Window Screen Repair: Repair or Replace?
Written by Blue Ribbon Window Cleaning · Last updated May 14, 2026
If the frame is straight and corners are tight, a fresh mesh (rescreen) is the cheaper fix. If the frame is bent, sun-cracked, or the corners pop apart, the whole screen should be rebuilt.
Quick way to tell which you need
- Frame is straight, corners tight, mesh torn → rescreen.
- Frame bent or twisted → rebuild.
- Corners pull apart by hand → rebuild.
- Mesh is gray/brittle but frame is fine → rescreen.
- Pet pushed through the mesh repeatedly → consider pet-resistant mesh on rebuild.
What rescreening involves
Rescreening reuses your existing frame. We pull the old spline and mesh, stretch new mesh across, and roll a fresh spline in to lock it. It's fast and inexpensive, and the screen looks like new from the outside.
When a full rebuild is the better call
Sun-baked aluminum frames eventually warp. Once a frame is warped, the new mesh won't sit flat and the screen won't seat right in the window. In that case rebuilding the frame is the right move and usually still very affordable per screen.
Related services
Service areas mentioned
Frequently asked questions
› Can you do screen work the same day as window cleaning?
Yes — for common sizes we carry mesh and frame stock and can do it on the spot.
› Do you offer pet-resistant or solar mesh?
Yes. Pet mesh and solar (sun-shading) mesh are both available — ask for it in your quote.
› How long do new screens last?
With annual cleaning, a quality rescreen typically lasts 8–10+ years in our climate before sun damage shows.
Family-owned in Murrieta. Licensed & insured. Most quotes returned the same day.