Highlights
The average cost to repair a porch, sunroom, or patio is between $810–$5,200.
The type of room and the materials have a big impact on what you pay.
The average cost to hire a pro for this job is $110 for the first 38 square feet, then $2–$3 for each additional square foot.
From spring breakfasts to summer happy hours, your porch or sunroom is a favorite gathering spot year-round. Buteven the best screens won’t last forever.
When your porch, sunroom, or patio screens rip or tear, you can expect to pay between $810 and $5,200 to repair them.The average price most people pay is about $2,900. The lower price is for minor repairs, and the higher price is for more significant fixes. The final price depends on factors like square footage, the extent of the damage, and the quality of the replacement screen.
How Much Does It Cost to Rescreen a Porch or Sunroom Per Square Foot?
Whether you use your porch or sunroom as a play area for the kids or a quiet nook for the adults, if a screen rips, you probably want it fixed ASAP.
There are several types of screen material for patio repairs and replacement. Each comes in at a different price point. If you live in an area with heavy rainfall and gusty winds, you’ll want the fabric to be weighty enough that it won’t sag or bulge.
These are the prices for the most common types of patio and sunroom screens (per square foot):
Fiberglass: $0.25-$0.50
Aluminum: $0.35-$0.70
Stainless Steel: $1-$1.25
Copper: $1-$1.50
Brass: $1.50-$2.50
More affordable screens tend to rip and tear more easily than metal screens. Labor comes in at about $110 for the first 38 square feet, then $2 to $3 for each additional square foot. Do-it-yourself and labor won’t cost a thing other than your time.
How Much Does It Cost to Rescreen a Porch or Sunroom Near You?
Even high-quality screens break, tear or rip, and get holes—sometimes caused by an overexcited pet or probing tiny fingers. The total cost you pay will depend on several factors, including where in the country you live.
The national average for porch screen replacement is $2,900, but you can pay anywhere between $810 to $5,200. At the low-end, the price can be less than $800, and at the high-end, you might pay as much as $14,500.
What will it cost in your area?
Tampa, FL: $430–$1,200
San Diego: $2,200–$11,100
Chicago, IL: $800–$2,800
New York, NY: $960–$5,000
San Antonio: $1,800–$21,100
Atlanta: $1,100–$23,000
The average labor cost if you hire a sunroom or patio contractor near you is $110 for the first 38 square feet, then $2 to $3 for each additional square foot. Labor to replace glass windows in a sunroom or porch is about $500 for basic inserts. But if your repairs are pretty significant, you might pay as much as $2,000 in labor alone.
How Much Does It Cost to Rescreen a Porch or Sunroom Yourself?
Before you’re knee-deep into rescreening your porch or sunroom, you might want to make sure you have the time and patience needed to get the job done right.
"Replacing a screen is tedious, but with the right tools and help, it is usually a good DIY,” says Andy Kilborn, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Andy’s Handyman. “If you're considering it, try replacing one small screen area to start. If that goes well, proceed with the rest. If it has more complexity than you expected, consult a professional."
A typical 8-by-10-foot DIY kit sells for about $250 to $300 and has everything you need to screen an 8-by-10-foot porch. Most kits include a roll of screen, one spline tool, and spline (a vinyl cording that fixes the screening material into the frame).
You’ll also want a straight-edge knife, ruler, scissors, tape, and cleaning supplies on hand. Kits come in various sizes and can save you the cost of buying each of these items separately. Make sure to match the existing spline or your installation won’t go well.
To be sure the screen is stretched tight enough to prevent sagging, you might want to ask for help. In this instance, four hands are usually better than two. But, by doing it yourself, you are saving up to $2,000 on labor alone. However, hiring a pro can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure your screen is done right.
Rescreening a Porch or Sunroom Cost Breakdown
A lot goes into rescreening your porch or sunroom—including money. But you will most likely spend a lot of time on your patio, from game nights to binging your favorite show, so it can be a great investment.
The cost breakdown for rescreening your patio or sunroom includes:
Labor
Labor costs make up the most significant part of rescreening your porch or sunroom. If you have a pro do the job, they may charge you a flat fee, by the hour, or per square foot.
A flat fee can range from about $100 - $300
The average per hour rate for a patio contractor is $70.
You can be charged about $110 for the first 38 square feet, then $2 - $3 for each additional square foot for the cost to rescreen a porch or sunroom
Materials
Materials range widely in price. Fiberglass is the least expensive, and metal, like stainless steel, is the most costly. Child and pet-proof screening is also more expensive than fiberglass or aluminum at about $270 for a 96-inch-by-50-foot roll. A smaller roll of stainless steel screening (60-inch-by-50-foot roll) is $320.
