How To Add a Velcro Screen Door to Keep Bugs Out

Mitch Couch
by Mitch Couch
5 Materials

Are insects keeping you from enjoying the natural breeze through your back door? If so, I have a simple and effective solution for you. I’m going to walk you through the process of adding a velcro screen door over your existing one.


It’s a quick and easy project that will allow you to enjoy the fresh air without the uninvited swarm of bugs.


This post was transcribed by a member of the Hometalk editorial team from the original HometalkTV episode.

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Tools and Materials:

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Measure your door

1. Measure and Cut the Screen

Start by measuring your existing door.

Creating a bug-free entrance

For the standard 36-inch door, cut the 80-inch window screen right down the middle at the 18-inch mark.

Simple screen door guide

Use a razor blade or scissors and cut along a straight edge.

How to make a screen door with velcro

2. Prepare Velcro Strips

Velcro will be the hero of this DIY.

Stick your velcro pieces together

Take a 24-inch Velcro strip and stick the two sides together.

Measure and cut the velcro

Measure and cut eight 3-inch strips.

Homemade bug barrier

3. Attach Velcro to Screen

Place the strips along one half of the screen, approximately every foot, ensuring they are evenly distributed.

Fresh air without insects

Once all eight strips are in place, peel off the remaining backing.

Fold the screen

4. Attach the Second Screen Half

Fold the second screen upwards, in half (folding the screen makes it easier to work with).

Practical insect control

Align it with the Velcro strips on the first half.

Screen door project tips

You want there to be a bit of an overlap.

DIY home improvement

Press down firmly to secure the two halves together.

Bug-resistant door tutorial

Continue down the screen.

Upholstery pins for securing screen

5. Secure Screen to the Door

To secure the screen to the door we will use pins with sturdy heads.

Screen door installation

Attach the screen in the middle of the door first. Use a hammer to knock the pins into the door frame.

How to build a screen to keep insects out

Continue the process around the door.

How to add a screen door

Place enough pins to ensure a secure fit, providing stability without overcrowding.

DIY screen door

6. Finishing Touches

If there's excess screen on the sides, you can fold it in.

Insect-free living: Adding a Velcro screen to a door

Test the door by opening and closing it to ensure it functions smoothly.


More More Bug-resistant Ideas

Don't miss our tutorial on how to Keep Mosquitoes Away for another clever way to repel insects.

Crafting a bug barrier

How to Make a Screen Door and Keep Insects Out

Your velcro screen door is now ready to face the bug invasion and let the fresh air flow freely. I hope this guide has made the process simple and enjoyable for you.


Share your thoughts, experiences, or any additional tips in the comments section below.

Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 11 questions
  • Pat Griffith Pat Griffith on Jun 30, 2024
    Why do you keep saying "attach it to the door" when you are attaching it to the door frame? Just so people would wonder how in the world you could attach a screen to a door and be able to open it?
  • Ken105875890 Ken105875890 on Jul 07, 2024
    Wouldn't magnets work better for closing the middle? I'm pretty sure that fumbling with velcro is a pain. And if you still use velcro with the adhesive back, you should use a desk stapler to make it stay stuck to the screen.
  • Trish Sweeton Trish Sweeton on Jul 28, 2024
    Wouldn't wrapping firring strips to avoid the tension on the screen?
Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 62 comments
  • Woo132340651 Woo132340651 on Nov 05, 2024

    Magnetic mesh screen doors. $30 at Home Depot.

  • Tonya Martin Tonya Martin on Nov 05, 2024

    This 'hack' has been around for quite awhile now.....and those have magnets! It is a good DIY idea but instead of velcro, magnets!! 😉

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