Whether you should repair or replace your window screens depends on the severity of the damage and the screen’s age. For large tears or holes or multiple points of damage, replacing your screen may be more cost-effective than attempting to repair the damage. If your screens are more than 10 years old, they may continue to give you issues after repair, so it’s likely worth replacing them. We recommend hiring a local screen repair technician, as they will have tools on hand for a repair or replacement and can recommend the best course of action. 

It’s possible to make minor screen repairs yourself using a waterproof adhesive for small tears or a screen patch kit for larger tears and holes. However, it’s usually a better option to call in a professional window technician. It’s very easy to use too much waterproof glue, resulting in a messy appearance that might demand a full replacement anyway. A screen repair technician will not only be able to carry out clean repairs and patches that aren’t obvious, but they can also let you know if replacing your screen is a more cost-effective option.

Window screen repair costs around $310 on average, ranging from $100 to $480, depending on material, the type of window screen, the window size, the accessibility of the window, and whether you need to replace the window screen frame. You can save money on window screen repair costs by using a more affordable material like vinyl or fiberglass, rescreening instead of replacing them, and swapping multiple screens at once to combine labor costs.

Screen repair is always worthwhile, as tears and holes in your windows and door screens are unsightly and allow pests and debris into your home, rendering the screen useless. The faster you repair your screens, the faster you can open your windows and doors freely to let the fresh air in. Consider repairing multiple door and window screens during one appointment with a screen repair technician to make the investment and labor costs worth it.

Some hardware or specialty window stores in your area may repair damaged screens, but it’s less time-consuming, more convenient, and potentially more affordable to hire a screen repair technician to come to your home to do the work on-site. The screen technician will have the tools and experience to get the work done the same day, and they can inspect other screens while there to help avoid repeat repair costs in the future.