Got a busted window screen or want to make your own custom screens? Don't buy a whole new one – just grab this Prime-Line aluminum frame kit. You get 20 pieces, each 72 inches long, with a profile of 5/16\ by 3/4\. It's made from .020\ thick aluminum with a mill finish – nothing fancy, but it's sturdy and does the job. The cool thing is each piece is slightly curved (cambered) on purpose, so when you stretch your screen cloth tight, the frame won't bow inward. You'll need to pair it with Prime-Line's MP7727 plastic corners (5/16\ x 3/4\ square cut) to actually build the frame. The spline channel is nice and thick – use a .185\ spline for regular fiberglass screen, .165\ for aluminum screen, or .155\ for solar or pet screen. If you're making a screen bigger than 48 inches, grab a spreader bar and clips to keep it from flexing. Honestly, building or fixing a screen is way easier than it sounds. Cut the frame pieces to size with a hacksaw, pop in the corners, lay your screen, roll in the spline, and trim. You'll save a ton compared to buying pre-made screens, and you can even make energy-efficient sun screens with solar fabric. It's a solid DIY project that makes your house look better and keeps bugs out.
