Screen Repair or Rescreening: What Factors Determine the Right Choice?

Screen Repair vs. Rescreening: How to Decide What’s Best for Your Home

Screens play an important role in protecting your home from insects, debris, and harsh sunlight while still allowing fresh air to flow. Over time, however, screens can tear, loosen, fade, or weaken — leaving homeowners with a common question:

Should I repair my screens, or is it better to rescreen them completely?

What’s the Difference Between Screen Repair and Rescreening?

Screen repair fixes small, localized damage, such as minor holes or tears. Rescreening replaces the entire screen material, restoring strength, appearance, and performance.

Choosing the right option depends on damage severity, screen material, age, and long-term goals.

When Screen Repair Is the Best Option

Screen repair is usually ideal when damage is minimal and isolated.

Small Holes or Minor Tears

  • Caused by pets, debris, or accidents
  • Easily fixed with screen patches or spot repairs
  • Cost-effective for newer screens

Screens in Good Overall Condition

If the frame is solid and the screen material is still strong, repairing a small area can extend the life of the screenwithout the cost of full replacement.

When Rescreening Is the Better Choice

Rescreening is often recommended when screens show widespread wear or recurring problems.

Large Tears or Multiple Damaged Areas

  • Repairs may weaken surrounding material
  • Damage often spreads over time
  • Full rescreening provides a longer-lasting solution

Aging or Brittle Screens

Older screens can become:

  • Loose
  • Faded
  • Brittle

If screens are near the end of their lifespan, rescreening is more cost-effective than repeated repairs.

Frequent Repairs

If you’re repairing the same screens repeatedly, rescreening can:

  • Save money long-term
  • Improve durability
  • Reduce maintenance

How Screen Material Affects the Decision

Different screen materials respond differently to damage:

Fiberglass Screens

  • Flexible and affordable
  • Easy to repair when damage is small

Aluminum Screens

  • Strong but prone to bending
  • Often better replaced than repaired when damaged

Specialty Screens (Pet-Resistant, Solar, Privacy)

  • Designed for durability and performance
  • Professional assessment recommended
  • Rescreening often preferred for consistent results

Aesthetic & Appearance Considerations

While repairs can restore function, they may not always look seamless.

Choose rescreening if:

  • Appearance matters
  • You want a uniform, like-new finish
  • Screens are highly visible

New screens improve curb appeal and overall appearance.

DIY vs. Professional Screen Services

DIY Screen Repair

  • Suitable for small holes or tears
  • Lower upfront cost

Professional Rescreening

  • Ensures proper tension and fit
  • Ideal for large panels or enclosures
  • Reduces risk of future issues

Professional service is recommended for lanai screens, pool enclosures, and large openings.

Cost Considerations: Repair vs. Rescreening

  • Screen repair: Lower short-term cost
  • Rescreening: Better long-term value for aging or damaged screens

If repairs are frequent, rescreening is often the smarter financial choice.

Future Plans for Your Home

  • Selling soon: Rescreening improves appearance and buyer appeal
  • Staying long-term: Repairs may be sufficient if screens are otherwise in good shape

Common Screen Repair & Rescreening Questions

Is it better to repair or rescreen a screen?

Repair works for small damage, but rescreening is better for older or heavily damaged screens.

How long do window or enclosure screens last?

Most screens last 10–15 years, depending on material and exposure.

Can torn screens be repaired?

Yes, small tears can be repaired, but large or multiple tears usually require rescreening.

Does rescreening improve home value?

Yes. New screens improve appearance, functionality, and buyer confidence.

How do I know when rescreening is needed?

If screens are loose, faded, brittle, or frequently repaired, it’s time to rescreen.

Professional Screen Repair & Rescreening Services

At Lafferty Aluminum & Screening, we provide expert screen repairs and full rescreening services for windows, lanais, patios, and pool enclosures.

Contact us today for an inspection and honest recommendation on whether repair or rescreening is right for your home.

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What our clients are saying

Building trust, one review at the time

Five evenly spaced blue star shapes in a horizontal row.

"Lafferty did an amazing job! We love our new screen. They were very professional and we had our finished screen before expected. We recommend Lafferty to everyone."

Andrea Durango

Valued Customer
Five evenly spaced blue star shapes in a horizontal row.

Lafferty did an excellent job on our unconventional screening project. The office staff was responsive and friendly. From consultation to installation, all of our questions and concerns were addressed.

Roslyn

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"Lafferty did an excellent job installing our pool screens. The are prompt and keep you well informed concerning the job!  I would definitely hire Lafferty Screens again!!"

Gerald Patenaude

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"We are very satisfied with our new fence and work done by Lafferty Aluminum.  Quality, professionalism, and reliability working with Lafferty has been very good and I am happy we chose them."

Tony R

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"Lafferty was one of the easiest and smoothest company's to work with.  We are building our home and these guys were so customer friendly, answered all our questions, was available to take our call if we had questions."

R. Morris

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"Friendly service, professional attitude of employee, polite and they cleaned up as they worked.   We had our pool enclosed redone after hurricane damage and now it looks great. Thanks"

Norman Danella

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"Lafferty did a fantastic job from start to finish on the patio pavers and aluminum screening. They completed the project on time, and perhaps even a little ahead of schedule!"

Jennifer Rinehart

Valued Customer
Five evenly spaced blue star shapes in a horizontal row.

"I couldn't be happier with the work performed by Lafferty.  They replaced my original screen house in February in a professional and timely manner.  I would highly recommend them for your screen enclosure needs."

Mike Barbagallo

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