How Much Do Solar Screens Cost in 2025?

Average Solar Screen Cost per Window

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.

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, with prices between $50 and $100 per screen. Due to a lack of competition, higher demand, and a higher cost of living, you could pay as much as $130 per screen in colder climates.

Number and Size of Windows

Generally, the more windows you want screens installed on, the more you'll pay overall, but the less you'll pay per screen. 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, and profit. 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. An average 36-by-60-inch window may cost as little as $55 for the materials, while a large 60-by-72-inch window can cost $80 or more.

Material

The type and color of the material determine how much you'll pay for the screen fabric. Light screens reflect the most light and heat, making them more efficient and costly. Darker fabrics have a different aesthetic that some people love, but because they usually let more heat through, they cost less per square inch.

The typical range is $2 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.

Keep in mind that you'll see solar screen fabric with different percentages. The higher the percentage, the more screen material there is, the smaller the holes in the mesh, and the more heat they block. The typical rating is 80%, meaning it blocks around 80% of the heat and glare that normally make their way through the window. This percentage is popular because it blocks enough heat to make most rooms tolerable without completely blocking light and the view from the window. 

The other common option is 90% fabric, which effectively blocks heat and light. Some people find it too dark, but it's favored in particularly hot climates. You can get solar screen fabric as low as 65% or as high as 99%. The greater the percentage, the more material the screen uses, so the more it costs. A screen with 99% blocking capabilities can cost twice as much as one that only blocks 65% of the light and heat.

Openness Factor

The openness factor refers to the size of the holes in the mesh and the light filtering and privacy capabilities. Unlike the solar blocking rating, the openness factor runs from 1% to 14%. A 1% screen looks solid from the inside, while a 12% screen is super-fine, lets more light through, and hinders the view less. 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. This is because the base material for a high-end 14% screen is finer and higher quality than that required for a functional, budget-friendly 1% screen.

Solar Screen Cost per Square Foot

Solar screens for windows cost about $4 to $5 per square foot, but it could be as much as $7.50 per square foot or more. However, the more screens you install on your windows, the lower your per-square-foot costs.

Solar Screen Cost Breakdown

The costs for solar screen installation are divided into materials and labor, with labor accounting for about 70% of the total price.

Materials

Most solar screens cost between $40 and $280 per window, or $160 on average, not including labor. Screens made from more durable mesh will cost more.

Solar screens come in many colors. Darker screens like black or brown make it easier to see out of your window, but lighter screens bring in more natural light. There isn’t a noticeable price difference between darker and lighter versions.

Labor

Labor costs around $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.

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:

• Rather than just installing one screen, have your whole home fitted to save on labor costs.

• 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.