Window Screen Repair & Replacement in Calgary: What It Costs and What to Expect

Repair vs. re-screen vs. replace frame

The right approach depends on the damage type:

How window screen re-screening works

Re-screening replaces the mesh while keeping the existing frame. The process:

1. Remove the old spline (the rubber cord that holds the mesh in the frame channel) with a flathead screwdriver or spline tool
2. Pull the old mesh out of the frame
3. Cut new mesh slightly oversized — about 5 cm larger than the frame opening on all sides
4. Lay the mesh over the frame and use a spline roller to press new spline into the frame channel, starting at one corner and working around
5. Tension the mesh evenly as you go — too loose and it sags; too tight and it distorts the frame
6. Trim excess mesh flush with the outside of the spline channel

The technique looks simple but tensioning the mesh evenly — particularly on large screens — requires practice. An experienced person re-screens a standard window in about 15 minutes. A first attempt on a large patio door screen can take an hour with multiple restarts.

Mesh types available in Calgary

• Standard fiberglass (18×14 weave) — the most common type. Charcoal colour gives the best outward visibility. Not pet-resistant. About $0.50/sq ft mesh cost.
• Pet-resistant mesh — vinyl-coated polyester in a heavy weave. Resists cat and dog claws far better than fiberglass. About 3× the mesh cost but lasts much longer in pet households.
• Solar or sun control mesh — reduces glare and solar heat gain. Available in 40% to 90% openness reduction levels. Calgary west-facing windows in summer benefit from higher solar blockage. Reduces outward visibility more than standard mesh.
• Stainless steel mesh — maximum strength, suitable for low-floor windows where security or child safety is a concern. Most expensive and heaviest option.
• No-see-um mesh (20×20 weave) — finer weave for mosquito and gnat exclusion. Less common in Calgary where mosquitoes are less severe than in other parts of Alberta, but useful near river pathways and pond communities.

After a Calgary hailstorm

After any significant hail event, walk the perimeter of your home and check all screens on the south and west sides first — Alberta hailstorms predominantly track from the southwest. Photograph the damage before removing screens; this documentation is useful for home insurance claims if you also have other hail damage (siding, downspouts, gutters) to report.

Batching multiple screen repairs or replacements in a single post-hail visit is the most cost-effective approach — the fixed travel cost is the same whether you repair one screen or ten.

Window screen pricing in Calgary