What the job involves
A screen door has a short list of parts, and any of them can fail. The mesh tears or sags, the frame bends at a corner, the closer stops pulling the door shut, the latch no longer catches, or the rollers on a sliding screen wear out and drag in the track.
We begin by working out which part is actually causing the trouble. A door that slams may need a closer adjustment, not a new one. A door that sags may just have a loose corner key.
- Mesh tension, tears, and whether the spline is still holding
- Corner joints and whether the frame is square
- Closer, hinges, latch, and handle
- Rollers and track on sliding screens
Why it matters in Arizona
Ultraviolet exposure breaks down the plastic and fiberglass in standard mesh and the vinyl spline that holds it, so screens crack and pull out of the groove. Heat also makes aluminum frames expand and contract daily, which works corner joints loose over time.
Dust packs into the tracks of sliding screens and wears out rollers. In monsoon season, gusts can lift a loose door off its track or slam it against the frame. Flying insects, including the ones that come out after rain, are the reason most people want the screen working at all.
How a visit goes
We look the door over and tell you what we found. Re-screening is a straightforward fix when the frame is straight: we remove the old mesh and spline, pull the new mesh tight across the frame, and roll in new spline. Mesh choices include standard fiberglass, heavier pet-resistant types, and finer mesh that blocks more sun.
For hardware, we replace the closer, latch, handle, or rollers, and adjust the door so it hangs square. On a sliding screen we clean the track, replace worn rollers, and set the height so it glides. We test the door several times before finishing.
What affects the cost
Re-screening a standard door is a small job. Costs rise when the frame is bent and needs straightening or replacing, when parts are hard to find for older or unusual doors, or when you have several doors to do.
Sometimes it is cheaper to replace the whole door than repair an aging one with several worn parts. We will tell you honestly which makes more sense, and the estimate is free with an upfront price.
When it needs a specialist
If the screen is part of a security door with a locking mechanism that has failed, we can often fix it, but a damaged steel security frame may be better replaced. Custom retractable screens and motorized systems usually need the original manufacturer or a specialty dealer. If the main door behind the screen is the real problem, we will say that too.
“We've had Nathan do several projects for us: installing a ceiling fan, changing out a vanity with a single sink to a dual, and changing a window into a sliding door and all of them were done very professionally with amazing attention to detail. I highly...”