How to Measure Window and Patio Screens

For this project you’ll need safety glasses, gloves, a putty knife, and a tape measure.

Window Screen

The first thing to do is remove the window screens.  Some screens you can remove by just pulling the sides, others will have a tab to pull on.  Using a standard tape measure, measure the width of the screen first.  To do this measure the outside edge of the window screen frame.  If your screen has a lip around the edge, then measure the body of the frame, not from the edge of the lip.  Measure to the nearest 1/16 inch.  Make sure and measure at the corners as the middle may be slightly bowed.  Repeat this process for the height of the window.  If your window screen has a middle crossbar, then measure from the bottom of the screen to the center of the crossbar.  Note any pull tabs, springs, clips, or other hardware locations.  Finally, identify the type of mesh:

a.        Standard Fiberglass Mesh (the most commonly used screen mesh, a flexible material that does not crease or dent, charcoal color is the most popular as it has the best outward visibility.)

b.      PureView (made of a very thin strand of fiberglass mesh that improves daylight visibility and air flow)

c.       Aluminum (Colorado market only.  Strong and durable insect screening that resists rust and will not sag)

Send in all details to your Milgard dealer to order a new screen.

Patio Door Screen

Remove your patio door screen by turning the inside screws on the bottom of the door counterclockwise.  Lift the screen door off the track with a putty knife.  Measure the width of the screen from outside edge to outside edge.  Measure to the nearest 1/16th inch.  Make sure to measure at the corners as the middle might be slightly bowed.  Repeat this process for the height of the window.  When measuring the height, don’t include the wheel rollers in the measurement.  Note any pull tabs, springs, clips, or other hardware and also there locations.

Finally, identify the type of mesh:

a.       Standard Fiberglass Mesh (the most commonly used screen mesh, a flexible material that does not crease or dent, charcoal color is the most popular as it has the best outward visibility.)

b.      PureView (made of a very thin strand of fiberglass mesh that improves daylight visibility and air flow)

c.       Aluminum (Colorado market only.  Strong and durable insect screening that resists rust and will not sag)

Send in all details to your Milgard dealer to order a new screen.