The fastest places to buy replacement window screens
You can buy replacement window screens at home improvement stores, hardware stores, online retailers, and directly from window manufacturers. The fastest option depends on whether you need the screen today or can wait for shipping, and whether you want a pre-made standard size or a custom-built frame.
Home Depot and Lowe's stock pre-made screens in common sizes and carry frame kits you can assemble yourself. Local hardware stores like Ace Hardware often offer same-day custom screening services — you bring your frame or measurements, and they build it while you wait or within 24 hours. Amazon and Wayfair ship standard sizes within two to three days. Window manufacturers like Andersen, Pella, and Marvin sell screens directly through their websites or authorized dealers, though lead times run longer if the screen is a specialty size.
Key Takeaways
- Home Depot and Lowe's have pre-made screens in stock for when ready pickup, and both sell frame kits and screening material if you want to build your own.
- Local hardware stores often build custom screens to your exact measurements within 24 hours, which costs more than a kit but saves time if your frame is an odd size.
- Online retailers like Amazon and Wayfair carry standard sizes with two- to three-day shipping, but custom orders may take two to four weeks.
- Window manufacturers sell screens directly, but only if your window is a brand they make — check your window frame for the maker's name before contacting them.
- Screening material alone (mesh, frame, and spline) costs $15 to $40 per screen if you already have a frame and want to repair it yourself.
Home improvement stores: stock and speed
Home Depot and Lowe's both stock pre-made window screens in the most common sizes: 24" × 36", 28" × 36", 30" × 36", and 32" × 36". You can pick these up the same day or have them delivered within two to three days. Both stores also sell frame kits (aluminum or vinyl frames with spline and screening material included) for $8 to $25 per screen, depending on size and material quality.
If your window is a standard size, buying a pre-made screen takes five minutes. If your window is smaller or larger than the standard range, you have two options at these stores: buy a frame kit and trim it yourself, or buy loose screening material and spline and repair the existing frame. Home Depot's website lets you filter by size and material type (fiberglass mesh, aluminum mesh, or pet-resistant mesh), so you can see what is in stock before you drive there.
Both stores also rent or sell tools for screen repair — a spline roller (the tool that presses the rubber cord into the frame) costs $5 to $15 to buy or $3 to $5 to rent for a day. If you are repairing more than two screens, buying is cheaper.
Local hardware stores: custom screens built to order
Ace Hardware, True Value, and independent hardware stores in your area often offer custom screening services. You bring your old frame or a measurement (width and height in inches), and the store builds a new screen while you wait or within 24 hours. The cost is usually $25 to $50 per screen, depending on frame material and mesh type — more than a kit from Home Depot, but faster than ordering online if your size is not standard.
Call ahead to confirm the store offers this service; not all locations do. Ask whether they can match your existing frame material (aluminum or vinyl) and what mesh options they have — fiberglass is standard and cheapest, but pet-resistant mesh costs a few dollars more and lasts longer if you have cats or dogs that push on screens.
This route is worth it if you have an unusual window size, a frame that is damaged but still usable, or if you need the screen within a day. If you have time to wait and your window is a standard size, ordering online is cheaper.
Online retailers: standard sizes with shipping
Amazon, Wayfair, and Walmart.com all carry pre-made window screens in standard sizes. Shipping usually takes two to three days with standard delivery, and prices range from $15 to $40 per screen depending on size and mesh type. Amazon Prime members often get free two-day shipping, which can save you a trip to a store if you do not mind waiting.
The advantage of ordering online is selection: you can compare fiberglass mesh, aluminum mesh, and pet-resistant mesh side by side, read reviews from other buyers, and see the exact dimensions before you buy. The disadvantage is that you cannot pick it up today, and returns can be slow if the size is wrong.
If you need a custom size, some online retailers like Etsy have small manufacturers who build screens to order, but lead times run two to four weeks and prices are higher ($40 to $80 per screen). This option makes sense only if your window is an unusual size and you cannot find a local hardware store that does custom work.
Window manufacturers: direct purchase if you know the brand
If your window is made by Andersen, Pella, Marvin, or another major manufacturer, you can order screens directly from them or through their authorized dealers. Check your window frame for a label or logo — it is usually on the frame edge or corner. Once you know the brand, visit their website and look for the "replacement parts" or "screens" section.
