Replace standard window screen with Pet Mesh fly screen with Inspire DIY Kent Thomas

Have your Pets or Kids damaged the window screen and it’s time for replacement? In this video I’ll show you how you can repair this fly screen, save yourself some money by taking a little time and repairing it yourself.
I decided to replace the standard insect screen mesh with a more durable product called ‘Pet Mesh’, fingers crossed this means it won’t need replacing again anytime soon.
I hope this video helps you out with your project.
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/ @inspirediy
Need help getting the screen out of the window frame? check this out..
• Video
The stuff I used for this video:
Cyclone 1220mm x 2.05m Pet Mesh Insect Screen from Bunnings Australia
www.bunnings.c... , the standard gauge insect mesh cost half the price for the same size / brand.
If you would prefer to look at this stuff online for inspiration, check out these links.
When clicked these links will take you directly to Amazon or an eBay site, InspireDIY is an Amazon associate/eBay Affiliate. Using these links does not impact the price in anyway for you, but InspireDIY may be able to earn from recommendations.
Pet Proof Window Screen Replacement:
US; amzn.to/3rlEGYg or ebay.us/ZVVhmf
UK; amzn.to/2UrNGin
Aust; amzn.to/3kwXTVt or ebay.us/7cwidi
Spline roller:
US; amzn.to/3wJhaoY or ebay.us/M7PNXo
UK; amzn.to/3is822K
Aust; amzn.to/3xL5HGK or ebay.us/kRid4w
You'll need a sharp knife because cutting through this stuff is tricky, it really is tough! amzn.to/3sui34k
Stanley 8mtr Tylon Tape Measure amzn.to/3mkF9t7
The boring stuff, these videos are intended to provide information and inspiration only. If you choose to imitate, duplicate or copy anything you may have observed in these videos, you do so at your own risk. Kent Thomas & Inspire DIY do not take any responsibility for any action taken as a result of the information or advice on this KZbin channel (or other platforms) and shall not have any liability in respect of any injury or damage that may result.
Kent Thomas/Inspire DIY disclaims any control over, relationship with, or endorsement of views expressed by any third party, including but not limited to, sponsored partners, featured guests in any episodes, or other KZbin (or other social platform) users. Any unsponsored links to other websites are provided only as a convenience, and not an endorsement of those pages by Kent Thomas/Inspire DIY. Kent Thomas/Inspire DIY encourages you to read the privacy statements of any third-party websites.
Kent Thomas/Inspire DIY does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information available on this KZbin page or any other social media platforms. Nothing contained in or provided though this KZbin page, website or social media platforms is intended to constitute advice or to serve as a substitute for the advice of a building or construction professional, or local government, council laws and building codes. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.

[@terrybaskin12345]

Just installed this using your instructions and it was a breeze! One thing I learnt is you should install it the direction that favours your dominant hand. If you're right handed like me, this means starting at say the bottom left corner and working clockwise so the frame is always on your right. The first frame I did I was working anti-clockwise which meant I had to awkwardly reach over my body with my right hand to reach the frame on my left. For context, I was working on a sliding security door up on saw horses. Great video, thanks so much!

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Terry, that’s a great suggestion- we’ll done! 🤙Kent

[@TuronProspekta]

This was key for me. Im right handed however I started on the bottom right. Using my left hand to slightly stretch the rubber seal while I rolled it into the groove with the roller in my right hand working clockwise.

[@InspireDIY]

Good stuff Turon Gold 👌 Kent

[@aew6645]

We used this pet mesh on the lower half of a screen door because our 3 & 4 yr old grandsons used to run into the screens. That was more than 5yrs ago now and still going strong! Best choice for screening!

[@InspireDIY]

I agree Anne, when I first ever saw it I thought is was ‘security screen’ it’s durable stuff💪💪. Ps. Anyone reading this… it’s good for pets - but not burglars. Kent

[@karenanne7254]

You're a bloody legend mate. My sister and I got half way through one window in an hour swearing and throwing shit before giving up and going to watch TV. After watching your video we were able to not only finish the one we started but replace another 8 large windows with pet mesh within a couple of hours. Lifesaver. Next week we try to the fly screen doors!

[@InspireDIY]

Well done Karen, and thanks for letting me know how you got on👍 when it comes time to do the screen doors, this video may help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZPagJ2rgtuhfJo Good stuff, Kent

[@karenanne7254]

@@InspireDIY oh that's fab, thanks for that!!

