How Much Do Solar Screens Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

The average solar screen costs $160 per window, including labor. Most homeowners pay between $80 and $280 per window. Expect to pay more for larger windows such as floor-to-ceiling, custom screens, or certain openness and density levels. Solar screens offer energy savings and UV protection for homeowners, and proper budgeting ensures you’re prepared for professional installation and occasional replacements.

Solar Screen Cost Factors

Several elements impact the cost of installing solar screens, from the size of your windows to the screening material you choose.

Number and Size of Windows

The more windows you screen, the higher your total bill—but the cost per screen drops. Many contractors have minimum job fees to make a call-out worth their time and to account for minimum labor hours, travel time, wear and tear on their vehicles and tools, but solar screen installers may offer a reduced rate per screen or a bundled total. For example, while installing a couple of screens can run you $100 per screen or more, having a whole home fitted can reduce the cost to between $50 and $70 per screen.

Size is the other most influential cost factor. The bigger your window type, the more solar screen material you need and the more you'll pay per window, excluding labor. Expect to pay between $5 and $8 per square foot.

A standard 36-by-60-inch window costs more than a smaller unit, and a large 48-by-60-inch window averages $160, with a range of $120 to $280. Custom screens or oversized dimensions require additional fabrication and fitting and can substantially increase overall costs.

Material

Solar screen fabric comes in different percentages. Higher percentages mean denser mesh, smaller holes, and better heat blocking. Material costs range from $4 to $8 per square foot, with lower-quality, thin, uncoated dark mesh priced at the lower end of this range and high-quality light, dense, PVC-coated mesh at the upper end.

The standard rating is 80%, meaning it blocks 80% of the heat and glare that normally make their way through the window. This rating is popular because it blocks enough heat to keep most rooms comfortable while still letting in light and preserving the view.

Labor

Labor costs $75 to $200 per window, or an average of $140. The cost depends on the job's difficulty and whether your local solar blind installer is installing new screens or repairing or replacing old ones. Repairing or replacing existing gridwork also increases labor costs.

Openness Factor

A 1% screen looks almost solid from the inside, while a 12% screen is very fine, allows more light in, and better preserves your view. A 5% openness value is popular because it offers a good compromise between light filtering and allows a homeowner to enjoy the view from their window.

The cost based on the openness factor is the reverse of solar blocking costs. A basic 1% screen fabric costs up to 50% less than a fine, refined 12% fabric. That’s because the base material for a high-end 14% screen is finer and higher quality than the material used in an entry-level 1% screen.

Location

Where you live impacts the cost to install window screens. If you shop around, you'll find a better deal in warmer climates with more competition and a comparatively lower cost of living. Due to a lack of competition, higher demand, and a higher cost of living, you could pay more in colder climates.

Does Installing Solar Screens Increase Home Value?

Installing solar screens can increase your home value, depending on your location and current market conditions. Solar screens make your property more energy-efficient, offering savings to potential buyers. They also offer increased privacy, reduce glare, and help regulate temperatures within the home. Environmentally conscious buyers or those looking to keep their utility bills low often see solar screens as an important selling point.

Budgeting for Installing Solar Screens

Solar screens vary significantly in price depending on the size, location, and number of screens required. To keep your project as budget-friendly as possible, consider the following tips:

• Install screens on the whole house instead of one or two windows to stretch your budget further.

• Compare quotes from multiple screen installers to find the most competitive offer.

• Check with your utility company for rebates or incentives for installing solar screens.

• Browse your local hardware store for discounts or sales on materials.

• Consider combining projects like screen door installation to make the most of labor fees.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.