Repair or Replace Your Window Screen? A Simple Guide

A broken window screen doesn't always mean you need a new one. Most of the time, the fix depends on one thing: the shape of the frame.

Here's how to tell what your screen needs.

Re-screen: new mesh, same frame

Rebuild: new frame, new mesh

Custom: brand-new screen for a window that has none

Step 1: Look at the frame

Take the screen out and set it on a flat surface, like a table or the floor.

• Does it lie flat?
• Are the four sides straight?
• Are the corners tight and not cracked?

If the answer is yes to all three, your frame is in good shape. You probably just need new mesh.

If the frame is bent, twisted, or the corners are cracked or loose, the frame needs to be replaced.

Step 2: Look at the mesh

Mesh is the screen material itself. Look for:

• Holes or tears
• Sagging or loose spots
• Mesh pulling out at the edges
• Old mesh that's faded, stiff or crumbles when you press on it

Any of these means it's time for new mesh.

Your three options

Re-screen: new mesh, same frame

This is for screens with a good frame and bad mesh. We take out the old mesh and the spline (the rubber cord that holds it in), then put in new mesh and new spline so it's tight and clear.

It's the most common fix, and usually the cheapest. Our re-screens typically run $45 to $85 per window screen, depending on size.

Rebuild: new frame and new mesh

This is for screens with a bent or broken frame. We fabricate a new frame to the same size, then fit it with new mesh.

Our rebuilds typically run $75 to $115 per window screen, depending on size.

Custom: a brand-new screen

This is for windows that have no screen at all, or odd-size windows where the old screen is long gone. We build a new screen to your window's measurements.

Custom screens get a free quote, and we'll come measure for free.

What about patch kits?

For one tiny hole, a patch kit from the hardware store can work fine for a while. But patches show, and they don't fix mesh that's old and brittle. If the mesh has more than a small hole or two, new mesh is the better fix.

Quick answer

Not sure? Send a photo.

You don't have to figure this out alone. Text a photo of your screen to (406) 250-1681 and we'll tell you what it needs and what it will cost. We'll always confirm your price before any work starts.