How to Remove and Replace Window Screens: A Homeowner's Guide to Every Screen Type

Window Screen Removal Guide: Sliders & Flex Screens

Window screens are one of those parts of a home that no one thinks about until they need to come out. Maybe the screen is torn and needs to be replaced. Maybe the window needs to be cleaned from the outside and the screen is in the way. Maybe a bug got between the screen and the glass and needs to be removed. Whatever the reason, pulling on a screen the wrong way can bend the frame or break the springs, and then a simple five-second job becomes a trip to the hardware store. Chris Rohrbach of Brennan Enterprises walks through how to remove the three most common types of window screens, what holds each type in place, and how to put them back without damaging the frame or the spring mechanism.

Brennan Enterprises demonstrates how to remove and replace window screens on sliders, single-hung windows, and flex screens, showing the different spring mechanisms, latches, and techniques that make screen removal straightforward once you know which type you have.

The key to removing any window screen is understanding what holds it in place. Most screens are held by spring tension, either at the top or the bottom of the screen frame. The springs push the screen frame into a groove in the window frame. To remove the screen, you compress the springs to release the tension and tilt the screen out of the groove. The direction you push or pull depends on where the springs are located, which varies by window type.

Slider Window Screens: Two Springs at the Top

A two-light slider window, which is a window where one or both sashes slide horizontally, typically has a half screen that covers one side of the window opening. On the slider window Chris demonstrates, the screen has two springs at the top of the screen frame. The springs push upward into a groove in the window frame header, holding the screen in place.

To remove this type of screen, lift the screen upward from the bottom to compress the springs at the top. With the springs compressed, pull the bottom of the screen out of the frame toward you. Once the bottom is free, slide the screen down slightly and the top will release from the groove. To put the screen back, reverse the process. Slide the top edge into the groove first, compress the springs by pushing up on the bottom, and fit the bottom edge back into the frame. Make sure both sides are seated before letting go, or the screen will pop out when the window is opened. The windows pillar page covers broader window types and how they operate.

Single-Hung Window Screens: Springs at the Bottom

A single-hung window has a fixed upper sash and a lower sash that slides up and down. The screen on a single-hung window typically has the springs at the bottom of the screen frame. To remove it, first raise the lower sash partway. If the window has tilt-in sashes for cleaning, tilt the lower sash inward to give yourself room to work. Look for small notches or tabs on the bottom of the screen frame. Push down on the notches to compress the springs at the bottom, then lift the screen outward from the bottom. The top of the screen will slide out of its groove once the bottom is free.

Some single-hung windows have the springs at the top instead of the bottom. If the screen does not release when you push down, try pushing up instead. The springs are always on the side opposite the release motion. If you push down to release, the springs are at the bottom. If you push up, they are at the top. Putting the screen back is the same reverse motion: fit the top edge into its groove, slide the screen down, compress the springs using the notches, and fit the bottom edge into place.

Flex Screens: The Newer Easier Option

Flex screens are a newer type of window screen designed to be easier to remove than traditional rigid-frame screens. The screen frame itself is flexible, which means you can bend it slightly to release it from the window frame rather than having to compress springs at exactly the right angle. To remove a flex screen, open the lower sash partway so you can reach the screen. Push into the screen frame from the side to create a slight bow in the frame. The bowing motion shortens the width of the screen just enough to release it from the side grooves. Grab the released side with your other hand and pull the screen inward and out.

The advantage of flex screens is that they do not require finding and pressing the exact spring tabs. You simply bow the frame and pull. This is particularly helpful on larger windows where a rigid screen is heavy and awkward to handle, and on windows installed high on a wall where reaching spring tabs requires a ladder or step stool. The trade-off is that the flexible frame material is not as rigid as aluminum, so it can be bent out of shape if forced incorrectly.

Screen Frame Materials and When to Replace Instead of Remove

Most window screens have aluminum frames, which are lightweight, rust-proof, and hold their shape well if not bent. Older screens may have steel frames that are heavier and can rust over time, especially in humid climates or near the coast. If a screen frame is bent, rusted, or the corners are pulling apart, removing it carefully is the first step toward replacing the screen mesh or the entire screen unit. Replacement screen mesh costs 10 to 30 dollars for a standard window size and can be installed by a homeowner with a spline roller tool, which costs about 5 to 10 dollars at any hardware store.

Screen mesh comes in standard fiberglass, which is the most common and resists denting, and aluminum mesh, which is more durable but can crease permanently if pushed on. Pet-resistant screen mesh is a heavier grade of vinyl-coated polyester that resists claws and is worth the upgrade if you have a dog or cat that pushes against the screen to look out the window. Solar screen mesh is a denser weave that blocks more sunlight and reduces heat gain through the window. It also provides more privacy during the day because the denser weave is harder to see through from outside. If you are removing a screen because it is damaged and needs replacement anyway, consider whether an upgraded mesh material would serve you better than a direct replacement with standard fiberglass. Homeowners in the Arlington, Texas area can reach Brennan Enterprises at brennancorp.com or 817-860-9767.

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