Quick answer: to fit a stick-on window insect screen, measure the window opening, choose a screen that covers it, clean and dry the frame, then press the hook-and-loop strip around the frame and attach the mesh so it sits evenly over the opening. No drilling is needed. If the screen is slightly larger than the opening, trim it to fit. You can peel the screen off later to clean it or to open the window unobstructed.
What a stick-on window screen is
A stick-on window insect screen is a mesh panel that covers a window opening so you can keep the window open while helping to keep mosquitoes and flies out. It attaches to the frame with a hook-and-loop (hook-and-loop adhesive) strip, rather than being fitted into a rigid screen frame with spline. That makes it a useful option if you cannot drill the frame, or you want a screen you can take down for cleaning.
TidyMend currently sells two sizes:
- A 65 × 115 cm stick-on window insect screen (about 25.6 × 45.3 in) with a white sewn edge. It includes a self-adhesive hook-and-loop strip, can be trimmed slightly if needed, and can be removed for cleaning.
- A 50 × 50 cm hook-and-loop window screen mesh (about 19.7 × 19.7 in) in fiberglass, with hook-and-loop edging, for small windows and similar openings of that size. You can peel it off and refit it, with no drilling.
See more in Window Screens & Nets, or browse all Window & Door Screens.
What you need
- A stick-on or hook-and-loop window screen in a size that covers your opening
- A tape measure
- A cloth and a mild cleaner, to wash and dry the frame
- Scissors, if you need to trim the mesh slightly
Step-by-step
- Measure the opening. Measure the width and height of the window opening, or of the frame area the screen will sit on, in more than one place. Compare those measurements with the screen size. The 65 × 115 cm screen can be trimmed slightly if needed. The 50 × 50 cm mesh is for openings of about that size. If the opening is much larger than the screen, this size will not cover it.
- Clean and dry the frame. Wipe dust, cobwebs and grease off the frame so the hook-and-loop adhesive can stick. Let it dry completely.
- Fit the hook-and-loop strip. For the 65 × 115 cm screen, use the included self-adhesive hook-and-loop strip. Press it around the window frame so it follows the opening, and run your fingers along the whole length so it sits flat. For the 50 × 50 cm mesh, the hook-and-loop border is already on the screen; you press that border onto the clean frame.
- Trim if needed. If the 65 × 115 cm screen is slightly larger than the opening, trim it so the white sewn edge still has enough frame to sit on. Cut carefully and check the fit before you attach it for good.
- Attach the mesh. Press the screen onto the hook-and-loop so the mesh covers the opening evenly, without large wrinkles or gaps at the corners. Smooth the edges down all the way round.
- Check the fit. Look from inside and outside. The mesh should cover the opening, and the edges should be stuck down. Open the window and check that the screen stays in place.
Tips
- Fit the screen on a dry day, so the frame and the adhesive can stay dry while you work.
- If an edge lifts, press it down again. If the frame has become dusty, clean that section and refit the strip or the border.
- The 65 × 115 cm screen can be removed for cleaning. The 50 × 50 cm mesh can also be peeled off and refitted when you want.
- If the existing screen is only torn in a small area and the rest of the mesh is sound, a patch may be enough. See how to fix a hole in a window screen.
- For a doorway rather than a window, see how to install a magnetic screen door.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to drill the window frame?
No. Both of the TidyMend screens above attach with hook-and-loop, with no drilling. That is useful on rented frames, or wherever you do not want to make holes.
Can I cut the screen to fit?
The 65 × 115 cm stick-on screen can be trimmed slightly if needed. Measure first, and leave enough edge to sit on the hook-and-loop around the opening. The 50 × 50 cm mesh is made for openings of about that size.
Will it work on a bedroom, kitchen or bathroom window?
The 65 × 115 cm screen is listed for bedroom, kitchen and bathroom windows, provided the opening is a size the screen can cover. Always measure the frame before you order.
Can I take the screen down?
Yes. The 65 × 115 cm screen can be removed for cleaning. The 50 × 50 cm fiberglass mesh can be peeled off and refitted when you want.
What if my window is already screened but has a hole in it?
For a small hole or tear in sound mesh, it is usually easier to patch it than to replace the whole screen. See how to fix a hole in a window screen.
Related
How to fix a hole in a window screen · How to install a magnetic screen door · Window Screens & Nets · All TidyMend guides