How to Re-Screen Your Basement Window

I kind of feel like I have no right to tell you how to do this project because I didn't watch a single video,  and I didn't read the directions on the package.  I just winged it and had perfect results.  So to me, that should tell you how easy this project is that you might be putting off.

Meet our crappy 24 year old basement window.

Yep, those are pieces of scotch tape over holes so that hopefully not so many spiders would make their way in as well as a layer of scunge from lint and spiderwebs.  It does not make for a showpiece on the patio.  It's the time of year when all of the bugs are trying to find their way inside and I knew I needed to bite the bullet after years of saying we needed a new screen.  Problem was, we had a weird height/width screen (of course) so finding one that would fit was impossible without ordering a custom size.  $70+??  No thank you.  I'll re-screen it.  Have I ever done it?  No.  But it seemed fairly straight forward so I went for it.  

Here's what you'll need:

Screen Repair Kit

Here's what isn't necessary but helped tremendously:

Mini Metal Clamps

Craft Knives

Butter Knife

I got my re-screening kit all opened and ready to go.

The Mr had better luck with our putty knife than I had with the butter knife, so I'd suggest that for fast work of removing the old tubing that holds the screen in place.  Then just pop the screen out, roll it up and chuck it.

Clean off the decades of life on the frame with a wipe or Magic Eraser.

Lay the frame on top of the screen and cut around the frame so there's about an inch overlap past it.

Now it's time to get started on the tubing that will hold your new screen in place.  Line it up with the corner and make sure it's draped over your work space going the direction you'll be rolling so it doesn't work against you.

This is where I found little metal clamps we had on hand to be very handy.  It held the screen in place and taut while I worked.  If you don't have any, they're good for a myriad of projects and should be in every home in my opinion.

They give you the roller which works fine but I felt it took way too much pressure on its own to not make my hands utterly ache after a few rolls.  So  I used a butter knife to do the initial tuck on either side of the tubing, which in turn, pulled the screen tight into the spot.  Then I would use the roller to get it firmly into place.

This method seemed to speed things up tremendously.  Just keep working around the perimeter of the frame making sure to move the clamps as you get close to them because they don't have any give when they're still attached and you could risk a rip.  Just tuck with the knife, roll with the roller taking care to really tuck well in the corners.

When you're done, it's time to cut off the excess.  I have these awesome Pen Blades for crafting that are much easier to handle than a box cutter or X-acto knife but any cutting tool will do.  Gently but firmly run the blade along the frame just above the tubing.

It comes off nicely and gives a clean look.

Then voila!  You're done!  No lie, I actually heard this in my head when I finished.

Nice and taut.  No saggy or wavy sections like I feared going in and now I feel like kind of a rock star.  It took just over 20 minutes.  That kit will do either one patio door, two windows or three to four basement windows.  I will take $12 over $70+ any day y'all!

I'm not saying I did this 100% correct according to experts or people who think they're experts.  I'm sure others might have a better way but "right" or not, this worked and I'm super pleased!  So if you've been putting off any screen repair, I can vouch it's way easier than you think!

You've got this!

====================
Like this post? Don't miss another one...subscribe via email or RSS feed. (Or you can follow me on Facebook )  Some posts may contain affiliate links that help keep this blog running at no cost to you.  See the Disclaimer page for more info.