Screen Tight Install Tips and Tricks 

Thank you so much for making a video that is so thorough..showing possible mistakes..I'm a 72 year old female and did a porch on my trailer to keep cats from running out the door...It was hard to spline the heavy duty animal screen..especially for old hands..but got it done and proud ..but never could have done it without your lesson . Thanks again

I'm 15 minutes in and had to stop the video to say you are an awesome teacher!! You are so right about the videos that are available. Not enough practical information. My builder wanted to charge me thousands to screen in the covered porch. Building prices are crazy high right now and I'm all about saving money. I can't thank you enough :) Now back to your video.

This is the longest video I have ever watched all the way through on RU-vid. I just gotta say, thank you very much for this great in-depth video. You’re a phenomenal teacher. Thank you.

I absolutely loved the fact that you showed your viewers the struggles and issues that might pop up during installation of a project like this. I've watched it twice and took many notes so when I get my project underway, then it'll be an easy success. Thank you!

This has to be one of the most informative and easy watching videos I've seen on RU-vid. Usually I get annoyed after a few minutes. I watch the entire video and thought it was great.

Awesome video, I did the porch on my house when Screen-Tight first came out around 1990, it's a very easy system to install. About 5 years later I went on to start a part-time mobile screening business on the Coast of North Carolina professionally installing Screen-Tight and other systems for porches, rescreening window and door screens in a converted bread truck, then purchased an 18ft trailer to build a mobile workshop. Your tips were spot on, I used the Craftsman Handi-cut that you mentioned to cut the vinyl in the same orientation that you did. Later started using a mitre-saw with a 60 tooth blade, that provided a cleaner more accurate cut. I once had a customer that we had installed the system on her 2nd level porch and she later wanted the underside of the deck screened as well to keep mosquitos out, what a pain trying to screen over your head, but it turned out nice.

I've got to hand it to you, Anthony. Not only is this this hands down the best tutorial for installing Screen Tight products that I have seen, it is also one of the best tutorials I have seen of any type. Ever. Your attention to detail, and additional helpful hints passed on from your own experience doing the work yourself is extremely beneficial. Most tutorials are far too short and condensed, and omit the most useful parts of an install (the mistakes), and a mention of how to fix those mistakes. You have included both. Extraordinarily good job on this tutorial. You have another subscriber.

I just finished screening in a 26x18 shelter. Your video coached me through it. Genuinely thankful to you.

This was a helpful video, certainly better than the brief commercial videos put out by the company or Home Depot. I did a large porch DIY with several sections that were aprox 7'x4'. Doing it myself saved me about $2000 over professional estimates. Also, I am no handy man so the project was challenging to say the least. Note, I found Home Depot the best place to get the "system" both in convenience and price. As I did it by myself there is one tip I'd like to share and one major mistake that Shelton presented. I kept small pieces of spline in my pocket (2-3") and would use that to hold up the screen at the top randomly (just pushing them in). As I began putting the long spline in I would just pull out the short pieces as I got near to them. I couldn't have done it otherwise. Shelton's mistake was to advise getting a small wheeled spline tool. You can see in the video as he continues to go back and forth pushing in the spline. I HIGHLY advise spending the $10 to buy the spline tool sold by Screen Tight. It fits their tracks perfectly. There were numerous times I could just run the spline in with a single movement. It also comes with a retractable cutting tool which was incredibly beneficial. You are seriously nuts if you don't by that tool.

Anthony, a huge THANK YOU for making this video! I am about to install the screen tight system tomorrow at my son's house in Knoxville, and your video was step by step and easy to follow. I've been a teacher for 30 years, and you are an excellent teacher--thanks for not rushing it so folks like me can learn. Love the hat with Smoky and the Power T! I'm a UTK alumni and my wife is too, and our son in Knoxville is at UTK right now. :-)

Sir!!! I rarely watch a long video on how to stuff. However, you did an outstanding job explaining the screen tight system!!! I’m doing a similar build and had questions that I couldn’t find answers to%!! You nailed it!!! As a side note, I’m an educator. You were very succinct, detailed and not overly verbose!! Great work and really great video!!!!!

This was a fantastic tutorial, thank you! My husband rolled his eyes but agreed to watch it with me before we started our project. I mean, because most men think they can just ‘figure it out.’ Lol He admitted he learned a lot of helpful tips, which really sped up the lengthy process of screening in our 2nd story, 21’ x 6’ screened in porch. 😬 Everything went smoothly, and we’re almost done. I wish we knew how to manage the horizontal install of long lengths of the covers (we are using the 3 1/2” ones). There’s no place to clamp the other end when everything’s covered by screen and we only have 1 ladder! We’ll figure it out! Thanks again!

