Make Insect Screens

Insect screens are designed to fit over doors and windows in order to keep flies, mosquitoes and other bugs out of the home, car or wherever you may be. Insect screens can be purchased from outdoor equipment stores or they can be made by hand. Making an insect screen requires few materials and can be finished and ready to use in minutes

Decide which kind of screen you would like to make before getting started. Choose between a door screen or a window screen. This will help you determine the height and width of the frame needed.

Measure the size of the opening that you wish to cover with an insect screen. Measure from the inside edges of the opening. Jot down the height and width. If you plan to just sit the screen on the windowsill, add half an inch to the height and one inch to the width. If it's going to be mounted in front of the window, and 1 1/2 inches to the measurements to allow for overlapping. If it will be placed inside of the window, take one centimeter off both the height and width.

Deduct the size of the corner stakes for the frame from your measurements that were made in the previous step. This will be your final measurement. The stakes will hold the frame together and may add a few inches to the corners. It is important to deduct the size to prevent the frame from being too large for the opening.

Cut the frame down to size. Be sure that it is cut to the exact measurements. Measure the frame pieces along the outside edges. Ensure that all of the corners are at 45-degree angles and cut the pieces using a hacksaw. File rough edges with sandpaper.

Put the frame together. Lay all four sides down so that they form a rectangle. Attach corner stakes to the corners of the frame in order to fit tightly and hold the frame together. Tap the corner stakes with a hammer so that they stay in place.

Lay the aluminum screen over the frame and cut it to size. It should be cut about two centimeters wider than the frame. Trim the corners of the screen at a 45-degree angle. Line up the cuts with the corners of the frames.

Push the screen into the grooves of the frame. Start at the corners and bend them slightly to fit into the frame. Do this for all four corners until the frame is secure