[@abhbhu1]

Hi, my cat had ripped apart the mesh. So followed your instructions to replace it. Couple of things to mention: i realised that cheapest 2.99 roller isn't the best thing to use as it kept coming apart. Buy a better quality one for 6 or 7 dollars. Secondly I couldn't find a narrower spline at Bunnings. Even the thinnest 4.5mm was so hard to use as the mesh itself is quiet thick, so luckily I was still able to use old spline which was much easier to use. End result was great as they say it's all well that ends well. Cat is still trying it's hardest to rip it but no luck till now 😀. Thanks for your vid 👍

[@InspireDIY]

Hey that’s awesome Abhi, thanks for letting us know👍 good stuff. Kent

[@azadmuzaffar]

I’ve one window upstairs where Racoons have ripped the fibreglass screen. I’ve just bought Pet Screen from HD and am going to install it today. My only concern it whether or not the spline roller which I used for fibreglass screen can still work for Pet screen. Reason is that Pet screen is much tougher to work with as compared with fibreglass. Anyway watching your video is of great help.

[@jrodriguez9602]

I think you're supposed to push the mesh in the groove with the roller before pushing in the spline. I think this makes pushing the spline in easier if the mesh is kind of in place already. I hope that made sense, great video regardless, thanks.

[@InspireDIY]

Yeah that's a good suggestion J! Thanks👍 Kent

[@coropinion]

Pushing the screen in first helped tremendously!

[@pollyanna1112]

Makes great sense

[@mikesimone1]

Thanks for the tip on the spline. I just replaced 5 screens with the pet screen. It's hard pushing that spline into the groove--even when stretching. What I did--trial and error--that seemed to work a bit better was to cut the spline for each side. Did one side, then the opposite with a little tension and then the other 2 sides. For the last 2 screens I used the non grooved tool side to push the screen into the channel. It made it a lot easier to put the spline in after doing that. When I got to the corners I lifted the spline on the adjacent side a few inches and was able to smooth everything out. Hope that helps everyone and thank you for the video.

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Mike, that’s very ingenious of you! And thanks a heap for sharing your tips this will help someone out for sure. Well done 👍Kent

[@nicola3731]

Thank you for that. Single mum here tackling all the household jobs. Bare feet and a knife….OMG 😮 extreme DIY

[@InspireDIY]

Still counting 10 toes Nicola …it was a lucky day😂 best of luck with your screens. Kent

[@KieranGhost92]

I made it through one door, then I saw your video and learned the spline stretching tip- made life a whole lot easier. I cut my pet mesh between two old of timber with the Stanley knife to keep it straight and made it easier to cut through

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Kieran, that's a great tip using timber as a cutting guide - well done👌 thanks for commenting 👍 Kent

[@Andre_Gentil]

My dogs and cat, even birds loved to damage the screen, I would replace it but within a couple of days the holes where back, I then put a thin plastic see through panel in front of the screen, but they would find a way around it then tear a hole in the side of screen again! So I installed the fiberglass pet screen and low and behold no more holes, I did not believe that it would work but it does, so I am now doing my whole house with this Fiberglas screen you can get from Bunnings.

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Andre, that’s awesome mate! What did you do with the spline? Reuse it or replace it? Kent

[@MiauMichigan]

Thank you for the info. My cat is constantly making holes in our mesh so I'll get the one you mentioned 😊

[@bc5001]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is exactly what I was looking for. Love your accent and use of words. Cheers from Canada. The price difference is quite a bit however. Sliding patio door replacement screen HomeDepot Pet Screen $70.....Fiberglass $25.....Aluminum $34

[@InspireDIY]

Yeah Wow! the price really jumps up there hey. Thanks for the lovely comment and all the best to you. Cheers, Kent

[@spr481]

Thank you. It was really helpful, and also very pleasant, since you are nice and calm. 🙂

[@InspireDIY]

That’s a lovely thing to say spr, thank you🤙Kent

[@rabidsminions2079]

I bought Synco Pet mesh. It is quite thick and heavy compared to regular flyscreen. I bought a metal roller as the cheap one like you are using fell apart. Also I pushed the screen into the Grove with the metal tool which helped.

