A custom bug screen only fits as well as your measurements. The good news: measuring for one takes about five minutes per window, and you only need a tape measure, a pen, and your phone to jot down the numbers.
Measure the opening, not the old screen
The most common mistake is measuring the old, bent screen instead of the actual window opening. Frames warp, corners pull in, and a replacement built to a twisted frame will fit just as badly as the one you're replacing.
Always measure the window opening — the recess the screen sits inside. Open the window, remove the old screen, and measure the recess.
Take three measurements each way
Windows are rarely perfectly square. Take three width measurements (top, middle, bottom) and three height measurements (left, centre, right), and record the smallest of each. That's the size we build to.
- Width: Measure left jamb to right jamb, inside the recess.
- Height: Measure sill to top of the recess.
- Round to the nearest 1/16 inch — don't round down aggressively.
Check your screen track
Most BC homes use one of two systems: a spline-and-frame screen (the mesh is rolled into a channel on the frame) or a spring-and-track screen (the screen slides into a track with a spring at the top). Tell us which you have — or send a photo of the corner — and we'll match it.
When to let us measure instead
If your windows are unusually shaped, your home is over two storeys, or you're replacing a patio sliding door screen, book a professional measurement. We measure across Metro Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, the North Shore and the Fraser Valley, and we guarantee the fit.
Ready to get started? Send us your measurements through our Get a Quote form, or book a measurement and we'll come to you.