How to Make a Screen for a Window

Love them or hate them, window screens play a significant role, and their durability can be quite beneficial. When you want to make a screen for a window, it is crucial to follow the right procedure to ensure everything is done right and enhance its performance.

There are various steps that you need to take when making a screen for a window, and that’s what we are going to talk about in this post. Check out these steps below.

How to Make a Screen for a Window

  1. Measure the Opening of Your Window

    The first step you need to take is to measure the window’s opening that you want to screen. You need to measure the width and height of the open window frame. Most frames made of vinyl and aluminum have a channel specifically made to fit the screen.

Therefore, ensure that you measure inside the channel to be precise.

Once you have the exact measurement, you need to subtract a quarter-inch and an additional 1.5 inches for the corner connections, from every dimension to determine the width and height of the new frame. Unfortunately, it may not be easy to do this for older windows that have wooden frames. But, you can use the original screen to get the dimensions for the new one.

  1. Use Stock Frame Pieces Made of Aluminum

    You can find window screen kits made of precut aluminum pieces at your local hardware store. You can find most of the individual 72-inch pieces and 94-inch pieces. Most standard frames made of aluminum have a width of 0.6 cm and a thickness of 2 cm. These are ideal measurements since they can work on most windows.

However, for the sake of your frame’s dimension, you should focus on buying enough aluminum. Ensure you also check the spline groove on the frame, since the width is usually marked on the packaging. The spline is supposed to match the spline groove’s width.

  1. Use a Hacksaw with Precise Teeth per Inch

    The third step involves measuring the width of the aluminum pieces. If they have a thickness of about 0.32 cm to 1.27 cm, the teeth per inch of your hacksaw should be between 14 and 18. However, if they have a thickness of 0.24 cm to 0.79 cm, the teeth per inch of your hacksaw should be 24.

But, if you happen to have aluminum pieces of frame that are less than 0.32 cm, the teeth per inch need to be 31. Ensure you use hacksaws purchased from reliable sellers.

Once you have done the above, you can remove rough edges with a metal file and connect the lower window corners with the upper and 4 corner inserts to make a screen for a window.

Bottom Line

We can all agree that a window screen is quite important and essential for your window. It will basically allow for your room to have great air circulation, whereas at the same time denying insects entry into your house. You therefore need to ensure that you can make a screen for your window appropriately as highlighted above.

Casing a window? No problem we have you covered

Your regular drywall window might be looking too dull, and you are probably asking yourself how to remedy the situation. Well, what you need is a casing that dresses up your window nicely. The good news is that installing a window casing is not hard, and you can do it by yourself. Below is a step by step instructional on how to case a window.

how to case a window


  • Painter’s putty
  • Hammer, nails
  • Sandpaper
  • Utility knife
  • Pry bar
  • Caulk
  • Caulking gun
  • Pry bar
  • Measuring tape
  • Window casing pieces
  • Window stool

Step 1: Take measurements

Start by measuring your new wood casing width. Move on to measure the width of the existing window stool. As a rule of thumb, if the current stool doesn’t give you an extension of ½-inches on either side of the new casing, then you have to remove it.

Step 2: Remove the existing stool and apron

Take your utility knife and cut through the caulking. You can then use your hammer and pry bar to remove the apron and stool. Doing this allows you to design a new window stool that suits whatever design you want.

Step 3: Cut the new stool

Cut your new stool while ensuring that it meets the criteria highlighted in step 1. The aim is to have an extension of ½-inches past the casing width. Since you have all the measurements taken, this step should be rather easy.

Step 4: Install the new window stool

Start by centering the new window stool along the opening. Mark all the edges of your drywall return to help you with measurements. Now, measure the length from the window to the wall before transferring these measurements to your stool’s inner side. Ensure that all the notches are cut diligently and fir perfectly.

Complete the step by sliding the news stool onto your window. Use the hammer and nails to fix it in position.

Step 5: Install the top piece

Mark 1/8-inches past the casing width on each side. You then need to use the measurement to help you cut the top piece of the casing. Note that the edges need to be cut at 45-degree angles. When nailing the top part in place, ensure that you align it at 1/8-inches above your opening.

Step 6: Install the side pieces

Measure the length from the top casing to the stool. Use these results to determine the length of both the side casings. Understand that one side of the side pieces has to be cut square while the other at a 45-degree angle.

Proceed to attach the side casings while leaving a 1/8-inch reveal between the drywall and inside edges. Use your nails and hammer during this step.

Step 6: Install the apron

Measure the length of your top casing and use it to cut your apron at 22-degree angles. The apron has to be centered below the stool and attached to the wall using a hammer and nails. Remember that the long edge of the apron needs to be facing upwards.

Step 7: Finishing touches

You will notice a few gaps left once the installation is finished. Use the painter’s putty to fill all the gaps carefully. The caulking gun should help you fix all gaps between the wall and molding. Don’t also forget to fill any gaps along the corners. Finally, sand down, prime, and paint the new casing.


