Rescreening with Phifer Aluminum Screen in Aluminum Frames
1. Lay screen frame on smooth, flat surface such as a table or a workbench.
2. Use a screwdriver or knife to pry up the end of the old retainer spline and pull it out of the channel (Photo A). Make sure the screen latch and cross braces remain in position. Discard the old screen. Wipe the frame and groove with a clean cloth to remove all dirt and debris. The retainer spline should be replaced if it has become too brittle, or in the case of metal spline, if it is bent.
3. Lay screen material on frame, align edge of screen with spline groove on two sides (Photo B). Allow screen to overlap spline groove approximately 1/8 inch. Cut starting corner at 45º angle (Photo C).
4. Using the round (convex) end of screen rolling tool, roll screening down into spline groove. Work slowly, holding material straight with your other hand. Hold roller at a 45º angle pointing toward outside of frame to avoid cutting screen
(Photo D).
5. Next use the concave end of the screen rolling tool to roll spline into groove over screen material. Be sure your roller stays in groove or damage may occur to new screen material or frame. Use other hand to hold spline in line with groove (Photo E). Do not stretch spline.
6. Cut screen on 45º angle at corner (Photo C).
7. Move around corner to next side and repeat steps 4 and 5, rolling in screen material with the round end of the roller and next using the concave roller to roll in the retaining spline (Photos D and E).
8. Trim screen in line with spline groove on other two sides allowing screening to overlap the spline groove by approximately 1/8 inch (Photo F). Cut screening at corners to 45º angle (Photo C). Repeat rolling procedures, being sure to pull tension into the screen as rolling is accomplished. Roll in retaining spline on final two sides.
Rescreening with Phiferglass® Screen in Aluminum Frames
1. Follow steps 1, 2 and 3 as shown on opposite page.
2. Using a concave screen roller, start at one corner and roll in both the screen and the spline at the same time (Photo G). Keep screen material straight with the edge of the frame while rolling in. Continue rolling procedure around all four sides. If wrinkles or bulges appear in screen, you may remove the spline and reroll. Small wrinkles should tighten up as you near the starting corner.
3. Use a utility knife to trim the excess screen cloth. Cut on top of the spline toward the outside of the frame to avoid cutting the screen material (Photo H).
Replacing Fiberglass Screen Panels in Pool and Patio Enclosures
1. Measure and cut retainer splines for the top, bottom and both sides. Spline will stretch slightly when rolled in, so cut approximately 1/2" shorter than actual measurement or trim the spline after you roll in each side.
2. Tape the new Phiferglass screening to the top of the panel using duct tape or masking tape.
3. Using the concave end of a double roller, roll the screen cloth and the spline into the top groove.
4. Roll in the bottom screening and spline in the same manner, gently pulling the cloth as you roll to create tension.
5. Roll in each side in a similar manner.
6. Trim off excess screening.
Maintenance of Window & Door Screens
Phifer aluminum or Phiferglass screening should give you many years of pleasure with a minimum of maintenance.
Screen should be vacuumed periodically to remove dust and may be washed safely with any mild soap or detergent and rinsed with clear water. Ask for it by name - Phifer Aluminum or Fiberglass Insect Screening. For windows where the sun's heat and glare is a problem, ask about Phifer Solar Screen Products