Ordering from the manufacturer guarantees the screen fits your specific window model, but it costs more ($40 to $80 per screen) and takes longer (two to four weeks). This route is best if you have a high-end window, a specialty size, or a frame that is damaged and you want an exact replacement.
Many manufacturers also sell through big-box retailers: Andersen screens are available at Home Depot, and Pella screens are at Lowe's. Buying through the retailer is faster and sometimes cheaper than ordering direct.
Screening material and frame kits: repair your existing frame
If your frame is still straight and the only problem is torn or worn mesh, you can buy screening material and spline (the rubber cord that holds the mesh in place) separately and repair the frame yourself. A frame kit with everything you need costs $8 to $25 and includes pre-cut mesh, spline, and sometimes a spline roller tool.
Home Depot, Lowe's, and Ace Hardware all stock these kits in fiberglass and aluminum mesh. Fiberglass is easier to work with if you are doing this for the first time — it does not dent as easily as aluminum, and the spline presses in more smoothly. The repair takes 15 to 30 minutes per screen once you have the tools.
If you do not have a spline roller, you can buy one for $5 to $15 or use a flathead screwdriver in a pinch, though it takes longer and the result is less neat. Rental is an option if you only need it once — most hardware stores rent them for $3 to $5 per day.
Comparing cost and timing across options
| Option | Cost per screen | Time to get it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-made screen from Home Depot or Lowe's | $15–$40 | Same day (pickup) or 2–3 days (delivery) | Standard sizes, need it fast |
| Frame kit (DIY repair) | $8–$25 | Same day (pickup) plus 15–30 min work | Repairing an existing frame |
| Custom screen from local hardware store | $25–$50 | Same day or next day | Unusual sizes, need it within 24 hours |
| Online retailer (Amazon, Wayfair) | $15–$40 | 2–3 days shipping | Standard sizes, can wait for delivery |
| Custom order from online maker | $40–$80 | 2–4 weeks | Specialty sizes, no local option |
| Window manufacturer direct | $40–$80 | 2–4 weeks | High-end windows, exact replacement needed |
What to measure before you buy
Before you go to a store or place an order, measure your window frame opening in two places: width (left to right) and height (top to bottom). Measure in inches and round down to the nearest half inch. Write down both numbers — width first, then height — so you do not mix them up.
If you are buying a pre-made screen, the label will list the size as "width × height" (for example, "24 × 36"). Make sure the screen you buy matches your measurements. If your window is 25 inches wide and 37 inches tall, a 24 × 36 screen will be too small. In that case, buy a frame kit and trim it, or order a custom screen.
If you are repairing an existing frame, measure the frame itself (not the opening) to make sure a new kit will fit. Most kits come in standard sizes, but some can be trimmed down if your frame is smaller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a screen that fits a sliding glass door?
Yes. Sliding glass door screens are larger than window screens (usually 36" × 80" or 48" × 80") and are sold at Home Depot, Lowe's, and online retailers. They cost $30 to $60 and can be picked up the same day at a store or shipped within two to three days. If your door is an unusual size, a local hardware store can build a custom frame.
What is the difference between fiberglass and aluminum mesh?
Fiberglass mesh is cheaper, easier to repair yourself, and does not dent if you push on it. Aluminum mesh is more durable and lasts longer, but it dents easily and is harder to work with if you are replacing it yourself. For most homes, fiberglass is fine. For pet-resistant screens, both materials are available, but pet-resistant mesh is thicker and costs a few dollars more.
Do I need to know my window brand to buy a replacement screen?
No. Standard pre-made screens fit any window of the same size, regardless of brand. You only need to know the brand if you want an exact replacement from the manufacturer or if your window is a specialty size that the manufacturer made custom. For most repairs, just measure your frame and buy a screen that matches those measurements.
Can I return a screen if it does not fit?
Yes, but it depends on where you buy it. Home Depot and Lowe's accept returns within 90 days if the screen is unused and in original packaging. Amazon and Wayfair have similar policies, though some third-party sellers on Amazon have stricter return windows. Always check the return policy before you buy, especially if you are ordering online and cannot measure the fit in person first.
Is it cheaper to buy a frame kit and build it myself?
Yes, if you already have a frame that just needs new mesh. A frame kit costs $8 to $25 and takes 15 to 30 minutes to install. A pre-made screen costs $15 to $40, and a custom screen from a hardware store costs $25 to $50. If you are replacing the frame itself (not just the mesh), a pre-made screen or custom order is usually faster and not much more expensive.