replacing vinyl windows on screen porch any secrets to getting out the wrinkles ?

Question

I have been trying to replace the vinyl windows on my screen porch without a lot of sucess. Too many wrinkles. Can you tell me an easy way or give me instuctions on how to install. I have the roll of Vinyl and the spline. I'have been told to use a heat gun to take out the wrinkles. Please HELP.

Still the same problem with the wrinkles.
I think there have been some good answers, however, I believe everyone thinks I'm talking about screens. My screens are fine, it's the soft vinyl ( comes on a roll ) that I'm talking about.

Answer 1

The pros use several short pieces of spline to temporarily put the screen in place before they roll the long lengths of spline into the grooves. For a large screen, cut yourself six or eight pieces of spline about 4" long. Start in the upper left hand corner and roll in an inch or two of the spline, leaving a tag end so you can easily remove it later. Line the screen up along the top of the frame and install another short piece in the upper right hand corner.

Go to one of the bottom corners and install another short piece making sure that the screen is hanging straight with no big obvious wrinkles. Install another piece in the other bottom corner. You may need to install an extra piece half way up the sides if the screen is extremely big.

The screen should be ready for the premanent spline to be rolled in with no big sags or wrinkles. Starting across the top, begin rolling the spline in while leaving enough spline so that the temporary piece can be removed and the spline rolled in from the other direction.

Now go to the bottom of the screen and repeat the process you just did at the top. The screen should now be tight from top to bottom with no waves or wrinkles. You are now ready to roll in the sides and trim the excess screen.

Most people make the mistake of trying to overstretch the screen. Done correctly, the spline will tighten up the screen.

I'm betting that you will quickly get the hang of this and finish your screens in no time.

Good luck with your project.

Answer 2

Vinyl Screen Porch

Answer 3

Vinyl Porch Windows

Answer 4

If yours is rectangular shaped, start at one of the short sides. Place pre-cut screen fabric (sized at least 3/4" beyond grooves) and roll in the spline.

Then go to the opposite short side and align fabric loosely over groove and when spline is rolled in, the fabric will be taut in this one direction.

Then proceed to one of the long sides and roll in the spline.

Finally, the last long side is a breeze since your window frame should be solid. This method should take out any wrinkles, even though the screen fabric itself may not be exactly square to your frame. Once up, no one is the wiser except you.

If the frame is not solid, the last rolling action will tend to bring the 2 long sides toward each other, creating gaps. In that case, then I would measure the clear distance between the opposite long sides and cut at least two pieces (more if your window is large) of 1 x 2 to this length and place them to hold the 2 long sides parallel-apart while rolling in the last side. This assumes that your window can be placed on the ground.

Answer 5

start at the top and get one side good then pull the bottom corners down and lock them in place with the spline then the sides should just fall into place

Answer 6

Yeah, I'd try a heat gun or maybe a hair dryer...