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How to measure · Screens
How to measure for a replacement window screen
A replacement window screen fails on two things: measuring the opening instead of the frame, and getting the frame thickness wrong. Here's the whole method.
Measure the frame, not the hole
The screen frame sits in the window's screen track. Measure the existing screen frame if you have it: width and height edge to edge, plus the frame thickness (usually 5/16, 7/16, or 3/4 in — this must match your window's track). If the old screen is gone, measure the screen track opening and note that the factory sizes the frame to fit it.
Corners and spline
Note the corner style (square vs mitred) and whether it uses a spline (the rubber cord that holds the mesh in the frame groove) — spline diameter matters for a tight, sag-free screen.
Then pick the mesh
The frame is half the job; the mesh is the other half. Standard fibreglass, pet-resistant, no-see-um (fine weave), or solar (blocks heat). Which mesh for what →
FAQ
Do I measure the screen or the window opening?
Measure the existing screen frame edge to edge if you have it, plus its thickness. If it's missing, measure the screen track opening — the maker sizes the frame to fit the track, so tell them it's the opening, not a finished frame size.
Why does frame thickness matter?
The frame has to sit in your window's screen track. A 3/4-inch frame won't fit a 5/16-inch track. Always measure and state the frame thickness.
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