Window Screen Repair and Replacement in the Capital Region
Screens are the small job everybody puts off, usually until the first warm evening when you want the windows open and remember that half of them are torn. They are also the least expensive thing on this site and one of the fastest to turn around.
Window screen replacement runs $35 to $120 per screen depending on size and mesh type. Rescreening an existing frame is the cheapest option. New custom frames cost more but are the right call when the frame is bent, corroded, or the spline channel has split.
There are two versions of this work. Rescreening keeps your existing frame and puts new mesh in it, which is the right answer when the aluminum frame is still straight and the spline channel is intact. New frames are built to your opening when the old frame is bent, corroded, or has been repaired one too many times.
Mesh choice matters more than people expect. Standard fiberglass is fine for most openings. Pet-resistant mesh is dramatically tougher if you have a cat that treats screens as a suggestion. Solar screen mesh blocks a significant share of incoming heat on west-facing windows, which is worth considering on the hot side of the house.
When to rescreen and when to replace the frame
- Tears, holes or pet damage in otherwise sound mesh, rescreen it
- Mesh sagging or bulging out of the frame, rescreen with proper tension
- Frame bent, twisted or no longer sitting flat in the opening, replace it
- Corner keys broken so the frame racks out of square, replace it
- Spline channel split or spread open, replace it
- Screens missing entirely, build new to the opening
- Old grey aluminum mesh that has oxidized and stains the siding, rescreen
Screen pricing
Screens are priced per unit and almost every job is a batch, which brings the per-screen cost down.
| Service | Typical cost each | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rescreen standard fiberglass | $35 to $60 | Existing frame reused |
| Rescreen pet-resistant mesh | $55 to $95 | Worth it with cats or dogs |
| Rescreen solar mesh | $60 to $110 | Best on west and south exposures |
| New custom aluminum frame | $70 to $120 | Built to your exact opening |
| Sliding patio door screen | $120 to $260 | Includes rollers and track cleanup |
| Retractable entry door screen | $350 to $700 | Installed, various widths |
Solar screens on the west side of the house
This is an underused option in the Capital Region. Solar screen mesh is a tighter, darker weave that blocks a substantial portion of solar heat before it reaches the glass, and it is meaningfully cheaper than replacing windows to solve an overheating problem. On a west-facing living room that becomes unusable from four o'clock on in July, a set of solar screens often does more for comfort than anything else at that price point. The trade-off is slightly reduced visibility and a darker appearance from outside, which is why we generally suggest them only on the elevations where the heat is actually a problem.
Ranges reflect typical Capital Region projects and are for planning only. Every Sundog quote is written, itemized, and free.
How the project runs
- 1
Assess frames on site
We check each frame for square, corner integrity, and spline channel condition, and tell you which can be rescreened.
- 2
Pick the mesh
Standard fiberglass, pet resistant, solar, or no-see-um mesh depending on the opening and what you are dealing with.
- 3
Rescreen or rebuild
Old spline and mesh out, frame cleaned, new mesh rolled in under even tension, spline seated, excess trimmed.
- 4
Fit and install
Every screen is fitted to its own opening. Screens are not interchangeable even when they look identical.
Screen options
- Standard fiberglass mesh, the default for most openings
- Pet-resistant mesh, roughly seven times stronger than standard
- Solar screen mesh, blocks a large share of solar heat on west windows
- No-see-um fine mesh, for tighter insect control
- Aluminum mesh, more durable but can dent and oxidize
- Custom aluminum frames in white, bronze, almond or mill finish
- Half screens and full screens for double hungs
- Sliding patio door screens and rollers
- Retractable screen systems for entry doors
Where we do this work
We handle window screen repair and replacement across Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties from our Troy office. These are the markets we are in most often.
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 higher, $55 to $110. If the frame itself needs replacing, budget $70 to $120 per screen for a new custom aluminum frame.
Is pet-resistant screen mesh worth the extra cost?
If you have a cat or a dog that pushes at screens, yes, easily. It is a heavier vinyl-coated polyester weave, roughly seven times stronger than standard fiberglass, and it resists claws and pushing. The upcharge is around twenty to thirty-five dollars per screen and it usually pays for itself the first time you do not have to rescreen.
Can you make screens for old windows that never had them?
Yes. We build custom aluminum frames to whatever the opening measures, including irregular and historic openings. For older wood windows we can build screens that sit in the existing blind stop or attach with turn buttons rather than requiring a modern track.
Why do my screens keep falling out?
Usually the frame has racked out of square, or the spring-loaded tension pins have lost their spring, or the frame was never sized correctly for that opening. Screens are not interchangeable, and a screen that fits three of your windows may simply be slightly small for the fourth. We fit each one to its own opening and label them.
Do solar screens really reduce heat?
Yes, meaningfully. The mesh blocks a large share of solar radiation before it hits the glass, which is more effective than interior blinds because the heat never enters the room. On a west-facing wall in July the difference is noticeable. They are not a substitute for good glass on a cold-weather problem, but for summer overheating they are the cheapest effective fix.
How fast can screens be turned around?
Screen work is usually the fastest thing we do. Rescreening a batch of standard screens is often complete within a few days. New custom frames depend on material availability but typically run one to two weeks. If you are getting other work done, we roll screens into the same visit.
Related services
Worth reading before you decide
Get a written quote for window screen repair and replacement
Free measure, itemized pricing, and an honest recommendation on whether this is the right scope for your house.