COST CALCULATOR

How Much Does It Cost To Screen In A Porch?

Q: What is the difference between a screened-in porch and a screened-in patio?

A porch is directly attached to your home, usually at the front around the door. Screened-in porches are essentially the same as standard porches, except they’re enclosed with screening. A patio can be a freestanding platform and is typically located at the back of the home. There are also second-story patios that can be located on the front, the side, or the back of the home. In the latter cases, a screened-in patio can resemble an open-air sunroom.

Q: I want to turn my porch into a sunroom. How much does that cost?

If you want to create a sunroom, you’ll need to remove the old porch and build a new one. Sunrooms have additional structural requirements and often come with a predetermined design. Demolition costs can range from $5 to $11 per square foot, while the cost of installing a sunroom ranges from $8,000 to $90,000.

Q: What's the best material for my screen?

While copper and bronze are visually appealing, they tend to discolor over time. For an attractive yet durable option, vinyl-coated polyester and aluminum screens offer the best value for your money.

Q: How big can my screened-in porch or patio be?

The answer to this question depends entirely on the size of your yard. If you have a large space of more than an acre, your screened-in porch or patio can be as big as you want it to be. If you live in an area with limited yard space, your porch or patio will have to be sized according to your space allowance.

Q: Can I use retractable screens on my screened-in porch?

You certainly can use retractable screens for your screened-in porch. The cost will be substantially higher and the installation more complex since it may require running electrical wiring to your porch if it’s not already in place. Retractable screens are motorized and require a specialized track, so a traditional contractor won’t be suitable.

Typical range: $1,081-$1,568

Find out how much your project will cost

Zip Code

Screened in Porch Cost

For your project in zip code 43215 with these options, the cost to screen in porch starts at $27.02-$39.20 per square foot. Your actual price will depend on job size, conditions, finish options you choose.

If you spend a lot of time outside on summer days, it’s likely you’ve thought about building a screened-in porch. A cost evaluation will let you know what factors influence the overall price of installing a brand-new screened-in porch or simply adding a screen to your existing porch. Read on to learn about screened-in porch costs, what materials are available, and the range of design options to choose from.

Cost Calculator

Zip Code

Calculations are dependent on where you live

Square Feet

Standard Services		Quantity	Low	High
What you can expect
Range per square foot:			$27.02	$39.20
Range for this type of project:			$1,081	$1,568
Estimate: $1,325
	Cost to Screen In Porch	257 square feet	$663	$1,034
	Cost of fabric materials to screen in a standard, mid-grade porch. Quote includes sufficient fabric to ensure perfect installation, along with extra material for future repairs. Delivery (within 25 miles) is included.
	Basic Labor to Screen In Porch	12 hours	$351	$449
	Labor costs for standard, thorough installation. This will start with a full assessment of the space. Your team will plan the layout, acquire appropriate equipment, transport materials, and execute preparation, installation and cleanup.
	Job Supplies for Screen In Porch	240 square feet	$18	$21
	Supplies used to screen the porch. Fasteners, connectors, and hardware for the load transfer are included in this fee.
	Equipment Allowance for Screen In Porch	1 job	$48	$64
	An additional fee that covers our overhead costs for the maintenance of heavy equipment, such as the pneumatic finish nailer, 10" miter saw, electric jigsaw, 3" belt sander, and 3-1/4" electric planer.

Standard services

Cost to Screen In Porch
$663 -$1,034

257
square feet

Cost of fabric materials to screen in a standard, mid-grade porch. Quote includes sufficient fabric to ensure perfect installation, along with extra material for future repairs. Delivery (within 25 miles) is included.

Basic Labor to Screen In Porch
$351 -$449

12
hours

Labor costs for standard, thorough installation. This will start with a full assessment of the space. Your team will plan the layout, acquire appropriate equipment, transport materials, and execute preparation, installation and cleanup.

Job Supplies for Screen In Porch
$18 -$21

240
square feet

Supplies used to screen the porch. Fasteners, connectors, and hardware for the load transfer are included in this fee.

Equipment Allowance for Screen In Porch
$48 -$64

1
job

An additional fee that covers our overhead costs for the maintenance of heavy equipment, such as the pneumatic finish nailer, 10" miter saw, electric jigsaw, 3" belt sander, and 3-1/4" electric planer.

Optional Services

What you can expect

Range per square foot:
$27 - $39

Range for this type of project:
$1,081 - $1,568

Estimate:
$1,325

Cost Comparison

YOUR ESTIMATE

$1,325

NATIONAL AVERAGE RANGE

$1,122 -$1,628

YOUR ESTIMATE

Screen in porch: national average cost

The national average materials cost to screen in porch is $3.43 per square foot, with a range between $2.68 to $4.18. The total price for labor and materials per square foot is $11.26, coming in between $9.18 to $13.34. A typical 200 square foot project costs $2,252.64, with a range of $1,836.69 to $2,668.59. Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose.

cost to screen in porch
National Avg. Materials Cost per square foot	$3.43
National Avg. Cost (labor and materials) for 200 square foot	$2,252.64
National Cost Range (labor and materials) for 200 square foot	$1,836.69 - $2,668.59

Screened in porch cost calculator

The cost to screen in a porch - specifically installing a screen on an existing porch - averages $12 per square foot, with prices ranging from $10 to $14 per square foot. Naturally, the price will vary according to where you live and the materials you choose. At $12 per square foot, a project requiring 200 square feet of screen will cost approximately $2,400, ranging between $2,000 and $2,800.

