Replacing Screening in a Wood Frame

Screen and Storm Window Repairs

Storm and screen windows made with wood frames may seem old-fashioned, but they can last many decades and seal effectively if properly maintained. To add weatherstripping that can make wood storms serious protection against cold-air infiltration.

Repair rotted wood with two-part epoxy filler. Missing or broken pieces of screen mold are easy to replace. You may not be able to find an exact match for old screen mold, but you can probably find a pretty close substitute.

Prestart Checklist

Time
1 or 2 hours to make most repairs

Tools
Hammer, tape measure, putty knife, tin snips, chisel, flat pry bar, drill, pliers, stapler

Skills
General carpentry skills

Prep
Remove and inspect storm sashes. Contact manufacturers for parts as needed.

Materials
Screening and glass as needed, exterior wood glue or polyurethane glue, dowels, finish nails

Previous | Next

Replacing screening in a wood frame: Step 1

Use a putty knife, then a flat pry bar to remove the screen molding. If you work carefully you can often do this without breaking the molding.

Previous | Next

Replacing screening in a wood frame: Step 2

Place the window on a table or a pair of sawhorses with 2x4s across them. Slip 2x2s under each end and clamp or weigh down the middle so the frame is bowed.

Previous | Next

Replacing screening in a wood frame: Step 3

Use tin snips to cut screening about 2 inches wider and longer than the frame. Place the piece on top of the frame. Working from the center toward the ends, staple the screening to the wood, pulling it taut as you go.

Previous | Next

Replace screen molding, Trim excess screen

Replacing screening in a wood frame: Step 4

Remove the clamps or weights. When the frame straightens, the screening will be pulled taut. Replace the screen molding or install new molding. Drive nails through new holes or drive larger nails through the old holes. Trim excess screen.

Previous | Next

Secure joint,Drill holes in joint, Tap in dowels

What If... You need to strengthen a wood frame?

If a wood storm or screen frame is coming apart at a corner, first repair rotted sections. Secure the joint with a long bar clamp or a pipe clamp to make sure it will go back together tightly; you may need to scrape out debris and built-up paint. Pull the joint apart slightly and squirt polyurethane glue onto both sides of the joint tongue.

Drill two 3/8-inch holes through the joint. Squirt a little glue into the holes, then tap 3/8-inch dowels into the holes. After the glue dries, trim the dowels flush to the frame with a handsaw, then sand smooth.

Comments