So between the Monsoon last weekend and our landscaping finally being completed, it was time to clean the windows.

So I need to remove the screens to do the job correctly. Between the intense sun and extreme heat (109 Today !) the tabs have already become brittle in just over a year. I broke 3 tabs on the first four screens.

Last week I was talking with a neighbor that was having the same problem. He said he had found some metal replacement tabs. Headed down the street for a quick lesson and some tabs.

Never knew there was such a thing. Piece of cake to change. The roller tool made it easier to get the spline back in. He said he bought the package of 100 online. Should be easy enough to locate.

Learn something new every day !

Didn't know about the tabs, but have replaced the spline with the roller tool as I have to replace screens on a regular basis. The cats jumps up on them. That is how we know he wants in................

PC

 
I do not use the tabs for removing my screens, for just the reason you stated, that they become brittle and break. And I do not replace them, either, when I re-screen. I use a Red Devil Classic scraper and pry bar. The flat end slips easily between the screen and frame and pushes the screen over enough to lift it out. I use the same tool for installing the screens as well. It is an excellent all-around tool for lots of things, like prying. When sharp, it will scrape off paint like nothing else I've ever seen, since it is much stiffer than a razor blade scraper. I use the curved end (the pry bar end), with my off hand on top of it for added pressure when scraping.

When replacing screen fabric, be aware that there are multiple materials for special circumstances. After having to replace the usual aluminum mesh screening pretty much semi-annually in my patio screen door (about 4' x 7') due to an enthusiastic big dog, I discovered a polypropylene "pet screen" material that has out-lasted that dog and several others. I recall seeing also "invisible" screening and other materials that may be appropriate for other purposes.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
When replacing screen fabric, be aware that there are multiple materials for special circumstances. After having to replace the usual aluminum mesh screening pretty much semi-annually in my patio screen door (about 4' x 7') due to an enthusiastic big dog, I discovered a polypropylene "pet screen" material that has out-lasted that dog and several others. I recall seeing also "invisible" screening and other materials that may be appropriate for other purposes.

And take your screen, or piece of screen frame material if you are making your own screens, to the hardware store. The groove where the spline goes may need different size spline, depending on the screen material you choose.
 
In addition to "pet screen", here in AZ (and probably most places) they sell a shade screen material that helps block out sunlight.