How to replace fly screen on a window with a winder?

[rushgirl42]

  hi everyone, I am having trouble replacing this flyscreen. As you can see in the picture it has a winder that was put in by pervious owner so don't know how long it has been there. Very hard to get a screwdriver in and I can't get the flycreen off the window to replace. Please help?

[EricL]

Hello @rushgirl42 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your fly screen.

Looking at the photo you posted it looks very similar to the Pillar 25mm x 2.5m White Flyscreen Frame. I suspect that your fly screen is flexible and can be twisted to come out unless of course there are screws on its frame holding it in place. It's possible that it could be just stuck in position as it has not been moved in a long while. I propose looking carefully at the frame and testing its sides to see if it will flex. If it does flex, I suggest trying to pull the top of the frame towards you. But if you happen to see plastic holders or clips holding it in position, these will need to be removed first.

In regards to the window winder itself, if the former owner used the one-way screws provided in the window winder kit it will be extremely difficult to remove the screws out using conventional methods.   

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @rushgirl42 

Insert Flyscreens like these are extremely tricky to both remove and install for the best of us. I can see you haver already remove the inside middle securing pins. The fly screen will now come out with the metal skirt plate surrounding the winder. But this is something I can't explain how to do. It's a very close process of force without damaging the frame. So check this video out. It might need more muscle than how he makes it look.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Evening @rushgirl42 

When I zoomed in on the frame of the flyscreen it looks very similar to what I would expect it to be. Good news is that it was placed inthere somehow so it must be able to be removed. Just will take a little effort maybe.

With the screen, have you tried lifting it higher into the top part of the frame? So with the window closed you stand on a seat or ladder and lift the very top bar straight up. The screen may recess into that part of the frame I am hoping and then the bottom may come out towards you. 

Id also have a look outside the window in case there are screws or little turn knobs that have been put in place before trying the lift and pop move. Id be tempted to use a flat screwdriver on the base but you may damage or mark the aluminuim of the frame and the window itself. You could use a block of wood (that is higher then the level of the screen) sitting on the window sill and use that for a large flathead screwdriver to lever against. 

Dave