Window Screen Replacement Cost Calculator

In 2026, window screen work typically costs $20 to $60 per screen. Re-screening — replacing the mesh in an existing frame — usually runs about $20 to $40 per standard screen, while a brand-new screen (new frame plus mesh) runs about $40 to $60. Larger screens cost more: a large picture-window screen is roughly 50% more, and a patio sliding-door screen can be two or more times the price of a standard window screen. The mesh type also matters — premium meshes like solar, pet-resistant, or fine no-see-um cost extra. Most shops have a small minimum charge, so a single screen may cost a bit more per screen than a batch.

Re-screening (also called re-meshing) means keeping your existing screen frame and replacing only the screen material — the old mesh is removed, new mesh is stretched over the frame, and it's secured with fresh spline (the rubber cord that holds the mesh in the frame's groove). It's the cheapest option and perfect when the frame is still straight and solid but the mesh is torn, sagging, or holed. A new screen means building a complete new screen — a new aluminum frame cut to size plus new mesh — which is needed when the frame itself is bent, corroded, cracked, or missing. If your frames are in good shape, re-screening saves money; if they're damaged, a new screen is the way to go.

It depends on your needs. Standard fiberglass mesh is the most common and economical, flexible, and easy to work with. Aluminum mesh is more durable and holds its shape better but can dent. No-see-um mesh has a tighter weave to keep out tiny insects like gnats and sand flies, ideal near water. Pet-resistant mesh is a heavy-duty vinyl-coated polyester that resists tearing from cats and dogs — great for doors and low windows. Solar screen (sun-blocking) mesh is a denser weave that blocks a large portion of the sun's heat and glare, helping cool the room and protect furnishings, popular on sun-facing windows. This calculator lets you pick the mesh so the estimate reflects any upgrade cost.

Re-screening a standard window screen is a very DIY-friendly project if the frame is in good shape. You remove the old spline and mesh, lay new mesh over the frame, and use an inexpensive spline roller to press new spline into the groove, trapping the mesh, then trim the excess. A re-screen kit (mesh, spline, and a roller) is cheap, and there are many tutorials. The trickier parts are getting the mesh tight and even without waves, and handling large or sliding-door screens, which are awkward and easy to bow. If you have many screens, damaged frames, or want premium mesh installed cleanly, a professional re-screening service is fast and ensures a tight, professional result. Doors and large screens are where DIY most often goes wrong.

Many screen repair providers offer two options: you remove your screens and bring them in (or they're picked up), the shop re-screens them, and you reinstall them or have them dropped off; or a mobile technician comes to your home, removes the screens, re-screens them on site or at the truck, and reinstalls them. On-site and pickup/reinstall service is more convenient — especially for upper-story or hard-to-reach screens — but adds a service fee for the trip and labor. Dropping screens off yourself is the cheapest route. This calculator includes a pickup-and-reinstall add-on so you can budget for full-service convenience versus handling the removal and reinstallation yourself.

For re-screening, you don't need precise measurements — the shop reuses your existing frame, so you just bring or show the screen. For a brand-new screen, measure the frame's outside width and height (or the opening it fits into) as accurately as possible, ideally to the nearest 1/16 inch, and note the frame depth and the type of corners and any hardware (pull tabs, clips, spring-loaded plungers) so the new screen fits and installs correctly. It also helps to bring an old frame as a sample. Sliding-door and specialty screens often have specific hardware and dimensions, so a professional measurement is wise for those. When in doubt, have the provider measure to guarantee a proper fit.

Standard insect screens have a minimal effect on energy use, but solar (sun-blocking) screen mesh can make a real difference on sun-facing windows. Solar screens have a tighter, denser weave that blocks a significant share of the sun's heat and UV before it reaches the glass, reducing heat gain, cutting glare, and lowering cooling costs in hot, sunny climates, while also protecting furniture and flooring from fading. They do darken the view and reduce incoming light somewhat. Regular fiberglass or aluminum insect screens mainly keep bugs out and don't meaningfully insulate. If energy savings and sun control are a goal, upgrading to solar screen mesh on your sunniest windows is the most effective screen choice, and this calculator includes it as a mesh option.

Re-screening is quick. A standard window screen can be re-meshed in just 10 to 20 minutes by a pro, so a whole house of screens is often done same-day, and many shops offer while-you-wait or next-day turnaround. Building brand-new frames takes a little longer because the frame stock has to be cut and assembled, but it's still usually a same-day or next-day job. Larger sliding-door and picture-window screens take more time to handle and tension properly. If you're using a mobile service, the technician can often complete a typical home's screens in a single visit. Rush service is sometimes available for an extra fee if you need them done immediately, which this calculator includes as an add-on.