Quick answer: for a small hole or tear in a window screen (often called a fly screen or insect screen in the UK), clean the mesh around the damage, cut a piece of self-adhesive screen repair tape or a patch so it overlaps the hole on every side, peel off the backing and press it firmly onto the mesh. For a screen with a lot of damage, or a mesh that is brittle all over, it is usually easier to fit a new screen.
What you need
- Self-adhesive screen repair tape or ready-cut patches in a colour close to your mesh (black, grey or white)
- Sharp scissors
- A soft brush or a damp cloth, and a dry cloth
- Optional: a ruler or tape measure to size the patch
Self-adhesive screen repair tape and ready-cut patches usually come in colours close to typical mesh (black, grey or white). TidyMend’s self-adhesive window screen repair tape is a 5 cm × 2 m roll in black, grey or white, and you can cut the roll into more than one patch. Browse all Window & Door Screens at TidyMend.
Step-by-step: how to patch a window screen
- Look at the damage. Check the size of the hole or tear and whether the mesh around it is still in good condition. Small holes, slits and pet scratches are ideal for a patch. If the mesh tears easily when you press it, or there are many holes, see “When to replace the screen” below.
- Clean the area. Brush off dust and cobwebs, wipe the mesh with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Adhesive patches stick best to clean, dry mesh.
- Flatten the mesh. Gently push any loose or bent strands back into line with your fingers so the hole is as flat and small as possible. Snip off any strands that stick out.
- Cut the patch. Cut a piece of repair tape, or choose a ready-cut patch, that is larger than the hole on every side, so the adhesive has plenty of good mesh to grip. Rounding the corners with scissors helps stop the edges lifting.
- Apply the patch. Peel off the backing, centre the patch over the hole and press it on. Start in the middle and smooth outwards to the edges. If you can reach both sides of the screen, support the mesh from behind with your other hand while you press.
- Press the edges. Run your fingers around the edge of the patch a few times so it is firmly stuck down all the way round.
- Check from both sides. Look at the repair from inside and outside. If light shows through at an edge, press it again, or add a second, slightly larger patch.
Tips for a neater repair
- Match the colour of the patch to your mesh. Black or grey is usually less noticeable on dark mesh; white suits white or light mesh.
- For a long slit, use a strip of repair tape along the full length rather than several small patches.
- Patch on the side of the screen that you see least, if you can reach it, so the repair is less visible from the room.
- Keep the offcuts. A roll or kit usually covers several repairs, which is useful if a pet or a stray ball makes a new hole later.
- Do the repair on a dry day, as damp mesh is harder to patch.
Fixing holes in screen doors and mosquito nets
The same method works on screen doors, mosquito nets and similar mesh. On a door that gets a lot of use, check the patch now and then and press down any edge that starts to lift. On a hanging net, lay the damaged area over a flat, firm surface, such as a book, before you press the patch on.
When to replace the screen instead
A patch is a good fix for small, local damage. If the mesh is torn in many places, has come away from the frame, or has become brittle all over, a replacement is often the better option. For windows, you can fit a stick-on window insect screen or a hook-and-loop window screen mesh that attaches to the frame with no drilling. For a step-by-step walk-through, see how to fit a stick-on window insect screen. For doorways, see how to install a magnetic screen door. Always measure the frame first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fix a window screen without removing it?
Yes. Self-adhesive patches and tape can be applied with the screen in place, as long as you can reach the hole and the mesh is clean and dry. Removing the screen can make it easier to support the mesh from behind.
How big should the patch be?
Larger than the hole on every side, so the adhesive sticks to undamaged mesh all the way around. For long slits, use a strip of tape that runs past both ends of the tear.
Will the patch be visible?
Any patch will show a little, but choosing a colour close to your mesh and cutting neat, rounded edges makes it much less noticeable.
Can I use ordinary tape?
Ordinary clear or masking tape blocks the mesh and tends to peel off. Screen repair tape and patches are made of mesh themselves, so air and light still pass through the repaired area.
What is the difference between a window screen and a fly screen?
They are the same thing. “Window screen” is more common in the US, while “fly screen” or “insect screen” is more common in the UK.
Related
Browse all Window & Door Screens, or see window screens and nets for a replacement screen. For screen tools, see Screen Tools & Accessories, such as the double-ended screen spline roller for pressing spline and new mesh into a frame when you re-screen it, or browse all TidyMend guides.