Sliding Screen Door: Rescreen or Replace?

How to tell whether your screen door needs new mesh or a new door

Torn mesh, a bent frame or a screen door that won’t roll? Here’s how to tell which fix you need.

Torn sliding screen door mesh

The Quick Answer

If the frame is straight and the track works, rescreening is usually the simpler fix. If the frame is bent, the track is worn or the door no longer slides, replacement is usually the better value. This guide shows how to tell which one you have.

Signs the Screen Only Needs Rescreening

  • Holes or tears in the mesh, but the corners and frame are square
  • The screen still rolls and locks
  • The frame isn’t bent or cracked at the corners
New heavy-duty aluminum sliding screen door

Signs You Need a New Screen Door

  • A bent or cracked frame, or corners that don’t square up
  • Worn or missing rollers and track on the screen
  • Mesh that won’t hold tension after rescreening
  • Corrosion at the corners, common near salt air
Screen before and after rescreening

Rescreen vs. Repair vs. Replace

SituationUsual fixPricing
Mesh torn, frame goodRescreenWe price on site after inspection
Track or roller wornRepairRepairs start at $150
Frame bent or corrodedReplaceWe price on site after inspection
Technician checking a sliding screen door

How to Decide

A few quick checks you can do yourself:

  • Press on each corner. If it flexes or the joint opens, the frame is weak.
  • Check the track. Bent, chewed or missing track sections stop the door from rolling.
  • Look for daylight at the corners when the screen is closed.

For more on tracks and rollers, see our guides to sliding door track repair and roller replacement.

Screen mesh samples

How We Can Help

We repair screens and we sell and install new sliding screen doors. We’ll tell you if a rescreen is enough. See our window and door screen repair and new sliding screen doors pages.

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Screen Door FAQ

How much does it cost to rescreen a sliding screen door?

We price rescreens on site after inspection. Repairs start at $150.

Sometimes, if the corners can be squared. We check on site.

Yes, up to 5 years on our own work, depending on the repair.

Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Saturdays by request.

Not Sure Which Fix You Need?

Call 561-822-5444 or book a free estimate. We’ll check the frame and track and tell you whether a rescreen will do. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Saturdays by request.