A hole or tear in the fabric of a door or window screen is all that it takes to let in persistent bugs. And, if a small hole or tear isn’t repaired promptly, it is bound to grow larger. Fortunately, you can repair holes and tears up to about 3 inches in diameter, and, when done properly, the patch will be barely visible. Holes larger than 3 inches generallly call for replacing the screen fabric or the screen itself.
The right way to repair a hole or tear will depend upon the type of screen fabric. Two main types are common: fiberglass and metal. Fiberglass screening has a soft, plastic-like feel. Metal screening is made of tiny metal (usually aluminum) wires woven together.
If your screening is fiberglass, you can repair a tiny hole by simply daubing it with clear nail polish. This will weld the broken filaments together. To repair up-to-3-inch holes in both fiberglass and metal screens, you can buy self-adhesive pre-made patches for a few dollars or you can make your own.
To make your own patch, first cut a slightly larger patch from the same type of screening material, readily available at nearly all home improvement centers. You can use household scissors to cut fiberglass screening; for aluminum or other metal screening, use tin snips and wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.
To attach a fiberglass patch, use clear household repair cement. Thinly apply the cement around the perimeter of the patch to seal the edges, taking care not to create globs of glue.
To attach a metal screening patch, unravel the edges of the patch, bend the end wires at a right angle, push them through the screen fabric, and then bend them flat to hold the patch. Weave them into the screen fabric and then trim off any excess lengths of wire with diagonal cutting pliers.
If the hole is larger than 3 inches, you’re better off entirely replacing the screen. You can do this yourself as detailed in the article How to Replace Window Screening. Another option is to remove the damaged screen and take it to a glass dealer for repair.
With regular maintenance, your screens can last for years. Remove and clean screens every year with soapy water and a stiff bristle brush, then rinse with clear water. Clean aluminum frames with aluminum polish or steel wool, and coat them with a paste wax.
If your screens have wood frames with loose corners, reinforcing the corners with corrugated fasteners, wood screws, glued-in wood dowels, or metal reinforcing angles will extend their life. Paint wood frames every few years.
