Window screen repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What window screen repair is

Window screen repair replaces torn mesh, bent frames or worn spline in window and door screens, then refits them so insects stay out and air still flows through. People call when a screen has holes, when a frame has bent at the corners, or when a screen pops out of its track.

Signs you need it

  • Tears or holes in the mesh, especially at the corners or where a pet has pushed through
  • A screen frame bent at a corner or sagging in the middle so it no longer seats in the window
  • Spline, the rubber cord that holds the mesh in the frame, that has shrunk, cracked or come loose
  • A screen that rattles, leaves gaps at the edges, or lets insects through around the frame
  • Screens that are rusted, dented or chalky, with mesh that no longer holds its shape

What the pro does

  • Remove the screens from the windows and label each one by location so it goes back in the right opening
  • Take the old spline out of the frame and check the frame for bends, rust or cracked corners
  • Straighten the frame or replace a damaged section or corner key, then clean the channel the spline sits in
  • Stretch new mesh across the frame, taut and square, and press the spline into the channel with a spline roller
  • Trim the excess mesh, check that the screen fits the opening, and reinstall it with a snug fit and no gaps

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of screens and whether they are standard or custom sizes
  • Mesh type, such as fiberglass, aluminum, pet-resistant or solar mesh
  • Frame material and condition, including bent corners or rusted sections
  • Whether the screen is a sliding, hinged or specialty type
  • Whether the screen needs a new frame rather than a repair
  • Pickup and drop-off, or on-site repair at the window
  • Screen doors that need new closers or latches added to the same visit

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each screen listed by location, with its size and frame type
  • Mesh type and color, and whether a pet-resistant or solar mesh is used
  • Spline size and type, and whether the old spline is replaced
  • Frame repair or replacement, with any corner keys named
  • Hardware replaced, such as pull tabs, latches or sliding track rollers
  • Pickup and reinstallation, and whether the screens are checked for fit in each opening

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What mesh do you recommend for a home with a dog or cat that scratches screens?
  • Will you replace the spline and the mesh, or only patch the tear?
  • Can you straighten a bent frame, or does the screen need a new frame?
  • Will the screen fit my opening exactly once it is reinstalled?
  • Do you return the screens to the same windows, and how do you label them?
  • Can you repair the screen on-site, or do you need to take it away?
  • Do you offer a warranty on the mesh and the spline?

Red flags

  • A patch glued over a large tear instead of replacing the mesh
  • Screens that will not seat in the window after repair, with the gap left as is
  • A repair quote with no line for the spline or the mesh type
  • Taking the screens away with no written schedule for return
  • Pressure to replace all screens when only one or two are damaged

What you can do yourself

You can safely repair screens yourself on a table at ground level, using a kit with the right spline size, a spline roller and new mesh, one screen at a time. Do not climb a ladder to remove or refit upper-story screens. Call a pro for upper windows, custom sizes, or any screen that needs a new frame.

Licenses and permits

Window screen repair is commonly done by window, screen or general home service companies, and it does not usually require a special license. Check with your state and local licensing agency to confirm what applies where you live.

Window screen repair questions

Can a torn screen be patched instead of replaced?

Small tears can be patched, but patches show and let bugs through around the edge. A full mesh replacement gives a cleaner fit and lasts longer, especially on a screen that has been stretched.

What is spline and why does it matter?

Spline is the rubber cord that holds the mesh in the frame channel. If it shrinks or cracks, the mesh loosens. Replacing it with the correct size keeps the mesh tight and the screen sealed.

Which mesh is best for pets?

A pet-resistant mesh is made to hold up to scratching better than standard fiberglass. Ask the repair person which mesh suits the animal and the window.

Can a bent screen frame be fixed?

Often yes, if the bend is in a straight section and the metal is not cracked. A corner that has split usually needs a corner key or a new section. The repair person should check each corner before quoting.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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