How Much Does It Cost to Install Window Screens? Pricing Guide

Posted on February 25th, 2026, by RiteScreen Experts, 5 min read

How Much Does It Cost to Install Window Screens?

Window screen installation costs vary widely depending on whether you hire a professional or tackle the project yourself, with prices ranging from $25-50 per screen for DIY installation to $75-200+ per screen for professional service. The cost to install window screens breaks down into two main components: the screen itself ($25-150 depending on size and mesh type) and labor ($30-80 per screen if hiring professionals). Most homeowners completing DIY installation spend $500-800 for a whole house with 15-20 windows, while professional installation of the same screens runs $1,200-2,500.

This guide breaks down exactly what you'll pay for window screen installation\, covering DIY versus professional costs, price differences by window type and mesh material, factors that increase installation expenses, and realistic cost expectations for common scenarios. Whether you're replacing a single damaged screen or outfitting an entire home, you'll understand what to budget.

Key Takeaways

DIY window screen installation typically costs $25–50 per screen total installed
Professional installation averages $75–200+ per window screen installed
Mesh type, window size, and access are the biggest drivers of cost overall
Whole-house installs run $500–800 DIY or $1,200–2,500 professionally installed
DIY saves 40–60% but pros help with ladders, access, and fit errors corrections

Average Window Screen Costs by Type

Different window screen types have different price points. Here are some expectations you might have when it comes to the price of replacing your screens.

Standard Replacement Screens

For typical double-hung windows with standard fiberglass mesh, replacement screens cost $25-50 per window when ordering custom-sized screens online or from screen manufacturers. This includes the complete screen frame, mesh, spline, and hardware like tabs or clips—everything needed for installation.

Large windows (over 40" in any dimension) cost $50-75 per screen, while small windows under 24"x24" often fall at the lower end of the range, around $20-35 each.

Sliding and Patio Door Screens

Sliding window screens for standard-sized windows cost similar to double-hung screens—$30-60 per screen. However, sliding glass door screens and patio door screens are significantly more expensive due to their size, typically running $75-150 per door depending on dimensions and mesh choice.

Casement and Awning Screens

Casement and awning screens tend to cost slightly more than double-hung screens due to their clip-mounting systems and manufacturer-specific sizing requirements. Expect $40-75 per screen for standard sizes with basic fiberglass mesh.

Premium Mesh Upgrades

Choosing specialty mesh instead of standard fiberglass increases costs:

PetScreen (heavy-duty mesh for pet owners): adds $15-30 per screen compared to standard fiberglass. A screen that would cost $35 with regular mesh jumps to $50-65 with PetScreen.

AllergyGuard (ultra-fine mesh that blocks 99% of pollen): typically adds $25-40 per screen due to the specialized manufacturing process and premium materials.

BetterVue or UltraVue (enhanced visibility mesh): adds $30-50 per screen, reflecting the advanced technology in these premium mesh products.

Solar or sun-blocking screens: cost $40-70 more per screen than standard mesh, with total costs often reaching $100-150 per window for larger sizes.

Professional Installation Costs

While it might cost a little more to have your new window screens professionally installed, it can save you a lot of time and can help to avoid problems down the line.

Labor Rates

Professional window screen installation labor costs typically run $30-80 per screen depending on your location, window accessibility, and the company you hire. Urban areas with higher living costs see rates at the upper end, while rural areas often fall at the lower end.

Many companies charge minimum service fees ($100-200) even for single-screen installations, making professional installation most cost-effective when replacing multiple screens at once.

Total Professional Installation Costs

When hiring professionals who provide both screens and installation, total costs run:

Single screen: $75-150 (includes screen + labor + minimum service fee)
5-10 screens: $500-1,000 ($50-100 per screen average)
Whole house (15-20 screens): $1,200-2,500 ($60-125 per screen average)
Large project (30+ screens): $2,000-4,000+ ($65-135 per screen average)

Premium mesh selections add to these costs as described earlier—expect to add $15-50 per screen for specialty mesh even with professional installation.

Additional Professional Service Fees

Some situations trigger additional charges:

Second-story or higher windows may cost $10-25 more per screen due to ladder work and time requirements.

Difficult access windows (above garage doors, over roof extensions, behind landscaping) can add $15-40 per screen.

Rush service for quick turnaround typically adds 25-50% to total costs.

Removal and disposal of old screens might cost $5-15 per screen if you want professionals to haul them away.

Screen repair (if applicable) typically costs $15-40 per screen versus full replacement.

Factors That Affect Installation Costs

The size of your windows, where you are located, and how many screens you might need can all be factors in how much your overall installation will cost.

Window Type and Size

Standard double-hung windows fall at the lower end of the cost spectrum because they're common and straightforward. Casement and awning windows cost more due to clip systems and manufacturer-specific requirements. Specialty windows (bay, bow, arched) require custom fabrication that significantly increases costs—sometimes 50-100% more than standard rectangular screens.

Large windows naturally cost more due to additional materials. A 60"x72" picture window screen might cost $100-180 compared to $35-60 for a standard 30"x48" double-hung screen.

Geographic Location

Labor costs vary dramatically by region. Installing 15 screens might cost $800-1,200 in rural areas but $1,500-2,500 in major metropolitan markets. Material costs remain relatively consistent nationwide, but labor reflects local cost of living.

Screen Quantity

Per-screen costs decrease with quantity due to volume discounts on materials and labor efficiency. The first screen might effectively cost $100-150 with minimum service fees, but screen #20 might average just $50-75 as fixed costs spread across more units.

Frame Material and Color

Standard aluminum frames in white or mill finish cost the least. Colored frames (bronze, black, custom colors) add $5-15 per screen. Vinyl frames cost similarly to aluminum. Wood or composite frames for specialty applications can double or triple screen costs.

Custom vs. Standard Sizes

Custom-sized screens cost the same as "standard" sizes from reputable manufacturers—everything is cut to order anyway. However, extremely unusual dimensions (very large, very small, or odd shapes) may trigger custom fabrication fees of $25-75 per screen on top of base costs.

Is Professional Installation Worth the Cost?

For the most part, professional window screen installation is usually more than worth the cost. However, there are some instances where DIY installation can be a better choice. Here’s what to know when you are choosing one over the other.

When DIY Makes Sense

For homeowners comfortable with basic tools and ladder work, DIY installation saves significant money while delivering identical results to professional work. The process is straightforward—if you can use a tape measure and follow simple instructions, you can install window screens successfully.

DIY is especially cost-effective for first-floor windows accessible without ladders, smaller projects (under 10 screens) where professional minimum fees eat into value, and situations where you're not time-constrained and can work at your own pace.

When Professionals Are Worth It

Professional installation makes sense for second-story and higher windows requiring significant ladder work, whole-house projects with 20+ screens where labor savings become less significant than time savings, physically demanding work if you have mobility or balance concerns, and windows in difficult locations (above garages, behind landscaping, complex access).

Professionals also handle measurement errors—if screens don't fit, they absorb the cost and time of corrections rather than you dealing with returns and reorders.

Should You Hire a Professional?

Understanding how much it costs to install window screens helps you budget appropriately and decide between DIY and professional installation based on your specific situation. For most homeowners, DIY installation with pre-made screens offers the best value—professional-quality results at 40-60% cost savings compared to full professional service.

Ready to get started? Browse our selection of replacement window screens available in custom sizes for every window type, or explore our complete window screen collection to compare options and prices. You might also want to check out our guide to window screens to learn more about best practices for installation.