Standard fiberglass mesh suits most openings at $35 to $60 per screen. Pet-resistant mesh is roughly seven times stronger and worth it with cats or dogs. Solar mesh blocks a large share of solar heat and is the cheapest fix for a west-facing room that overheats.
Screen mesh is a small decision with a few genuinely useful options that most homeowners never hear about, because the default is whatever the rescreening shop has on the roll.
Here is what each type does and where it earns the difference in price.
Mesh types
| Mesh | Cost per screen | Strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard fiberglass | $35 to $60 | Baseline | Most openings, good default |
| Pet resistant | $55 to $95 | About 7x standard | Cats, dogs, high traffic |
| Solar screen | $60 to $110 | Moderate | West and south facing overheating |
| No-see-um, fine mesh | $50 to $85 | Standard | Tighter insect control, lake properties |
| Aluminum | $45 to $80 | High but dents | Durability, traditional appearance |
| Privacy or shade mesh | $60 to $120 | Moderate | Ground floor privacy plus shade |
Solar screens: the underused option
Solar screen mesh is a tighter, darker weave that blocks a substantial portion of solar radiation before it reaches the glass. That is more effective than any interior blind or curtain, because the heat never enters the room at all rather than being absorbed and re-radiated inside. On a west-facing Capital Region living room that becomes unusable from four o'clock on in July, a set of solar screens frequently does more for comfort than any other intervention at that price point, and it is a small fraction of what replacing the windows would cost. The trade-offs are somewhat reduced visibility from inside and a darker appearance from outside, which is why we generally recommend them only on the elevations where overheating is actually a problem rather than across the whole house.
Pet-resistant mesh
This is a vinyl-coated polyester weave, substantially heavier than standard fiberglass and rated at roughly seven times the tensile strength. It resists claws, it resists a dog pushing against it to see out, and it does not tear from a single snag the way standard mesh does. The upcharge is roughly twenty to thirty-five dollars per screen. If you have an animal that interacts with screens at all, it typically pays for itself the first time you do not have to rescreen mid-season. It is also worth considering on any ground floor screen in a household with young children.
When to rescreen and when to replace the frame
- Tears or holes in mesh with a straight, sound frame: rescreen it, $35 to $60.
- Mesh sagging or bulging: rescreen with proper tension, which is a technique issue rather than a materials one.
- Frame bent or twisted so it no longer sits flat: replace the frame, $70 to $120.
- Corner keys broken so the frame racks out of square: replace the frame.
- Spline channel split or spread open: replace the frame, because new spline will not hold.
- Old grey aluminum mesh that has oxidized and is staining the siding below: rescreen with fiberglass.
Ranges reflect typical Capital Region projects and are for planning only. Every Sundog quote is written, itemized, and free.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rescreen a window?
Typically $35 to $60 per screen with standard fiberglass mesh using your existing frame. Pet-resistant and solar mesh run $55 to $110. A new custom aluminum frame, needed when the old one is bent or the spline channel has split, runs $70 to $120.
Is pet-resistant screen worth the extra cost?
If you have a cat or a dog that pushes at or claws screens, yes, easily. It is roughly seven times stronger than standard fiberglass and the upcharge is about twenty to thirty-five dollars per screen. It typically pays for itself the first time it prevents a mid-season rescreen.
Do solar screens really reduce heat?
Yes, meaningfully, because they block solar radiation before it reaches the glass rather than after it has entered the room. On a west-facing wall in July the difference is noticeable. They are the cheapest effective fix for summer overheating, far less than replacing windows to solve the same problem.
What is no-see-um mesh?
A finer weave with smaller openings than standard mesh, designed to block the very small biting insects that pass straight through ordinary screens. It is worth considering near water, which in this region means lake properties around Ballston Lake, Burden Lake, Crystal Lake and Saratoga Lake. The trade is slightly reduced airflow.
Can you rescreen my existing frames or do I need new ones?
If the frame is straight, the corner keys are intact and the spline channel has not split, we rescreen it and keep your frames. If any of those have failed, new spline will not hold tension and the frame needs replacing. We assess each frame on site and tell you which category it is in.
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