A method of assembling a sand screen assembly includes the steps of providing inner and outer shrouds having radial protrusions, such as ribs, louvers, splines, etc., that are radially unaligned during a first assembly step thereby providing clearance for positioning of a filter layer between the shrouds. The outer or inner shroud is then rotated until the protrusions are aligned and the clearance between the shrouds and filter layer is eliminated to provide a tight fit between the layers.