Screen spline is a thin rubber or vinyl cord use to hold window mesh in place within a frame groove. Using the wrong diameters spline will cause the screen mesh to sag or the frame corners to pop loose. The correct spline diameter must be selected for two reasons: the spline must compress to grip the mesh, yet the spline must not compress enough that the frame crack.
The spline’s diameter must match the width of the groove within the window frame. Many peoples choose a screen spline for the window mesh at random hardware stores. However, the random screen spline that you purchase will not have the correct mesh tension for the frame.
How to Pick the Right Screen Spline
To find the correct spline diameter, use digital calipers to measure the width of the groove in the frame. Use a spline whose diameter is between 10 and 15% larger then the groove’s width to provide the tension to hold the mesh in place for extended period. The thickness of the mesh material will also affect the screen spline diameter require for installation.
Standard fiberglass mesh is thin and use screen splines of the standard, mid-range screen spline diameters. However, if the mesh being use on the window frame is pet screen or solar screen, then the mesh is thicker. This thicker mesh add bulk to the window frame.
For this reason, you should select screen splines of one size smaller than the standard spline size for fiberglass mesh. Finally, if the mesh being use on the window frame is stainless steel mesh, it will require a slightly larger screen spline diameter. Finally, different brand of window frames have different groove widths.
Some windows has particularly narrow grooves for specific reasons. These frames require specific screen spline diameters to properly allow the mesh to be install without any gaps. If you know the brand of the window frame, you can often find a chart that lists the correct spline size for each brand of window frame.
If you do not know the brand of the window frame, you will have to measure the width of the groove in the frame to determine the correct size for the screen spline. The goal is for the screen spline to rest fully beneath the frame without any gaps or force the spline into the frame groove. To determine how many lengths of screen spline to purchase, use the perimeter formula for the screen window.
However, add 20% to the total perimeter of the screen. This 20% extra will account for any cutting mistake along the screens corners. By adding 20% to the total perimeter of the screen, you will not run out of screen spline in the middle of install the screens.
Also, by adding 20% to the perimeter of the screen, you will not have to splice two lengths of screen spline together. A single length of screen spline hold better than two lengths of screen spline that are spliced together. To install screen spline, a person will need certain tools.
A single-wheel roller will allow a beginner to properly install the screen spline into the screen frame. A double-end roller will include a convex tool that will help force the screen mesh into the corners of the frame. Professionals install many screen windows in a single afternoon, so there tools will be professional rollers with replaceable heads.
To install the screen spline, first remove the old screen spline from the window frame. Then, cut the window mesh so that it has a few inch of overhang. Place the screen spline into the frame groove and pull on the mesh to maintain tension on the screen spline as you work to seat the spline into the frame groove.
Trim the overhang of the mesh. If the mesh feel drum-tight and remains tight throughout the different seasons, then the screen spline and mesh material are of the correct diameter and thickness for the frame.
