Screened porches and sunrooms take a beating from pets, kids, weather, and time. Most repairs are simple. The contractor's job is to fix what you can see and catch what you can't.
What porch and sunroom screen repair covers
- Torn, punctured, or sagging screen
- Screen pulling out of its channel, or spline that has dried out
- Removable screen panels with bent or broken frames
- Screens in sunroom windows and sliding panels
- Kick plates and lower panels damaged by pets or furniture
- Porch screen doors that drag or won't latch
Repair a panel or rescreen the whole porch?
If one or two panels are damaged and the rest are in good shape, panel repairs make sense. If the screen throughout is brittle, faded, or loose, a full rescreen usually gives a better, more even result. New screen next to old can look different in color and tension, which is worth knowing before you choose.
The framing matters here too
Porches and sunrooms may be framed in aluminum, wood, or a combination. Before new screen goes on, the contractor checks aluminum for straightness and sound fasteners and checks wood for rot or soft spots. Replacing rotted wood can run $9 to $28 per square foot (September 2026), which is one reason the framing gets looked at first.
Choosing replacement screen
Standard 18×14 screen keeps the view and the breeze. 20×20 no-see-um screen stops tiny biting midges near coastal marshes. Pet screen and tuff screen hold up on the lower panels. Solar shade screen cuts heat and glare on a sunroom or porch that faces the afternoon sun.
What it can cost
Reports give an average of $400 to $800 to rescreen a porch, or $2 to $4 per square foot. Minor repairs are often billed at $50 to $80 an hour, and many companies charge a minimum service call of $125 to $300 (June 2023). Your contractor's written proposal sets the actual price, and grouping several small repairs into one visit can make that minimum go further.
Permits
Screen repair and rescreening on an existing porch or sunroom are exempt from permits in most cases. Structural changes, such as replacing framing or converting a screened porch into an enclosed room, typically need one, and your contractor handles it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth calling a contractor for one torn panel?
It can be, especially if the panel is high, part of a larger enclosure, or the framing looks worn. Because many companies have a minimum service charge, it often makes sense to handle several small repairs in one visit.
Do sunroom screen repairs need a permit?
Typically not. Repairs and rescreening are usually exempt. Structural work is what triggers a permit.
What if the wood framing is soft?
The contractor checks the framing and tells you what needs to be repaired or replaced, and how, before any rescreening.
How long does a porch rescreen take?
Typical estimates are four to eight hours for a two person crew on a typical porch. Larger or more detailed spaces take longer, and your contractor confirms timing.
Related pages
Sources reviewed
Cost figures on this page were reviewed in October 2026.
- HomeGuide, Cost to Rescreen a Porch or Patio Enclosure, dated June 28, 2023
- Angi, Pool Screen Enclosure Repair Cost, September 28, 2026