How Much Do Solar Screens Cost in 2025?
Installing solar screens on your windows averages $160
The average solar screen cost is $160, with average prices ranging between $80 and $280 per window.
Prices vary depending on location, size and number of windows, and your chosen material.
Installing a couple of screens averages $100 per screen, while having a whole home fitted reduces the cost to $50 to $70 per screen.
Labor costs $35 to $90 per window.
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.
| Number of Windows | Average Cost per Screen |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | $100 |
| Whole home | $50–$70 |
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.
Solar screens are a type of mesh that prevents too much sunlight from entering your house. They adhere to either the outside or inside of your windows, significantly reducing glare and lowering your home's temperature. Solar screens also provide extra privacy since you can see out your windows, but outsiders can't see inside.
When properly installed, solar screens insulate your home better than other types of screens and window treatments. In hot and dry states like Texas, Nevada, or Arizona, they help cool your house naturally and lower your energy bills by up to 33%.
Most solar screens last about 10 years. However, this can vary depending on the climate, installation quality, and screen type. Solar screens in direct sunlight will begin to fade after three years. Proper maintenance can help extend the life of your solar screens.
Solar screens are better than paying for window tinting because they can help keep the interior of your home cooler by blocking the sun's heat. Window tinting isn’t as effective at blocking out heat. Solar screens also protect your furniture and flooring from fading due to the sun's UV rays. Consider installing smart glass, which allows you to change the color and transparency of the window.
No, solar shades don't keep the cold out. Solar screens work by blocking sunlight, effectively making the windows in your home more energy-efficient, but they won't help to keep your home warmer in cold weather. Although less sunlight may come in to naturally warm the space during colder months, solar screens provide an extra layer of insulation for your windows, helping your home retain its interior temperature.
