Cost guides · 2026 pricing
How much do solar screens cost?
Across the metros we cover, installed pricing runs $750 to $3,800 per opening. Where you land inside that range is decided by four things, and none of them is the brand on the label.
Solar Screens prices by metro
| Metro | Typical low | Typical high | What moves the price locally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $750 | $2,300 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| Austin, TX | $850 | $2,600 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| Bakersfield, CA | $800 | $2,400 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $850 | $2,600 | Approval requirements on the assembled system |
| Dallas, TX | $800 | $2,400 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| Daytona Beach, FL | $1,000 | $3,000 | Approval requirements on the assembled system |
| Fresno, CA | $800 | $2,400 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| Hilo, HI | $1,300 | $3,800 | Approval requirements on the assembled system |
| Houston, TX | $950 | $2,900 | Approval requirements on the assembled system |
| Las Vegas, NV | $950 | $2,800 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| McAllen, TX | $800 | $2,500 | Approval requirements on the assembled system |
| Medford, OR | $850 | $2,600 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| New Orleans, LA | $950 | $2,900 | Approval requirements on the assembled system |
| Pensacola, FL | $1,000 | $3,000 | Approval requirements on the assembled system |
| Phoenix, AZ | $900 | $2,600 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| Riverside, CA | $900 | $2,700 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| Sacramento, CA | $1,000 | $3,000 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| San Antonio, TX | $800 | $2,400 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| St. George, UT | $800 | $2,400 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
| Tampa, FL | $1,100 | $3,300 | Approval requirements on the assembled system |
| Tucson, AZ | $750 | $2,200 | Opening size and whether the frame is square |
What actually drives the number
- Opening size and type. A 36-inch entry door is the baseline. A 6- or 8-foot slider costs substantially more — heavier extrusion, higher mesh tension, track hardware.
- Whether the opening is square. Pre-1990s homes settle. An out-of-square opening means custom fabrication and often a sub-frame, which is where quotes diverge most.
- Mesh alloy and certification. Type 316 stainless runs 15–30% above 304 on the mesh, and a system carrying a current approval or listing costs more than generic mesh. That premium is the part that passes inspection.
- Finish and configuration. Custom powder-coat colors, double doors, arched tops and multi-panel spans all add real fabrication time.
How to read a quote
An itemized quote should name the mesh alloy as a number, not as "marine grade"; state the frame material and fastener type; identify the test report or approval covering the exact model; and separate product from labor. A single-line price with none of that is not a quote you can compare.
Transparency is worth 15 points in our contractor rating for exactly this reason — published pricing and itemized quotes correlate strongly with the rest of the job going well.
Solar Screens cost: common questions
How much do solar screens cut cooling costs?
Exterior solar screens block heat before it reaches the glass, which is why they outperform interior blinds. Savings depend on window orientation and shading fabric density; west- and south-facing glass is where the money is. Treat any single blanket percentage claim with suspicion — ask which openings the contractor recommends screening and which they don't.
What do solar screens cost in Albuquerque?
Solar screens are the cheapest product in this category — usually a few hundred dollars per opening — well below the $750–$3,800 band for security or hurricane-rated systems. The contractors listed here mostly do both, so a combined quote is often worth asking for.
How long do solar screens last?
Frame and fabric quality decide it. A powder-coated aluminum frame with a named fabric and a written warranty lasts a decade or more; unbranded fabric on a thin frame starts sagging in three to five summers. That is why warranty and material disclosure carry the most weight in this ranking.