Best and most in-depth video I found for installation of this system. Very nicely done, thanks for taking the time to do this. I can already tell that watching this before I start will save me a lot of time and headaches.

So I just finished my screening and it took a total of 19 hours. I’ve watched videos for months, and let me say that your video got me through with the less amount of complications. Everything that you said to look out for is what happened or could have happened if not for your teaching. I followed your advice to a to the letter. Thank you so so much! I am so proud of the job that I did. I didn’t realize how big my patio was until I started. I’m literally sitting outside with a beverage right now; and no bug as bothered me nor my drink 😆 Your video is absolutely amazing; and I’ve already sent 2 people your video for reference.

Thanks for the video! I bought my supplies this morning so that I could start this project tomorrow. I sat down this evening to see some how to videos and I’m glad I found yours.

Thanks for the video. It really helped me to avoid any huge pitfalls while using this product to screen in my patio. I did make the mistake, twice, of installing the spline on the outside of a track instead of the inside. I did learn, however, that if you install another piece of spline on the correct side before removing the mistake, you will get a panel that is tight as a drum! Mosquito free life is awesome!!

Thanks so much for this video. It's nice to see a thorough video at normal speed. You've demonstrated that screen tight might just be what I'm looking for. That hammering tap in the end is very thoughtful and helpful. Thank you very much sir. Edit: also you're exactly right. My kids will tear it up at least once per kid so repair will be easy. Wish I could like this twice.

Just finished putting this up on my moms back porch. I think I ended up using every tip in the video and it was a massive help. Thanks!!!

Hi Tony: Your video presentation was thorough and practical. It gave me a clear understanding what tools are needed and level of skill required. I am installing patio screen to prevent next store golf course players balls hitting us while enjoying the outdoors. I would hire you. Thanks, Bob

A long video for sure but definitely worth it for a "real world" idea of what installing screen really involves, vs a shiny glossy quickie "look how easy it is" video. I very much appreciate you taking the time to go through this.

Great Video at a Pace to Understand, Easy Watching, Easy to Understand, This 75 Year Old is ready to Take on the Job !!!!

Hey Anthony. Thank you so much for your video. I am a 63 year old lady with a porch that badly needed re-screening this year but I was not feeling good about those staples, tall ladders, and wood trim. So I did some construction (!!!!!!) so I could put the screen on the inside using the screentight system. It has taken about 3 months to add 2x4's and stain and then the screentight. A little confusing until I watched your video because the manufacturer's videos are minimal (hey it's easy!!) , although they were very helpful with my email questions.The project is nearly finished now except for the door. The ONLY thing I would add is the use of the "mouse" tool to put the screen on. I had a difficult time with the other tool. I also bought the cutting tool you recommended.

I followed the directions in this video and was able to successfully install Screen Tight on my porch, so I highly recommend this video - great job!

I maintained a screen enclosure at my former home for 30 years. Everything you said was spot on. One thing I would add is get a taller ladder. When you do the spline you should be shoulder high to the spline.

Just installed my screen tight system today. This tutorial has been invaluable to my success. Thanks so much!!!

This is the best video I have found on installing this screen. I am about to install mine tomorrow. Great video. Thanks!

I paid someone a few years ago to add this to my screen porch - only 10 ft side & long 30 ft side and now screens are being blown out. I appreciate your video. I’m too short at 66 & 4’11’. But, I’m going to try & fix myself, one at a time. Ppl just don’t do good work anymore or care. I appreciate the tips & mistakes you detail in this video. My screens are slightly loose all over. Fortunately, only one blown for now. But, cats are mad they cannot have porch time….they figure out how to rip out my stapled temporary holds. 😅😂

My fiancé and I are screening in our patio, before the “patio” it was just a carport with a lean-to connected to our house. We decided to screen it in due to bugs and for that feeling of having a little bit of privacy. Before I seen your video I was extremely frustrated and confused as to why it was not working and flowing the way I imagined it should. Tried to watch a couple of other tutorials but they felt rushed and I couldn’t finish them as I felt they were missing information. But you, my good sir, have done a phenomenal job! I also like your little jokes that you make, that are clearly inside jokes with yourself, but don’t think some of us didn’t laugh. 😅 Anyways, thank you sir. You are going to make finishing this Honey-Do project flow much faster and look professional. Let’s just hope I can get it done before my fiancé makes my Honey-Do list longer than what it already is. 😅😂😂

I really appreciate the detail in this video. I’ve been considering a number of options for screening in our deck, I believe this is the way I’ll go. Our deck is very high off the ground, so working from the exterior of it was of concern, but for the look and quality, I’ll figure that part out. Thanks again!

