Pet mesh changed everything — tired screen, clever fix, no more claw marks.

May 12, 2025

Simple Steps to Fix Ripped Flyscreens Without the Headache

When that first tear shows up — maybe thanks to a curious pet paw or a strong gust rattling the frame — it’s tempting to ignore it. Just a little rip, right? But in a country town, where flies behave like they own the place and mozzies arrive uninvited for dinner, that little rip doesn’t stay little for long.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tradie or own a shed full of tools to get your screens looking sharp and sealed again. With the right gear, a calm 20 minutes, and maybe a cuppa waiting at the end, you can get it done.

"One worn-out screen was letting in three flies an hour — after a quick rescreen, not a single buzz."

What actually causes screens to rip?

Usually, it’s a mix of time, pets, and the good ol’ Aussie sun.

Sun exposure makes screen mesh brittle over time.
Cats and dogs treat screens like their own drive-thru window.
Wind and weather shake up frames until they give way.

It doesn’t mean your home’s falling apart — it just means your well-loved screen’s done its time. And repairing it doesn’t have to be a drama.

How to Repair — or Replace — Window Flyscreens

Tools You’ll Need:

New flyscreen mesh (standard or pet-resistant)
Spline (the rubber strip that holds the mesh in place)
Spline roller (a handy tool that looks like a double-ended pizza cutter)
Scissors or utility knife
Flat screwdriver or butter knife

Step-by-Step:

Pop out the frame – Most flyscreens lift out with a gentle wiggle. If it’s painted in, run a flat edge around the perimeter first.
Remove the old spline – Use a screwdriver to lift it out. The mesh will follow.
Cut your replacement mesh – Leave a 3–4cm border around the frame so you’ve got something to grip.
Lay the mesh and roll in the new spline – Start at one corner and press the new spline into the groove with your roller. Keep tension on the mesh so there’s no slack.
Trim the excess – With a utility knife, slice around the edge inside the frame to tidy it up.
Test the fit – Press the frame gently back into place. That’s it.

And don't stress if you mess up the first round. Flywire’s affordable, and so are the tools. Or if DIY isn’t your thing? There are always local experts nearby happy to do the tricky bit (and they’ll do it right the first time).

Which Mesh Should You Go With?

Not all mesh is created equal. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

Standard mesh: Good for insect control, best for gentle households.
Pet mesh: Woven thicker, resists clawing and pushing. A must-have if you’ve got pets with ‘window patrol’ duties.
Aluminium mesh: Slightly pricier, great durability, and fire-retardant — useful in bushfire-prone streets.

Feel the edges in your palm. Pet mesh feels tougher, almost like a woven plastic. Aluminium feels like wiry fabric. Both last longer than the basic version and keep your place looking lived-in, not chewed-through.

Does it really matter if you fix it?

Yes — and not just for the little bugs that slip in.

Broken screens drag down the whole room. They stand out for the wrong reasons, especially if you’re preparing to sell or host.
They’re an invitation for insects. And once flies discover an open bar, believe me — they don’t leave.
Left unchecked, small rips turn into full mesh detachment.

Keeping screens snug is like fresh DIY sunscreen for your windows — practical and easy to keep up if you catch it early.

Fast Track Tip: Onsite Rescreening

If your screens are warped, frames are buckled, or you just don’t want to wrestle with spline while juggling a toddler — you’re not out of options.

Drop by your trusted local hardware team and bring the frames in. You can get pet-resistant mesh fitted properly in one visit and skip the inevitable ‘cut twice, measure once’ scenario.

“After switching to pet mesh, my dog hasn’t busted through once — miracle!”

Fixing a flyscreen isn’t about perfection — it’s about staying one step ahead of the chaos. It's a little job with outsized impact, whether you’re keeping bugs out, prepping for guests, or making your home feel more ‘finished’ to your own eyes.

And sometimes, getting it sorted quickly just means swinging by the folks who do it every day. (We’ll even help measure it freehand if you’ve lost the sizing... again.)

Until next time — neat screens, no bugs, and windows that look like they’re cared for.

Cheers,
Candeece