Screen Repair vs Replacement: When to Rescreen and When to Buy New

You have a torn screen or a door that is not working right, and now you are wondering: should I just get it rescreened, or do I need a whole new screen? It is a question we answer dozens of times a week. The good news is that the decision is usually pretty clear once you know what to look for. Here is how to evaluate your situation.

When Rescreening Is the Right Call

Rescreening means we remove the old mesh and spline from your existing frame, roll in fresh mesh, and trim it clean. The frame stays. This is the right choice when:

• The frame is straight and the corners are solid
• The frame fits snugly in the window or door track
• Only the mesh is damaged (torn, sagging, or faded)
• The spline channel (the groove that holds the mesh) is clean and undamaged

A standard window screen rescreen costs $45, and a new standard window screen is $55. A sliding screen door rescreen costs $95. Both include new mesh, new spline, and labor.

When You Need a New Screen

A full replacement means we build a brand-new frame to your exact measurements and install fresh mesh. This is the better option when:

• The frame is bent or warped. Even a small bend causes the screen to sit unevenly and lets bugs through the gaps.
• Corners are cracked or separating. Once corner joints fail, the frame loses structural integrity and rescreening will not fix it.
• The frame is corroded. Coastal homes often see aluminum oxidation that weakens the frame and makes the spline channel rough and unreliable.
• The screen does not fit the opening. If a previous owner installed the wrong size or the window has been replaced, custom-built frames are the only way to get a proper fit.
• The screen is missing entirely. We custom-build new screens to fit any window or door opening.

The Cost Difference Is Smaller Than You Think

For window screens, the difference between a standard rescreen ($45) and a new standard screen ($55) is just $10. If there is any question about the frame's condition, the extra $10 for a fresh frame is almost always worth it. You get a perfectly straight frame, new corners, new spline channel, and a screen that fits exactly right. For sliding screen doors, the jump from a rescreen ($95) to a new door ($329) is bigger, so frame condition matters more. If the door frame is solid and tracks well, rescreening saves real money.

What About Screen Doors?

The same logic applies to sliding screen doors, swinging screen doors, and retractable screen doors. With sliding and swinging doors, check the frame, rollers, hinges, and latches. If the hardware works and the frame is true, a rescreen gives you a like-new door. If the frame is compromised or the rollers are shot, a new door eliminates all the problems at once.

We evaluate frame condition on every service call and give you an honest recommendation. If a rescreen will do the job, we will say so. If the frame needs replacing, we will explain why. Either way, window screens and sliding doors are handled on-site in a single visit.

Areas we serve: Clairemont, Hillcrest, La Mesa and Chula Vista. See every area we cover