Dude, this is an awesome video. I'm going to install a screened porch on my house here in Alaska. We've been here for a number of years, but this year in particular the mosquitoes have been murder. Thanks for your help!

Bro, thank you SO much for this video. You're absolutely right, every manufacturer video blows through the process, without showing or explaining some important things. I'm in the middle of converting my deck into a screened porch. Thanks to your video, a lot of time wasting mistakes that I would have made will now be avoided. So again, thank you so much. BTW, your back patio turned out great! You did good work on it. Don't hesitate to make other videos on your other projects. People appreciate simplicity, and you do a good job of breaking things down, and pointing out real problems...that's the end of the rant lol..back to my porch!! 😄🔨📐🪚👍👍⭐️🤝

Thank you for a realistic instruction video. I am not a skilled handy man and I did one section before I watched your video. I couldn't get the cap on because I used the wrong track to spline and none of the manufacturing videos were detailed enough for me to know what I did wrong. You answered that question and gave me a half dozen good ideas. Thanks again and off to buy a tool belt....

Thank you for this. VERY helpful. I enter Day No. 2 of my Screen Tight project tomorrow. This project is very labor intensive and will require me to take three days off work to get it all done. My screen porch is on the second floor of my home and the project I'm doing is about as large as the one you did here. Saving lots of money doing it myself, I keep reminding myself. Thanks for the straightforward, independent-thinker approach you took here. You probably saved me a fourth day off from work. :-)

This video was awesome and helped me with my screened porch - thanks so much for sharing. I had a tough time finder the tool to cut the the tracks that Anthony mentioned, so I actually used a jigsaw with a laminate blade and it worked perfect! Highly recommend that approach. I cut them with the flat side down. No issues at all.

So many videos tell you next to nothing about what you REALLY need to know as you go along through a job. Your video is one of the most helpful and comprehensive how-to's I have ever seen. Way to go! I feel fully prepared to do this job now. Are you a teacher for your day job? Thanks so much for this helpful video.

Excellent tutorial. Thanks. One thing I did differently was to skip the cutting the screen between sections. I let the hanging screen help me stay straight with the lower section, then cut the screen between the grooves after splinning. Saved a little time in starting the lower section and keeping the screen tight. Again. Thanks for an excellent tutorial.

Best video out there for the Screen Tight system. Thanks for the tips I'm getting ready to re-screen my porch that was recently blown out by hurricane Eta! Once again GREAT VIDEO!

I was getting to rescreen my porch using the staple method but saw your video and went out and out purchased this track system. Thanks for showing the right way to do it.

By FAR, the best install video on the 'Screen Tight' system I have seen...Thank you!

I’m about to start a porch in an hour and this was a huge help. Never done it before. Liked and subscribed

Thank you Seth Rogen, I was dying trying to get the caps on. Turns out I needed to trim all the screen outside of the spline. You helped me out.

Thank you so much for this detailed video. I’m planning to screen in my patio in a few weeks, and I will definitely watch your video a couple more times before then. I have taken notes and will be getting some of the recommended tools as well. What I would love to see is a video with the details for framing and installing the door.

Recently learned about this screen system. Thankfully I also found this video ! I think this video 📹 should be awarded an Oscar for best how-to video of 2022 😀

Thanks for making this. I’m in the middle of this project and was struggling with the screening. This will really help.

Thanks for this! Your attention to every detail is so helpful (like the cone screw head). Now I feel comfortable moving forward with doing this project!

Great Video! I really appreciated how thorough you were describing the whole process from start to finish. I had never done anything like this, but with this video I was able to complete my screened in porch with professional results. Thank you so much!

Ditto on the other comments- really good and helpful. A couple of ideas for others to try. I bought a 1/8 inch hinge self centering bit at HDepot for under 10 bucks. Was perfect for centering the pilot holes in the track. And I used wire cutters to trim the spline (much safer than the utility knife). To cut the track I used a good pair of pruning shears- they worked really well. My only quibble was the Packer's shirt. I had to put my Vikings pride aside and focus on the installation instead. 😄

Awesome video! Just did this project myself and saved so much money. I thought this was going to be tough but after watching the video I banged this out in a couple weekends. Thanks for posting this!

Well done! Now I feel like I know how to do this using Screen Tight. You did a great job explaining some of the nuances like putting the small piece of spline in each corner to hold the screen in place. I'm starting my screens tomorrow morning and hopefully it'll all go well!

Thanks for showing the real time portion and the difficulties involved.

FANTASTIC video! Thank you for explaining hand showing this in real time and realistic steps and nuances.

