My dog figured out she could push through the screen door if she leaned hard enough. The hole started the size of a quarter and by the end of summer it was big enough for her entire head. Flies had a VIP entrance to my kitchen. I put off fixing it for two months because I assumed screen repair required skills I did not have. It took eight minutes.

For small holes: the patch method

If the hole is smaller than a golf ball, buy a screen repair patch at any hardware store. They are adhesive-backed mesh patches in various colors. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol, peel the backing, press the patch on from the outside, and rub it down firmly. Done. Cost: four dollars. Time: one minute.

The patch will be slightly visible up close because the mesh weave is never a perfect match. But from three feet away, nobody notices. I patched three small holes from my dog’s exploratory nose-pokes and you would have to be looking for them to spot them.

For larger holes: replace a section

If the hole is bigger than a few inches, you need a screen replacement kit which includes a roll of screen material, a spline roller tool, and spline (the rubber cord that holds the screen in the frame). Kits cost about twelve dollars and are designed for beginners.

The process: remove the old spline by prying it out with a flathead screwdriver. The damaged screen lifts right out. Lay the new screen over the opening, leaving an inch of overhang on all sides. Press the spline back into the groove using the roller tool it is basically a tiny pizza cutter for rubber cord. Trim the excess screen with a utility knife. The roller tool does all the technical work. You just apply pressure and roll.

I watched one YouTube video before attempting this and the actual repair took under ten minutes. The hardest part was keeping the screen material flat and wrinkle-free while rolling the spline. A second pair of hands helps but is not required tape one corner to the frame to hold tension while you work.

Metal versus fiberglass screens

Most modern screens are fiberglass which is flexible, does not dent, and is easier to work with. Older homes may have aluminum screens which dent permanently if pushed and require a different spline thickness. Check before you buy. The repair kit should specify which screen type it works with.

Fiberglass screen also comes in pet-resistant versions that are noticeably thicker and harder to tear. If you have a dog or cat that treats screens as a suggestion rather than a barrier, the upgrade is worth the extra few dollars.