[@InspireDIY]

That’s a great tip mate - well done 👌 Kent

[@VeganChickInOz]

Just coming to youtube to get some flyscreen guidance. OMG i love your videos. Thank you, off to bunnings for me! And getting the $10 spline roller ! Thanks

[@InspireDIY]

Cheers VeganChick, that’s very kind of you to say🙂 best of luck with the re-screening. Kent

[@blueguy12345]

As an 80's kid can't help having Crcodile Dundee flashbacks when i ear an Aussi say Knife

[@InspireDIY]

Haha Gold😂

[@joycehardy9422]

This was just perfect as I’m replacing a screen with a pet screen. I think I’ll buy a better spline tool and one size down spline. Thanks so much!

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Joyce, that’s awesome- let us know how you get on 👍Kent

[@joycehardy9422]

@@InspireDIY Actually I went to Home Depot and Lowe’s. Neither one had the size of the pet screen and didn’t have one single tool. I’ll try Ace hardware tomorrow, but Amazon has everything. I wanted to fix the screen ASAP because my 1 year old cat clawed the screen and got out. We didn’t know it til she came home at 5am screaming 🙀 to get in! She’s such a rebel. Her brother and sister stayed home. Yeah a Covid decision to adopt 3 kittens! 🤪 I only had dogs! Got to screen her in!!! You know for sure I’ll get this done…no matter what!

[@meherenow]

Could soaking the spline in hot water help? I don’t have heaps of strength so looking for ways to make this easier

[@aliengranpa]

The pet screen is the only screen i recommend to clients. I have it on every screen on my own house and haven't had to replace it yet.

[@InspireDIY]

Well done Alien, doing it once - doing it right 👌 good on you, Kent

[@hamothemagnif8529]

Your tip about stretching the spline did the trick. There was no way that spline was going in otherwise.

[@InspireDIY]

Well done Hamo🤙 Kent

[@rndyh77]

That's a great idea about the heat. I may try this in my dining room which faces east. I like looking out, but it would be nice to reduce even a slight amount of morning heat.

[@InspireDIY]

Thanks for the comment Functionform, yeah It does seem make a difference... And my other east facing screens will get it done too (they're on the 'to-do' list!) Cheers, Kent

[@marcnangelu]

I might try something like this

[@InspireDIY]

Sweet Marcus, let me know how you get on👍, the screens I re-did at home here with petmesh have handled the cat and the cavoodle just fine! 👌cheers, Kent

[@sandoz0]

I am installing the pet mesh now, but the previous spline is way too hard to fit in the same place.

[@InspireDIY]

Yeah, the pet mesh is definitely a thicker material! If stretching the spline before rolling it in doesn't work, you may need to buy a thinner diameter spline. Good luck 👍 Kent

[@melindagibson6358]

Thank you. I’m using Cyclone Pet Mesh on my sliding screen doors. And I’m having a bugger of a time cutting it. I’ve had to resort to scissors. My Stanley knife is sharp but I just don’t seem to have the strength. And I’m also trying not to cut the metal - I had my doors spray painted white and I scratched my first door when starting this project :-(

[@InspireDIY]

Argh that's no good.. yes it's definitely tougher than normal mesh. Let me know what trick you come up with👍 thanks, Kent

[@aliciatribs]

What screen product did you use?

[@cravinemorehead1197]

Anyone worried he was going to cut his foot

[@InspireDIY]

Oh I know Cravine, I have the worst habit of not wearing safe shoes.. one day I'll learn a lesson! Kent

[@pollyanna1112]

It was the first thing I thought - eeshk... Shoes on when you're using a Stanley knife ... Mainly because I know that if it was me, doing this, I'd surely slip somehow and the knife would end up in my foot. Being left-handed as I am, I tend to do things in what everyone thinks is an awkward way, so I'd have to make sure I wasn't barefooted on this angle. Even when I am cutting tomatoes or peeling veggies and everyone expects blood coz I look awkward to them.

[@montanawhite5699]

I wonder if this would work for me. My dog just jumps out the screen ripping it out the edges

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Montana, yes! This sounds like the perfect scenario for a heavier duty screen material 👍 let me know how you get on with your project, best of luck. Kent 👍

[@llcoolpwilly]

Where do you get the frames from? Have these in all windows besides 2

[@InspireDIY]

Hey llcoolpwilly, for ‘bout $50 each you can get the materials needed from a local hardware or aluminium store and make them, or $100-$120 for custom made sizes from a fabricator, or if your lucky the recycled building products places may have your size and colour🤷 jump on Google and have a search. Best of luck, Kent

[@alexandriamorton5591]

Also what size spine is the thiner one you mentioned?

