If you’ve ever had a teenager (or been one) locked out of the house, then you’ve experienced screen removal not done properly. This often results in bent screen frames, torn screens, and damage that simply can’t be repaired. But there are plenty of reasons you might want to remove a window screen. You might be:
- Cleaning the outside of the window.
- Replacing a damaged or torn screen.
- Cleaning the screen itself.
- Sneaking back in the window after—wait, just kidding. Never mind.
There could be other reasons you are removing your window screen and the key is you want to do so without damaging the window frame, a costly mistake. You also don’t want to get hurt or cause damage to any other item. So here are the various ways to remove a window screen.
Table of Contents
- How to Remove a Window Screen in a Hung Window
- How to Remove a Window Screen in a Slider Window
- How to Remove a Window Screen in a Casement Window
- How to Remove a Full Height Window Screen
- Safety and Screen Removal
How to Remove a Window Screen
Most window screens are meant to be somewhat flexible. That is because they are designed to be removed pretty easily. Not all window screens operate the same way but the steps below should guide you to successfully remove any window screen.
To remove the window screen while standing inside the residence:
- Open the window all the way.
- Grab the tabs on the screen and pull them both toward you and toward the center of the screen. Some screens have pins or latches—make sure to disengage them before attempting to remove the screen.
- Tilt or pivot the screen so it is easier to remove from the frame.
- Once the screen is free of the frame, carefully set it aside, especially if you are not replacing the screen with a new one.
To remove the window screen while standing outside the residence:
If you need to remove the window screen from outside your home, you may need a couple of tools: a flexible putty knife and a flat head screwdriver or a paint can opener.
- Remove the frame from the lower left corner.
- With your hands, gently push the window screen frame away from the corner. If the frame isn’t exposed, moving it should expose more of it so you can use your tools to remove the screen.
- Slide the putty knife under the lower corner.
- Slide the screwdriver or paint can opener onto the vertical side of the corner and lightly pull the window screen out from the corner.
- Holding the corner, gently push the screen up while pulling the rest of the screen out from the bottom.
- Once the bottom of the frame is almost all the way out, use the screwdriver or paint can opener to pull the right frame corner out from the pocket.
- After the bottom of the frame is out, you should be able to fully pull the frame down and away from the window.
Safety Tips:
- Clear space to work. Use a stepladder if the window is out of reach.
- Plant your feet firmly and make sure you have your balance.
How to Remove a Window Screen in a Hung Window
To remove the screen in a hung window, it is important to know that there is often a spring in the upper screen track that helps keep the screen in place. Push the top part of the screen up, pressing on the spring. At the same time, pull on either the tab or pins at the bottom of the screen, and push outward. The screen should come free of the frame, and then you can carefully twist and remove it.
If there are no tabs or pins, you will have to pry at the bottom of the screen using a large putty knife, being careful not to bend the screen frame.
How to Remove a Window Screen in a Slider Window
The process for removing a window screen in a slider window is nearly identical to the others:
- Open the window fully.
- Find the screen tabs, and push them inward while pulling them toward you.
- Pop the screen free, and pivot to remove.
How to Remove a Window Screen in a Casement Window
On a casement window the process is generally the same: find the tabs or latches and disengage them to remove the screen. Casement windows have the screen on the interior of the window, so there is no need to open the sash.
- Notice two latches on the screen frame, one on each side.
- Open the latches to disengage the screen from the frame.
- Carefully remove the screen and set it aside.
How to Remove a Full Height Window Screen
Removing a full-height window screen follows the same procedure. However, you will need to pull on both sides simultaneously to free the screen. Depending on how large the window screen is, this can turn into a two-person job.
Safety and Screen Removal
- Don’t hurt yourself
- Don’t damage the screen or screen frame
- Don’t damage the window frame itself
Keep yourself safe by keeping feet firmly planted and being balanced. Don’t lean on the screen, as you could fall. Check the area below before dropping the screen. Use a wide blade for prying to prevent bending or buckling the screen frame. Too much prying can cause costly damage. Proper removal preserves your screens and keeps your home safe.
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