How to Replace Screen Door Mesh to Let the Breeze In (and Keep Bugs Out)

Measure the height and width of your screen door and order more mesh than you need to cover your bases—and replace the mesh in the future if you get another hole.

You'll save yourself a major headache by removing your sliding panel or traditional storm door from its track or hinges before replacing the mesh. The process is much simpler if you work on a flat and secure surface. Here's how to remove the most common types of doors.

Removing a Sliding Door

Sliding door panels come off their tracks easier than you'd expect, especially the lighter frames that hold screens. If you cannot simply lift the door off its track and pull it toward you, use a screwdriver to adjust the rollers at the bottom of the door through the roller adjustment holes. Turn the screw counterclockwise to move the wheels out of the way and pop out the door.

Removing a Storm Door

Use a screwdriver or screw gun to remove the exterior screws on the hinges of your storm door. The door should come right off once the screws are removed. Be sure to put them aside in a safe place for later.

Lay the door flat with the back of the screen facing toward you. Secure it to a table or floor either with strong tape or clamps. Take a moment to inspect the parts of the door. The edge of the mesh sits within a channel and is secured in place by what's known as a spline. You will use your spline roller—which is specifically used for this type of work—to add your new mesh.

Use your flathead screwdriver to pry up a loose section of your spline until it's easy to grasp with your fingers. You should be able to pull the spline out easily, releasing the mesh from the screen door entirely.

Lay your new mesh over the open screen door so it overlaps on all sides. Trim the edges so at least a few inches hang off each side, and it goes beyond the door frame itself. This will ensure you have more than enough screen to secure and trim after you're done.

Use the convex side of your spline roller—the side where the edge of the roller sticks outward—and press the edge of the screen into one of the channels. As you move it around the screen's edge, pull the mesh taut so you get a nice clean look.

Flip your spline roller over to the concave side—the end with a small track on the outside of the roller. Press the edge of your spline into one corner of your screen door and roll the spline roller along the whole length of the side, securing the screen in the channel. You can either use your old spline or replace it with a new one.

Once you've fully fastened your mesh in the screen door with the spline, it's time to trim off the excess. Wearing your safety gloves, place a sharp utility knife on the screen right outside the spline. As closely and cleanly as possible, move the utility knife away from you, trimming off one edge at a time.

Your screen mesh is now as good as new, and you're ready to pop that door back on its track and hinges. Reverse the method you used earlier—either by snapping it back onto the track and lowering the wheels or by screwing the door back to the hinges.