Really helpful video my friend... Thank you for the thoughtfulness and the time it took you to do it ~ Much appreciated (by strangers you will never meet no less), but it's a genuinely helpful gift, so thank you again and again ~

I appreciate your sharing this experience. You produced a very useful video here . Screening is like painting in that it looks easy until you actually do it yourself .

Great detail in this video. Am glad I stumbled across it before starting to lay the track and screen. Thanks for putting this together and sharing!

Thank you for making this video! We’re in the process of screening in our back deck for a catio. This was helpful, thanks again!

Thanks so much for this! I feel like every other video they’re just trying to show you how easy it is to use the system. I wish I’d found this before I started cutting the track but now I know what to use for the cap!

Amazingly done!!! Thank you so much! I’ll be starting on my patio in a couple of days. Such an informative diy 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Thank you for showing a real depiction of this project, very helpful :)

Just wrapped up our screen porch remodel today and this video was a HUGE help! Thanks a ton! Oh, and Go Pack Go!

Best video by far. Thanks for all of your help. I just fixed a broken screen in an hours time alone under $25 instead of paying someone else to come by and probably cost a whole bunch.

I have done many screens and glass repairs growing up in 60s and 70s and taught by an elderly guy who has done it for years. good vid on some pointers folks don’t think it. I am planning on this (If i don’t get lazy and just staple like crazy and 1x4- 1x2 PVC TRIM and screw it. But want option to replace partial screen as ya mentioned. 1. Glad you mentioned (30 min in) about the wheel of spline tool away from panel. (ruined enough in our hardware store - dad not happy). very important. 2. Good idea on using the clamps. May i add use the clamps and some scraps to hold one side of screen firm while doing other side? (windows, i had all corners clamped to tightness). This may help keep screen, especially fiberglas from moving and allow u to use that extra hand to keep the spine in line of groove 3. If you can secure the corners or two edges, as you start your spline, keep the spline near the channel and pull a bit on it. find it will go in easier and not having weight pull it down (i worked with up to 48”, but guy who taught me said it helps with setting the spline 4. Get a GOOD quality SPLINE tool. one with large and small wheel.- i have seen the ones in big box store and won’t use them. found one i like at Ace Hardware, wooden handles and better quality) 4. Why not use SS pan head screws, pre-drilling is a must and glad you mentioned that. I’m looking at Pan Head just for the reason ya mentioned “moving” and why vendor says “drywall had many of us baffled) 5. For corners, get the 1” cheap plastic putty knives (not chisel tip). Worn out 1” plastic can be cut down width wise and great for corners. ??? Have had folks down in FL say their fiberglass screen started to sag…. I am not sure if you or anyone experienced this. i’m still debating on aluminum or the fiberglass mesh. But would first contribute to sagging within weeks or months due to poor install or wrong size spline or other. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Def had some great pointers there. Now hopefully I can get my stuff done while weather is good. And also great tips on the install and cutting of the plate. These are tough lessons to learn. Thanks for great vid.👍👍👍

Fantastic video, thanks for taking the time to put this together. My installation went super smoothly this weekend thanks to you.

Love your so detailed in both explaining and the final finished look. This looks great.

Great job for helping a first timer like me. A big improvement over factory video.

The best DIY video I ve seen. I would like to add if you run your strips first cut a short piece of cap and snap it on when you put put screws. This also works for runs more than 8ft

Thanks man. I am building a new home that has a covered porch but screening was going to cost too much. I know now for sure I can do this. 👍🏾

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you for making such a thorough video!

Great video. Much better than other Screen Tight ones. Thanks

Thank you for making this video! I'm about to screen in a front porch that had some old rusty storm windows. This will help tremendously.

Thanks for the real person approach. I found your video very helpful and simple. I can't imagine not being able to do it after watching this. Thanks!!!

Awesome video, I do appreciate the time and effort..you answered all my questions..Thanks Side note Your really Mikey from Orange county choppers....we found you!

Liked your video and how you show us real life rather than manufactures videos. Trick I discovered is to use the spline tool to push the screen into the track first then put the spline in over it . That makes the spline go into the grove so much easier. I’m sure I didn’t invent that. Thanks

Great video man screen tight should pay you since they dont offer very much on the best way as you do to install pull screen hold screen etc and line screening up. I’m a contractor and yea I always pickup technics along the way. By you showing the best way allows me to jump in on this big screen project I’m about to start. Thank you. Screw you screentight for very little insight 😮

Hey Antony, thank you very much for your time that you dedicated for us - your viewers. Meticulously thorough and detailed video! And good looking result! Very well done sir! Just one critical note: since many of your followers are just beginners, please be carefully with certain professional tricks and advises, like cutting anything with utility blade against your thumb. There is the risk for someone who will try to do it for the first time.

