A torn mesh, a bent frame or a screen that keeps dropping out all lead to the same question: is this a window screen repair or a replacement, and who do you call? Americans say window screen and people in the UK say fly screen. This guide covers both and uses each name where it fits.
It explains how to tell a repair from a replacement, who does the work, which system suits which opening, the rules to check in each country and what sets the cost. It is about the screen only. If the glass or the window itself has failed, read our guide to window replacement. If you mainly want privacy or a darker room, see choosing and installing blinds.
Window screen repair or replacement: how to tell
The mesh and the frame are separate parts, and one can fail without the other. Look at both before you ask for a price. Rescreening keeps the frame and replaces only the mesh, so it needs a frame that is still sound.
| What you see | Likely fix | Who to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Torn or sagging mesh, straight frame | Rescreen: the frame stays and only the mesh changes. | Screen repair shop, mobile screen service or handyman |
| Small hole, rest of the mesh sound | A patch, or a rescreen if you want an even look. | You, or any of the above |
| Bent frame or open corners | Replace the screen. | Screen shop, mobile service or window company |
| Clips gone, screen will not stay in | Replace the screen, unless the fitter can supply parts that match. | Screen shop or mobile service |
| Sliding screen door sticks or jumps | Check the rollers and track before ordering a new door. | Screen shop or handyman |
If the frame is sound, ask for a price to rescreen it as well as a price to replace it, so you can see both.
Repair kits, tape and patches
A patch or repair tape can close a small tear. To rescreen a frame yourself you need new mesh, new spline (the cord that holds the mesh in the frame’s groove) and a rolling tool. Frames differ, and some are held in by clips, springs or plunger pins, so look at how yours comes out before you buy parts.
Know when to stop. If the frame is bent, new mesh will not fix the fit. If an upper-floor screen only comes out from the outside, do not lean out to reach it. That is the point to call someone.
Safety: what a screen cannot do
A window screen does not stop a child or a pet from falling: the frame is light and can pop out under weight. To prevent falls, use a window guard or a window stop. On a window you rely on as an escape route, the screen must come off quickly from inside, so ask about this before you order. A screen must not cover a boiler or furnace flue or a ventilation opening; if you are unsure, ask the person who services the appliance. On upper floors, the fitter should not lean out without proper safety measures.
Who to call for window screen repair
Four kinds of business do this work, and they overlap. A window and screen repair shop handles mesh, frames and parts. A mobile screen service comes to your home. A handyman may suit a simple rescreen or a door track. A window company is worth asking when you want a made-to-measure system or screens as part of a larger window job.
Some shops take the screen in and others come to you, so ask first. If you bring it in, ask when you can collect it. If they come to you, ask whether they measure on the first visit and whether the repair happens on site. Also ask who will do the fitting and what the warranty covers.
Which screen suits which opening
How a window or door opens decides what will fit. Use this table to start the conversation with a fitter.
| Opening | Systems to ask about | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Sliding or sash window | Framed screen held by clips, springs or pins | A screen that drops out may have worn fixings or a bent frame. |
| Outward-opening casement | Retractable cassette or a frame on the inside | The window swings through the space an outside screen would need. Check that you can still reach the handle. |
| Tilt-and-turn window | Ask what fits your frame | Both opening positions should stay usable, so the fitter should see the window open both ways. |
| Hinged door | Hinged screen door or retractable screen | Check the clearance around the handle and threshold. |
| Sliding patio door | Sliding screen door, retractable or pleated screen | If a screen door is already there, look at its rollers and track first. |
| Bifold door | Pleated door | Ask how the bottom track sits across the threshold. |
| Sun-facing window (US) | Solar screen | It changes the light indoors and the look from outside, so check any HOA rules. |
Posting a job on Hirovo is free. Say which openings you have, what is wrong and your area. People nearby can apply or message you, though there may be few in your area and replies may not come. Hirovo is not a party to the work, and any agreement is between you and the person you choose.
Post a free job →US: screen types, licenses and HOA rules
Beyond the standard framed screen, you can ask about retractable screens that roll away when not in use, solar screens for sun-facing windows and pet-resistant mesh. The mesh itself is a choice too. Fiberglass is soft and flexible, while aluminum is stiffer but can dent or crease. Ask to see a sample of each.
Licensing for a small screen job varies by state, and it may not be the main question on a simple rescreen. For a larger job, ask your state or local licensing office whether a contractor license applies.
HOA rules may cover the exterior look of your home, so read them before you order anything that changes it. If you rent, ask the landlord first and check the lease to see who is responsible for repairs.
UK: fly screen fitting and what to check
Fly screens in the UK come as retractable cassettes, hinged or sliding screens and magnetic frames. A pleated door can suit bifold or patio doors. Tilt-and-turn and outward-opening casements change what fits, so the fitter must see them before you settle on a design.
Ask before anyone drills. Find out what drilling a uPVC frame would do to the window’s guarantee, and ask whether the system can be fixed without drilling.
If you are a leaseholder, check the lease and ask the freeholder or managing agent before work starts. In a listed building or a conservation area, ask the local planning authority before you change the outside look.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service has to be carried out with reasonable care and skill. A written quote that describes the job gives you a clear record of what was agreed.
Window screen replacement cost: what sets the price
A figure from a website cannot price your job, because nobody behind it has seen your frames. The same goes for repairs. These items move the number:
| Item | Why it moves the price | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Repair or new screen | A rescreen reuses the frame. A replacement includes a new one. | Can my frame be kept? |
| Mesh | Fiberglass, aluminum, pet-resistant and solar mesh are different materials. | Which mesh is in this price? |
| System | A cassette, hinged door or pleated door has more parts than a simple frame. | Which system are you pricing, and why this one? |
| Size and number of openings | Each opening adds material and fitting. Unusual sizes may need making to measure. | Is the price per opening or for the whole job? |
| Access | Upper floors need safe access and proper safety measures. | How will you reach this window? |
| Visit and old screens | Coming to your home and taking away old screens may be charged or included. | Are the visit and removal in the quote? |
Measuring and the written quote
Custom-made screens are made to your numbers. If you measure and a number is wrong, the screen may not fit, and you may have to argue over who pays for the next one. Let the fitter measure, and have the quote say so.
Ask for a written quote that names the mesh, the frame, the number of openings and the removal of old screens. It should also say how the warranty treats mesh torn by pets. If you get more than one quote, compare them item by item. A lower total may simply leave something out. Keep the quote, the warranty terms and the invoice together.
Finding someone through Hirovo
Posting a job on Hirovo is free. Describe the openings, the fault, the floor and your area, and people nearby can apply or message you. There may be few people registered where you live and you may get no replies, so use other ways of finding local help too. Hirovo is not an employer, an agent or a party to the work. The agreement and the payment are between you and the person you choose, and the checks in this guide are yours to carry out.
In short
Rescreen when the mesh has failed and the frame is sound. Replace the screen when the frame is bent, the corners are open or the clips are gone. Check rollers and track first on a sliding door. Never rely on a screen to stop a fall. Let the fitter measure, settle any permission with your landlord, HOA, freeholder or planning authority, and get a written quote that names every item.