Extras
There are other materials you’ll need if you choose to replace your screens yourself. You may also decide to purchase a DIY screen kit, which can cost around $250, but it includes everything you need to finish the project, except a few tools like tape, a ruler, and a straight-edge knife.
How Much Does It Cost to Rescreen a Porch or Sunroom by Type of Material?
Rescreening your porch or sunroom doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Some screening materials, like copper, are more expensive than fiberglass or aluminum.
By type of material, here are the costs to rescreen your 10-by-10 porch, not including labor or other materials.
Fiberglass Screen
Fiberglass screen is the most common choice for porches because it’s less expensive than aluminum or steel screens. It’s also easier to install than some other types of screens because it doesn’t crease as easily and is flexible. A 10-by-10 porch rescreened with fiberglass at $0.50 per square foot is about $50, plus labor and other materials.
Aluminum
Aluminum screening is durable and long-lasting with excellent outward visibility. It also looks good. But over the years, aluminum can oxidize and develop a powdery coating which might limit visibility. A 10-by-10 porch rescreened with aluminum at $0.70 per square foot is about $70, plus labor and other materials.
Copper or Brass
In years past, many home porches were screened with copper screening. Today, to keep to historic standards, homeowners of these classic homes may choose to use copper or bronze to retain their home’s historic charm. If you were to rescreen a 10-by-10 porch with copper screening, you will pay about $150, plus labor and other materials.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel screening is strong and durable. It’s also resistant to corrosion and ages well. Stainless steel is more expensive than some other types of screening material, but it’s easy to find and does not bulge or sag as easily as fiberglass. A 10-by-10 porch rescreened with stainless steel will cost about $125, plus labor and other materials.
Pet Resistant Screen
FYI—if you have a dog or cat (or small kids), you might consider paying extra for a pet-resistant screen. It just might save you a few headaches down the road. Made of vinyl-coated polyester, a pet-resistant screen is seven times stronger than regular screening. For a 96-inch-by-50-foot roll, you’ll pay about $270.
What Factors Influence the Cost to Rescreen a Porch or Sunroom?
There are many different factors that play a part in the cost to screen a sunroom or porch. If you’re handy around the house or can butter up a family member to offer a little help, you might save a few dollars. On the other hand, hiring a pro might save you time.
Size of Your Porch, Patio, or Sunroom
The biggest factor in figuring out what you’ll pay to rescreen your porch or sunroom is the size of your room. You’ll want to figure about $4.50 per square foot price for materials and $110 for the first 38 square feet, then $2 to $3 for each additional square foot for labor.
Contractor Labor
Some contractors charge a flat fee to rescreen your porch or sunroom. Their fee depends on the size of the job. But most contractors charge either an hourly rate or break it down by square footage. The average cost to install a porch screen by a handyperson is $70 per hour. That includes labor and materials.
DIY Costs
If you choose to replace your porch screens yourself, you’ll save a bunch in labor costs. Buying a kit is less expensive than buying everything you need for the job separately.
Material Cost
The most expensive part of rescreening your patio, porch, or sunroom is the cost of labor. The screen material is inexpensive, but costs can add up if you decide to upgrade screen material, like a pet-resistant screen or stainless steel.
FAQs About Rescreening a Porch, Patio, or Sunroom
Should I hire a professional?
If you’re not an experienced DIYer, you might consider hiring a patio repair contractor near you to rescreen your porch or sunroom. That’s because, unless you’re only repairing a small rip or hole, it's not an easy job.
Are there screens that reduce glare from the sun?
Yes. There are a variety of screen materials that cut out glare from the sun. Solar screen material blocks both glare and heat from the sun, which saves on cooling costs. It also offers privacy yet unlimited outward visibility.
How long will it take to rescreen my porch?
Rescreening your porch can take a few hours or a whole day, depending on the size of the enclosure and the amount of screen that needs replacing.
Which screening material should I choose?
The screen material you choose depends on your needs.
Fiberglass is the least expensive but may need replacing more often.
Aluminum is suitable for almost any job and doesn’t stretch as easily as fiberglass.
Pet resistant screen is more expensive than either fiberglass or aluminum but is also wind, weather, and pet resistant.
Metal screen, like stainless steel, is the most expensive material to rescreen your porch or sunroom. However, it lasts for years and is golf ball resistant.
