How to fit a flyscreen?

[Orlando]

Hi folks, I was just wondering, what's the best way to start feeding flexible flyscreen into a frame? Should I start on the long side of the frame, or the short? On the corner or midway down? I remember doing it once about thirty years ago; I didn't do a bad job, but I seem to remember getting a bit of slackness in it. Like everything, there's probably a knack. Thanks

[EricL]

Hello @Orlando 

Thanks for sharing your question about your flyscreen. 

I suggest having a quick look at this guide - How to replace a flyscreen by @Tara86. It provides excellent tips on spline installation. 

When I replaced the flyscreen on my security door, I placed the flyscreen right over the frame and made sure that there was enough screen to go into the channels. I started at the top/short end and pushed the spline in. I double checked to make sure that the flyscreen was as straight as possible.

I then ran the spline down the long side without pushing it in. I just provided enough so that I can push the spline in later on. I then pulled on the flyscreen to make sure there was no slack and did the bottom part/short end next. 

Once the flyscreen was firm at the top and bottom, I gently pulled the fly screen on the long side where the spline was lined up, I pushed the spline in to lock the screen in place. The last part was the other long side where I pulled the screen gently to make sure that there was no slack in the screen.

I'm sure there are other methods out there, but that was the technique I used for my flyscreen.

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

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Evening @Orlando 

From memory when I revamped my screen door I did the long side first. I used a metal screen tho as we were at the peak of the fire season and I could imagine embers and plastic not really getting along so went the metal mesh instead.

Front entrance door renovation is my project and I was inspired by Spray painted screen door 

I had a lot of fun doing the job, using the wheeled tool to get the spline into the channel, wooooo stressy, I am glad I didnt trim at first as it was suggested as I messed up first time. Go light, not hard is my only advice. No tears, no bends and the screen is still tight from when I did it.

Dave

[Noyade]

The 'wheeled' inserters - they come in different sizes? For different sized plastic spline?

I think I went seriously wrong with a metal wheeled device years ago - and accidentally cut the plastic flyscreen, without even noticing - until the end. 

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Noyade  and @Orlando 

I dont know if the wheeled inserters come in different sizes, Ive only ever made/fixed three screens. With a Lot of years inbetween The metal screen I used the same wheeled inserter as the plastic window screen I did 9 years ago. I just presumed that was the tool and used it. Will have a wander through Bunnings next time I am in and have a squiz.

Dave