tricky and requires a little patience. Be careful not split the spline or damage the mesh. Push the spline end into a corner using your screwdriver.

Step 6

Use the spline roller to finish inserting the rest of the spline. Be mindful to pull the excess mesh slightly when using the roller. This will add extra support and helps stop the mesh catching underneath the spline. Use the screwdriver to finish off and push the spline into the frame at the corners.

  

Step 7

Remove the overhang with scissors or preferably a utility knife for a closer finish. After a quick wipe down, your flyscreen is now ready to be hung back on the window.

    

Materials

• Flyscreen mesh

• Flyscreen spline

Tools

• Spline roller

• Tape measure

• Brush or cloth

• Screwdriver

• Scissors

• Utility knife

• Hammer

Images

[Pixie]

Hi, I've got security screens that need doing. I have no idea how to remove screens to do the job.  Need to do mine asap to keep midges out. Thx

[Jason]

Hi @Pixie,

Could you please share some photos so we can see what you are working with? 

Many thanks,

Jason

[Pixie]

Hi, 

I can replace fly screen wire.  The help I need is how to remove Security screen from window? 

I don't know how to get it out from window frame. I hope this makes sense.

[Jason]

That makes perfect sense @Pixie but it's going to be difficult for our members to provide advice without seeing what you are working with. Can you please share some photos? 

Thanks,

Jason

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Pixie.

Is the security screen screwed into the window frame at all or is it in a sliding track? Common fly screens in sliding tracks systems will often lift up to clear the bottom track and then be freely removable.

It will be great to receive some pictures so I may assist you further.

Mitchell

[debmorant]

My plunger pins go through the frame and spline. How do I get them out? 

[Pixie]

Hi, sorry I haven’t been on for quite sometime. But I’m back. Still haven’t replaced fly screens on windows as yet.  I’ll do pictures tomorrow.  Total inside of 1 frame measurement is 1200mm x 1200mm.  Screens look like they been riveted in. 
We will drill rivets out unless someone can recommend another way to remove screen.
Sliding door security screens I know how to remove.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @debmorant. It's fabulous to have you join us and many thanks for your question.

As far as I am aware, a plunger pin is normally not installed through the spline and shouldn't obstruct you from replacing the fly screen on a frame which has them installed. Is there a reason that you would like to remove them? The only way I know of removing them from the frame itself is to tap them out with a hammer in the reverse fashion in which they were installed. I believe this could potentially damage your frame.

If you could provide some more detail on why you wish to remove them and perhaps an image of them, we can assist further.

Mitchell

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Pixie,

It's great to hear you still have plans to complete your project. I'll be looking forward to those pictures.

Mitchell

[Pixie]

Hi guys,

I think these screens are going to drive me crazy.  We have roller shutters, the top of roller shutter blocks access to screen.  It shouldn't be a problem but the security screens are riveted on through window frame.  At this rate the only way to replace them will be whilst they are still on the window frame.  

 

you can see in pic the panel of roller shutter

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Pixie,

I'm sorry to hear you are having issues. Perhaps you might like to show the rivets' locations, and we might advise how to access them. If the roller shutter completely covers them, then there are not too many options. Where is the spline which retains the fly screen located and can you access it with the screen fixed in place?

Mitchell

[Pixie]

Hi Mitchell

The only option to replace flyscreens is with frame still fixed in place.  Those rivets, some are up top. Not accessible unless I want to pull roller shutters down.  Thank you for your support. 

[Robyn3]

 

I need  some guidance please.. I'm thinking Ill install some pins but I cant see how they can be installed unless you drill through the spine.. but I see this comment from MitchellMc

"As far as I am aware, a plunger pin is normally not installed through the spline "

 so how would that be done??

[EricL]

Hi @Robyn3 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's marvellous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about installing a plunger pin.

I understand that it can be a bit confusing, would it be possible for you to post a picture of your flyscreen frame and a photo of how thick your aluminium frame is? Ideally you want to avoid drilling into your spline but instead into the frame itself if it is thick enough. 

Sometimes it is not possible to install a plunger pin, instead I suggest using a flyscreen swivel clip. It's just as convenient and you don't need to drill into the frame of the spline. 

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles when working on your project.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric