How Much Does It Cost to Install Window Screens?

In this guide

Window Screens Cost by Material

Window screens come in many materials, each offering advantages and features. Pet-resistant screens are designed to handle pet scratches and keep pets from accidentally falling through open windows. Solar screens block out light and reduce UV-ray damage to your curtains or drapery. Think carefully about the different screen varieties and find those that fit your needs. The table below shows common screen types and their average costs. Most screens are in the lower price ranges, but you will pay significantly more for large and custom screens.

Fiberglass Window Screen Cost

Fiberglass screens cost between $25 and $150. Fiberglass is one of the most affordable materials you can find for your screens, but it is also prone to suffering wear and tear and needs to be repaired or replaced more regularly than a stronger alternative like stainless steel.

Vinyl Window Screen Cost

Vinyl screens range from $25 to $250. These screens are often made from other materials like vinyl-coated fiberglass or polyester and can be found in various styles and colors. They are usually affordable, but their durability varies.

Aluminum Window Screen Cost

Expect to pay around $25 to $250 for aluminum window screens, depending on the size and type. Aluminum is a popular and relatively affordable material for window screens. They are usually rust-resistant and last for years. However, they are not as durable as other materials like stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Window Screen Cost

Stainless steel screens cost between $30 and $400. Stainless steel is one of the best materials for window screens if you want durability and strength. It is a very tough material that withstands different temperatures and conditions. If you live by the coast, stainless steel screens can even withstand salty sea air.

Pet-Proof Window Screen Cost

Pet-resistant screens, or pet screens, range from $40 to $500. These screens are strong and durable and stand up to any pets you have in the home. They resist scratches and tears, keeping your pets safely indoors while allowing you to open windows and doors for fresh air.

Solar Window Screens Cost

Expect to pay between $40 and $800 for solar window screens, depending on the size. They are one of the more expensive screens you can buy, but they offer unique advantages. Solar screens block out the sun’s light for more privacy and protect any curtains, drapes, and furnishings you have near the windows from fading.

Copper Window Screen Cost

Copper screens cost $75 to $800 each, making them some of the most expensive screens. However, they are one of the strongest screens and most aesthetically pleasing, and many homeowners appreciate their durability and copper tone. Copper screens add a distinctive look.

Bronze Window Screen Cost

Bronze screens range from $75 to $800 each. The exact price depends on the make and size. Bronze is a popular material on the high end of the window screen spectrum. It is expensive but stands up well to the elements. These screens last for many years with minimal maintenance and cope with tough conditions without any issues.

Brass Window Screen Cost

Brass window screens cost between $100 and $800 each, making brass the most expensive material for window screens. These screens are strong, sturdy, and reliable, standing up to wind, rain, and changing temperatures. They are also striking from a visual perspective and give your home an elegant look.

Window Screens Price by Type

Window screens can also be categorized by type and material. There are standard pre-made screens designed to be fixed in place or hinged and retractable screens that move. The table below shows some common window screen types and their average costs:

Standard Window Screen

Standard window screens cost between $25 and $500 each, depending on the material. They are made to set sizes and designed to fit standard-sized windows, offering easy installation and remaining fixed in place without any movement possibilities. They are the simplest screen you can buy but also the least versatile.

Adjustable Window Screen

Adjustable window screens range from $40 to $800 each, depending on the size and material. If you want a ready-made screen but do not know the size, purchase an adjustable one. These screens can be adjusted with ease to fit many window sizes, allowing them to work in oddly shaped windows.

Retractable Window Screen

A retractable window screen costs $50 to $800. These window screens slide up and down while the frame remains in place to push the screen out of the way if you want an unobstructed view.

Hinged Window Screen

Hinged window screens average between $75 and $800, depending on the size and material. Like retractable screens, they allow some movement. They have a hinge on the frame that opens and closes the window without removing or adjusting the screen.

Custom Window Screen Cost

Custom window screens cost between $75 and $800 and can be standard, hinged, or adjustable. These screens are custom-made to suit windows that do not work with regular pre-made screens. A custom screen may be needed if you have oddly shaped or sized windows. The installer must also make and install a custom frame.

Security Screens for Windows Prices

Security screens range from $100 to $1,000. They are one of the most expensive window screens you can buy. They protect your property against criminals and are resistant to impacts, cuts, tears, and tampering. This provides peace of mind for homeowners.

Window Screens Cost by Brand

Window screens are produced and sold by a range of brands. Some brands specialize in certain materials or screens, while others offer a more general range of products. The table below shows some of the top window screen brands you can choose from, complete with average costs for their products:

Andersen Window Screen

Andersen window screens cost between $30 and $150. They offer a broad range of screen options. Andersen window screens are often made of aluminum and come in various sizes and colors. They also work in a wide range of windows, including casement, sash, and bay.

Pella Window Screen

Pella screens range in price from $35 to $200. Pella is a trusted window and window accessory manufacturer, offering a range of screens for windows of varying types. The brand’s INVIEW range maximizes light and airflow while offering more conventional, affordable fiberglass alternatives.

Milgard Window Screen

Milgard screens cost from $50 to $200 on average. They offer a wide selection of screen types, including standard aluminum mesh, UltraVue mesh that lets more light, solar mesh, and pet-resistant mesh. With Milgard, you have a wide range of options to suit almost every window.

Marvin Window Screens Price

Marvin screens range in price from $50 to $200, depending on the size and material. This company offers a wide range of screen options, including retractable screens and fixed screens with aluminum and fiberglass mesh. Marvin screens are also available in various colors, such as charcoal and bronze.

Window Screen Installation Cost

Screens can come readily assembled, meaning that they are in a frame, stretched, and ready to be placed in a window. If this is the case, all that must be done is fitting the screen and locking it in. The entire process takes just a few minutes per screen.

However, many screens are custom-made to fit your windows. In this case, your window is measured, and the frame pieces are cut to fit. The frame is assembled, and the mesh is stretched between the frame’s pieces with a tool that presses it tightly into place, stretching it. Then, the screen is fit into your window. This process takes longer than the pre-assembled variety.

If your frame is in good shape, you could have new mesh stretched to fit the old frame. The process is the same as a custom screen without measuring, cutting, and assembling the frame.

Labor costs vary depending on the screen type. For a standard screen, labor is roughly $15 to $60 per screen. Meanwhile, labor for measuring, making, and fitting a custom screen is closer to $50 to $250 per screen. Your screen’s size also affects the installation costs because bigger screens typically take more effort and time.

Window Screen Replacement Cost

You may already have window screens but want to have them replaced. This can happen for various reasons. Perhaps you want to upgrade your current screens to stronger and better alternatives, such a switching from fiberglass to stainless steel, or maybe your old screens are worn out. Either way, you pay around $30 to $300 for this per window because the old screen must be removed and disposed of before the new one can be fitted. The price is influenced by the window’s size, screen type, and whether any custom screen work is needed.

Cost to Rescreen Windows

Although most screen materials are pretty durable, they can still tear, get punctured or sag with age. So rather than replacing both the frame and screen of your window, rescreening is an alternative — and economical — option. Rescreening replaces the screens within the existing frames and is a good option if your frames are still in good condition or you have a unique window shape or size that isn’t generally found at your local home supply store.

If you’re interested in rescreening a window using an existing frame, it’s recommended to hire a professional. Large or unique windows can be difficult to rescreen and professionals are often better prepared to stretch the screen material to fit the frame without pulling it too loose causing the screen to droop, or pulling it too tight and buckling the frame.

Window rescreening is typically done with aluminum or fiberglass materials because they are the easiest to stretch into the desired shape and size. It’s a more affordable process than replacement and on average, costs between $65 and $150 for service. If you have multiple windows that need rescreening, it’s generally more cost effective to have them done all at once, with a price range of $20 to $30 per window.

Pros and Cons of Window Screens

Window screens provide many benefits. They keep out bugs and some larger pieces of debris while allowing fresh air in. They can also be a deterrent for pets that may otherwise attempt to escape through an open window.

However, window screens are not a secure option. With the window open, a screen is easily kicked in or removed to enter your home. Screens are also easy to damage. For example, a kitten’s claws or a tumbling child can tear or ruin a screen. They may bend or crack over time, depending on the framing material. They also darken or slightly obscure your view.

Window Screen Repair Cost

Screens are not very durable, and many show wear like breaks, snags, and sagging. Sometimes, you can repair the screen instead of replacing it. Purchase repair kits for around $10 to put a new piece of mesh over a small hole. While this is not the most attractive method, it can make your screen last longer. You may be able to reattach the screen if it is coming out of the frame with a roller tool that costs around $15.

A screen that has been damaged once may become damaged again easily. Patching multiple holes can make the screen look unattractive. Repairs are a good method if you have a single screen with one small issue. But once you notice multiple problems, a replacement is usually the best and longest-lasting choice.

Solar Screens vs Window Tint

If your home is located in a sunny area, UV rays could heat the interior and fade your belongings. Besides curtains, you can deal with this in two ways - using solar screens or tinting your windows.

Solar screens are dark-colored mesh screens. They can be strictly solar or also pet or security screens. They are dark and can slightly obscure your view, but you can remove them when no longer needed. Having a solar screen installed costs around $15 to $60 for a standard screen or between $50 and $250 for custom screens.

Window tinting involves putting a dark film over your windows to reflect the light. Like a solar screen, it darkens and partially obscures your view. However, unlike a solar screen, it is very difficult and expensive to remove the film. So, you may feel obligated to keep it if you do not like the effect. Window tinting costs around $7 a square foot, with the average window requiring 5 square feet, making it about $35 a window.

How to Clean Window Screens

Window screens must be cleaned periodically to keep them looking pleasant, functioning properly, and helping extend their lifespan. Clean and maintain your window screens regularly to reduce the risk of them breaking. There are a few different ways to do this. If the screens are not too dirty, you can leave them in place and gently go over them with a vacuum cleaner, lint roller, or brush. This can be a useful way of cleaning surface dust and dirt.

However, if your screens are in an unclean state, you may need to remove them from their frames and clean them with warm, soapy water. This is usually the best way of getting rid of tough stains and grime, but try not to press too hard on your screen with cloths and brushes because too much pressure could cause damage or bend the screen out of place. A pressure washer on low-pressure may be used for screens that are fixed in position and cannot be removed.

Fiberglass vs Aluminum Screen

Fiberglass and aluminum are the most cost effective of the screen material options and both have their benefits and drawbacks. The main advantage of fiberglass screens is its price tag, costing somewhere between $25 and $150. Another benefit of fiberglass is that it won't rust or corrode like other metal materials. However, fiberglass is prone to wear and tear and needs to be repaired or replaced more regularly than the stronger, alternative screen material options such as stainless steel or copper. Therefore, you will have to pay additional costs for rescreening or replacement more regularly.

Aluminum window screens are also a cost effective option, generally costing between $25 and $250, depending on the size and type. The main advantage of aluminum window screens is that they are usually rust- and corrosion-resistant and can last for years, depending on the region you live in. However, they are not as durable as other materials like stainless steel. Additionally, if you live in coastal areas, aluminum is more likely to oxidize meaning a thin layer of film can develop on top of it. If this occurs, you likely will have to rescreen or replace the screen.

Enhancements and Improvement Costs

Screen Doors Cost

As well as windows, screens can also be fitted to doors. You can find entire screen doors that cover the outside of your doors, featuring large screen panels to block insects, dirt, and debris from entering the home while still allowing fresh air and light to pass through. Screen doors come in a wide range of materials, sizes, and styles, with prices ranging from $100 to $1,000+.

Storm Windows

Storm windows are another option to enhance and strengthen your windows. They help protect against storms and dangerous weather conditions, insulate the home, and reduce energy costs. They come in various materials and styles, with some featuring unique coatings for extra protection against exterior noise or UV light. Homeowners spend an average of $2,000 to $5,000 on storm window installation.