I suspect some of you have had to replace the screens on the entry screen door? I've been researching the screen replacement kits and have found that the spline comes in two sizes: .160 and .180. Does anyone happen to know right off which size our coaches might use?
I've never replaced a screen before, but the process looks fairly simple. However, I'm also wondering how easy it might be to do with the screen door still attached to the coach... as opposed to removing the door and placing the door on saw horses???
Any advice or tips to share?
Russell,
We ended up pulling the screen door off and doing it on the pick nick table. It took too much force to push in the spline and being vertical it was awkward to work with.
We used a heavy duty screen and went with .160
Don't forget to pick up a spline tool if you don't have one they really work and make the job go so much faster.
Pamela
I have done a number of coach screens and a screen door. I am not sure what the size of the spline but you should be able to use your old spline. The splines I was able to find at the hardware stores were all to large. I don't think either the .160 or .180 are the correct size but I am not sure of that.
I highly recommend removal of the screen. As mentioned, a lot of pressure is required and I don't think you can exert that much pressure with the screen in place. The only tools I used were the spline tool and a very sharp razor knife. The process is fairly simple. Find the end of the spline at one of the corners and use the razor knife to dig the end out of the groove. Very carefully remove the spline and set aside for reuse. Remove the old screen. Lay new screen over the frame and rough cut it where there is about 2" overlapping the frame. Start reinstalling the spline at a corner and very carefully press it in place all around the frame with the spline tool. It should tighten up as you go. The final step is trimming the excess screen at the edge of the groove to a nice neat finish. That's it.
Russell,
It's important to lay the screen on a solid surface like a table larger than the screen, or even the floor.
That's exactly what I needed ... As always...THANKS!!!!!
Russell,
I have re-screened a large sliding screen door at least six times. We had a dog who figured out how to get through the screen instead of the door. Here are my suggestions:
1) work with a piece of screening that has at least 4 inches surplus on each side.
2) do a long side first.
3) do the opposite side next
4) then do the short sides.
If you do adjoining sides one after the other, you will not get as smooth an install as you would like..
That extra 4 inches on each side will give you something to pull on to keep the screen from puckering.
I hope this helps
Another option: Remove the screen door and take it to some one who does screen repairs. Many hardware stores (real hardware stores) do screens. Not very expensive. This is for when you have better things to do.
Thanks Guys.... The weather is warming up. May tackle it this week if the spouse doesn't come up with too many other warm weather projects.