This is good. I've never seen any other screen systems on the market. This looks like something even I could do.

Just finished up my screen tight system and used a lot of your advice. Great video, thank you!

Best instruction for screen tight install I've found on you tube.

Wow! What a great video. Thanks. One suggestion: rather than using the utility knife to trim the spline at the ends, invest in a cheap pair of cuticle scissors. Their blades are only about 1/4" long. I would also experiment with some sort of clamps - maybe three of them - weighing about a pound each, to clip to the bottom of the pre-cut piece of screen to help pull it down after you've splined the top. Just an idea: haven't tried it yet.

Yes thanks. I just built my framed porch.. I am going to order the screen tight to do the screen.. Yep everything takes time that's for sure. Great job on the video. Watched it all buddy!

I just installed this system on the front side the longest side of a porch I built. Instead of using the slots used a countersink bit and drill your own holes and you will not have to worry about the base walking over on you. I fought it doing it that way a little while and then changed to just using my countersink bit and things went much faster and smoother and came out nice and straight! I used 1 1/4" exterior star drive screws. Also, you just need to cut the screen just below the base like at the bottom once you have the top in. Then use a Hyde 5 way smoothing tool and push the screen into the bottom groove while you roll the screen into the top groove and it will be easier and come out nice and tight! Another tip I used my Kobalt 7 1/4" cordless miter saw with a Diablo composite decking blade to cut the base and the cap. I also did not find the need for a mallet I just pushed in the middle of the cap starting on one end then just hold up the other end with one hand and just push in the center toward the end you are holding up and it will pop in as you slide your thumb or fingers down the middle. In some cases, you may have to push in on certain stubborn spots with more effort. I also had no problem sliding it like a 1/16" or less to tighten the but gaps. In spots where you are filling in a sort section of the cap cut it a 1/16" long then put one end in bend it out in the middle then put the other end in and pop the middle in and you will not be able to see the seams unless you are up really close looking hard.

I like to mark up the concave side of the tool with a sharpie to make it easier to see.

Seth Rogen voice is finally healing, great job seth!

Nice job showing how to do this. I think I'll buy this product now and do mine. Thanks again.

One of the best tutorials I've ever seen!

This is a spectacular tutorial. Nicely done Anthony!

Thanks for all the tips, looks awesome! I found that if you pull slightly on the spline when rolling in to the channel it makes it go in so much easier. Pulling on it stretches it a little and makes the process way faster.

Thanks for such a thorough run-through. This was very helpful for my installation with all the tips and tricks. Kudos!

Thanks for the how to. Storm blew my screens out this morning so I put the screen system in after watching this video.

Thanks for making the video. Very useful to see how you went about it and lots of great tips. Im also amazed you didn't cut your thumbs with that knife. I would have.

Excellent video! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I'd love to have this and then install sliding windows on the inside. Very cool.

Awesome job and great at explaining the little things that really matter. I'll be doing my back porch in the next few weeks and I'm glad I found this... Thanks for taking the time!

Hey Great job on the video. I am getting ready to do a screen porch and thanks for sharing the tips. I have one suggestion about the screws. I think I will use the BLUE 1 1/4 pocket hole screws by Lionmax. They are exterior rated and have a flat underside so I will not need a pilot hole. Saves a step. Again thanks for all the info!!!

OUTSTADING. Great job, very patient, and some great little job tips to make life easier. Thanks and keep up the great work... Good luck Packers !

Watched the whole dang thing. Good tips and the vid really prepares you for installation. I’ll be coming back to use this as reference when I’m ready to install. Thanks brother!

Really appreciate the detailed instructions. Just started putting my own up.

I really have to thank you for this video as I have to install screen around a screened in porch on a mobile home tomorrow. Same type channel it just wont' have the cover cap when I'm done. I've never done screen before but want it to look as good and straight and tight as possible and I think you've shown me how to do that the rest is up to me.

Seriously awesome video! I appreciate you going through the steps in detail like this.

Thank you for making this video! It was so helpful! The tips and tricks saved us so much time and worked extremely well.

Thanks for the video. I first watched this last week before starting re-screening our porch with screen-tight. I'd like to pass along the BEST ADVICE EVER to make this job MUCH EASIER. Just prior to starting to roll the spline into the track, simply wipe liquid soap into track with your fingers. The difference in difficulty IS AMAZING! The slippery liquid soap will help to lubricate the track making it way easier to roll the spline. Try it!

This is my first video I have seen of yours, but thanks to your detail. I am now a subscriber, and look forward to you learning me some knowledge 😂🎉😅