Casing a window is a pretty straightforward procedure when you follow the above instructional. Be careful with the measurements since they determine how the new casing shapes up.

How to Remove Window Film

Window films offer excellent sunblock and enhance the aesthetics of most buildings. However, they do have a lifespan or can get scratched and affected by some conditions. Such occurrences may render window tints either old or damaged enough to the state of needing complete replacements.

There are plenty of reasons to remove window film, but the following are the common ones:

• Discoloration – When your window’s tint undergoes discoloration, it can no longer block UV rays, making replacement a valid enough consideration. You need to have the right protection against harmful UV rays and you need to ensure that your window film is in great shape for this.

• Bubbling – This ruins the entire look of the film and makes your window look pretty horrible. When the film’s adhesive fails, bubbling occurs, and replacing it is the only solution. You also want your window to have a great look and it looks awful when the window film is bubbling.

• Décor – Old or discolored films ruin the entire aesthetics of the house. Hence, removing them remains the only option to enhance your décor. Nobody wants their home or office to look like it has been rundown, especially after eventual wear and tear. This is what necessitates the removal of an old window film.

But how do you remove window film? By following the instructions, you’ll be able to achieve this without leaving any spot on your window successfully.

How to Remove Window Film

  1. Dissolve the Film

    Although this may take you several hours to accomplish, dissolving the tint film adhesive ensures you first loosen it. You can do this using a spray bottle filled with either vinegar or sudsy ammonia.

In some instances, you’d even be required to leave the adhesive to soak for the entire night. If you use ammonia, be sure to keep the fumes from spreading further from the area of work.

  1. Detach the Adhesive

    If perhaps your car may get adversely affected by using ammonia, you can loosen the film using a hairdryer. It will get easily dissolved with higher temperatures, which simplifies the removal process.

But if you sprayed soapy ammonia or vinegar, wait for a bit of sunrise during the day before moving on to this next step.

  1. Remove the Window Film

    This is the most crucial part of removing window film and requires you to have a razor or scrapper. Depending on how much film adhesive you’ve been able to dissolve, it will either come off in full or pieces.

Place the razor at an angle against the window tint and start peeling it off. While doing this, you’ll still need to continue spraying or blow-drying the adhesive to ease the removal process. It might get stubborn, but you have to work it accordingly.

Remember, the more moisture present; the more effective removing the window film will be.

  1. Clean Your Window

    Once you are through scrapping off the film, it’s evident that not everything went off willingly. So, for finishing, ensure that you thoroughly clean your window and remove any left small pieces of the film.

How to Install a Window Air Conditioner in a Sliding Window

Window air conditioners come in handy when you require that cool breeze for a specified amount of time. Moreover, they are more energy-efficient compared to the central air conditioners. One important thing to note is that a window air conditioner isn’t meant to be permanent.

Instead, a window air conditioner is applicable when you need to beat that summer heat or fluctuating temperature. Unlike central air conditioners, a window air conditioner is budget-friendly, making it the most preferred option.

But how do you install a window air conditioner in a sliding window? Here, you’ll get all the necessary information to help you through the entire process.

How to Install a Window Air Conditioner in a Sliding Window


  1. Take Measurements

    Measure the width and height of the air conditioner, and include any vents that might be sticking out. Afterward, take the height measurements of your window’s opening and correlate both measurements.

    This enables you to understand just what measurements are needed to fit the air conditioner.

  2. Create a Frame

    After taking the measurements, ensure that the window windowsill isn’t rotten and doesn’t have any other damages. If it’s in good health, the next step is building the frame to hold the air conditioner in place.

Do this using the measurements you took of both the window and the air conditioner as well. You can use lumber to create the frame and first ascertain that it fits rightly through the window’s opening.

  1. Fit the Air Conditioner in the Frame

    Once you’ve ascertained that the frame fits perfectly in the window’s opening, it’s time to install your air conditioner. When you do this, ensure that the A/C leans back sufficiently and screw it into place.

When finished, you’ll realize that there is a space left on top of the frame, which takes us to the next step.

  1. Cover the Frame’s Top

    This can be done by using plywood of any thickness. But before you cover the top of the frame, first measure its opening. After that, use plywood of similar measurements and screw it on the frame to cover the hole above it.

  2. Install the Air Conditioner in the Sliding Window

    After building the frame accordingly, it’s now time to install it into the window frame. Slide the window against the window framing to make available the space you chose for the air conditioner.

Fit the frame or if you had screwed the air conditioner in the frame, fit them both on the space left by the sliding window. You can screw the air conditioner’s structure against the window’s frame using large screws to tighten it.

Once you are done, you can plug in the A/C and turn it on.

Bottom Line

You are responsible for ensuring that your home or office is as comfortable as possible to live in. In this case, having a window air conditioner in your sliding window will guarantee fresh air for you and a cool breeze at all times. Following the above highlighted steps will ensure that you do an incredible installation job.