A torn screen is one of the few home repairs where DIY genuinely makes sense — sometimes. Knowing where the line is saves money and frustration.
When DIY wins
A single small tear in a standard fibreglass screen with a sound frame is a perfect DIY job. A roll of mesh, a spline and a spline roller cost under $30, and a 15-minute YouTube walkthrough is all the training you need. Patch kits work for pinhole punctures you want to stop before they spread.
When to call a pro
Call a professional when: the frame is bent or corroded; you're re-screening more than two or three windows (the time and tool cost stop paying off); you need a custom-cut or out-of-square frame; or you're upgrading to pet, no-see-um or ember-resistant mesh that needs a tighter, more durable installation.
The hidden cost of DIY
A loose spline, over-tensioned mesh or a frame forced back into a warped track will sag, gap or pop out within a season — and you'll redo it. Professional re-screening includes a guaranteed fit, durable spline work and the right mesh for your pests, so the screen lasts years, not months.
The practical split
Patch the odd tear yourself; let us handle whole-home refreshes, patio doors, custom frames and specialty mesh. Book a measurement and we'll quote both.