[@InspireDIY]

Hey again... Check this video out when looking at spline sizes, kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2OsepiGmNitjKc I think if using 'pet screen' a 5.5mm spline in a regular old aluminium screen is ideal 👌

[@rontisdale817]

I am struggling with the idea that stretching is a good move. Is your spline staying in place or is it contracting leaving a gap at the ends? I too am having a hard time with this thicker product.

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Ron, because it can’t expand again in the channel when holding the thicker mesh in there it’s not retracting either👍. Best of luck mate. Kent

[@calamityjane643]

Yep 😂

[@willrobinson4089]

02:34 is how a Kiwi says diameter.

[@InspireDIY]

Haha Will.. you picked it - well done mate (or bro)! 👌Kent

[@willrobinson4089]

@@InspireDIY No worries mate! 😁

[@pgale]

You need a good quality roller , also run the roller down the groove first before you put spline in.

[@InspireDIY]

Haha Pgale you are absolutely right, I've got it on the Christmas wish list😉. Good tip about rolling the groove first👌 and thanks for the feedback mate. Kent

[@stevegarcia42]

Great video!!!

[@InspireDIY]

Thanks Steve, Is this a job on your radar?

[@stevegarcia42]

@@InspireDIY Yes I have a 50lb dog & once i replace it I will see how it takes the beasts claws since he jumps on the door when he wants to come inside

[@InspireDIY]

Haha good luck 🤞it's been so far so good with our 6kg (13lb) puppy. Thanks for the comment too, appreciate it. 👍Kent

[@halez1407]

I currently have 2 blisters and no screen in my screen door because of this pet mesh and the exact same cheap spline roller 😂. I will try some of your tips and others mentioned here. I actually bought new spline already and am thinking I should exchange it for thinner?

[@InspireDIY]

Oh dear Halez.. I wonder how many of us this happens to? Yes, go thinner! And best of luck mate👍 Kent

[@stephanl9216]

Lol I just did mine this evening. Worst project i have ever done and was so frustrating. I think I cursed the whole time doing it. I used a prybar for baseboards to push the damn spline in because the tool they gave was useless. The roll of mesh i bought at lowes gave a new spline, exacto knife and spline tool. Eventually I had to use a hammer to get it to fit snug.

[@InspireDIY]

@@stephanl9216 Hey mate, yes..everything can be fixed with a hammer🔨👍 Kent

[@alexandriamorton5591]

So how do you think this pet friendly product is going to hold up? I have seen it at bunnings but wasn't sure of it

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Alexandria, So far so good at my place, it's handled the cat well, this screen is too high for the dog to get to so that's an unknown🤷‍♂️ appears strong. I'd love to hear feedback from a dog owner how it's fared.

[@drumtwo4seven]

Where is the location ? Looks like southern California possibly in the hills of Laguna or Los Angeles County... Interesting video. Nice job 👍

[@drumtwo4seven]

I see in the description Australia 🦘🌏

[@InspireDIY]

Hey, thanks mate.. Yeah I’m on the east coast of Australia. Beautiful place to be🤙thanks

[@DESTROIM-_-.]

ok my sister cat may have jst ripped the fly screen from my window like the build fell but bc our build is so old i have no clue how to fix it and its like the middle of the night nd my parents have no clue and i am not waking them up-

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Destroim, It looks like you and your sister have a little job to do, Best of luck mate, Kent

[@DESTROIM-_-.]

@@InspireDIY yes we have already got it fixed and all we needed was new clips

[@rhondamcknight2596]

Pet mesh screen

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Rhonda, 1 year on and it still looks great 👍. Cheers, Kent

[@kwillow12]

My Cat rips the screen out of the frame.

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Kathy, with pet mesh or regular fly screen ?? Maybe you could re-install with a thicker spline (the rubber stuff) and that tends to lock the screen in a bit tighter👌 best of luck. Kent

[@rafac13]

I always struggle to understand when you talk about "inches"

[@InspireDIY]

Oh sorry Rafael, there are imperial viewers struggling with metric too😬, it would be great if we were all on the same page. Thanks for the feedback 👍 Kent

[@superspecialty5169]

I’m not interested in you, just the product!

[@InspireDIY]

Hey Super, that’s a very strange comment. Hope you found it helpful 👍 Kent

[@superspecialty5169]

@@InspireDIY like wise