Over time, screens can develop holes, sag, or work loose from their frames. All of these problems can be easily solved if they have not become too severe.

With regular maintenance, your screens can last for years. Clean screens every year or so with a stiff bristle brush. If you have galvanized metal screening, apply thinned screen enamel, paint, or varnish to them and paint the frames every few years. Clean aluminum frames with aluminum polish or steel wool and coat with a paste wax.

If your screens have wood frames, reinforcing the corners with corrugated fasteners, wood screws, glued-in wood dowels, or metal reinforcing angles will extend their life. Simple glue will not work well unless you are gluing wood grain to wood grain.

If a hole or tear is large, it’s better to replace the entire screen rather than try to patch the hole.

Wear gloves when cutting metal screening. When you unroll the screen fabric, place the curved side down. Use a pencil and straightedge to mark for the cut. Cut metal screening with tin snips; you can cut vinyl screening with scissors or by drawing a utility knife along a straightedge.