The following table shows the average cost per square foot:

Square Feet	Average Cost	Lowest Cost	Highest Cost
100	$1,200	$1,000	$1,400
200	$2,400	$2,000	$2,800
300	$3,600	$3,000	$4,200
400	$4,800	$4,000	$5,600
500	$6,000	$5,000	$7,000
600	$7,200	$6,000	$8,400

Screening in a porch varies in cost according to the size of the project, your chosen material, and so on. For an existing porch with 200 feet of outer wall, installing a screen should cost you between $2,000 and $2,800. If your porch features 130 square feet of outer wall, expect the project to cost between $1,300 and $1,900. If you intend to build a new screened-in porch, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,600 to higher than $22,000. The cost to build a screened-in-porch varies according to the above factors and the labor cost your contractor quotes you.

Some additional influencing factors include:

Adding a screen door
New flooring
New stairs

Some additional factors that can influence the cost of building a screened-in porch include:

Posts
Railings
Roof
Permits

Cost of screened in porch materials

Like most materials, screening has a wide variety to suit your needs, whether it’s durability or aesthetics. Each of the materials listed below offers unique characteristics accompanied by different price points.

Here are some of the more common materials used in making screening for your screened-in porch:

Copper mesh

When first installed, a copper mesh screen looks beautiful. Over time, however, it will develop a patina that turns it green and eventually black. Copper mesh is easier to install than other metals due to its flexibility and easy cutting, but it’s not as strong as other screening materials. Copper mesh is approximately $6.50 per square foot. A 200-foot screen will cost an average of $1,300.

Brass

Brass screening is made of 70% copper and 30% zinc. Due to its high copper content, you can expect brass to tarnish over time. Unlike pure copper mesh, the zinc content of brass screening will add extra durability and strength, enabling it to resist abrasion. Brass is more difficult to cut, but its strength makes it a solid choice. Brass mesh is approximately $6 per square foot, so a 200-foot screen will cost $1,200.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel screening will not rust or tarnish, so it remains visually appealing even in inclement weather. Stainless steel is generally low maintenance, but its initial shininess will become dull with exposure to sunlight and rain. This material option is approximately $1 per square foot, so a 200-foot screen will cost you $200.

Bronze

Bronze is a combination of copper, aluminum, and several other metal alloys. Bronze mesh can get discolored, but it’s not as affected by salt as some other materials, making it a good choice for coastal homes. Bronze tends to be stiff and is on a par with brass and copper in terms of durability. This material is approximately $0.85 per square foot. A 200-foot screen will cost you $170.

Vinyl-coated polyester

Vinyl-coated polyester mesh is made by applying a special adhesive to polyester mesh before coating it in PVC. This material won’t develop a patina or tarnish, as it has no metal content. Vinyl-coated polyester is a good choice if you happen to live in a warm area since the thick PVC offers a bit more shade. This type of mesh is also available in a variety of colors, so you can match it or contrast it with the rest of your home. Vinyl-coated polyester mesh is approximately $0.58 per square foot, so a 200-foot screen would cost $116.

Aluminum mesh

Aluminum mesh is highly durable and easy to handle. Screens of this material are resistant to corrosion and keep their color for a long time. Aluminum mesh comes in silver, black, or charcoal gray colors. Aluminum doesn’t tend to offer shade or a cooler spot the way some other materials do since it reflects light and heat. This screen material is approximately $0.28 per square foot. A 200-foot screen would cost $56.

Fiberglass mesh

Fiberglass mesh is made from glass yarn, making it fire- and rust-resistant. You can find fiberglass mesh in a variety of colors, so it’s aesthetically versatile. That said, fiberglass tears easily, meaning that it would have to be repaired fairly often. This material is the least expensive option at approximately $0.15 per square foot. A 200-foot screen would cost $30.

Screen Porch Materials	Average Cost
Copper mesh	$6.50
Brass	$6.00
Stainles steel	$1.00
Bronze	$0.85
Vinyl-coated polyester	$0.58
Aluminum mesh	$0.28
Fiberglass mesh	$0.15

Screen in porch installation costs

Aside from the material you choose, there are a few other things to take into consideration when installing a screened-in porch. Let's break down a few of the different cost factors to help you decide what's best.

Screen in installation labor cost

The labor cost associated with installing your screened-in porch varies according to where you live, who you hire, and how complex the project is. Contractors will typically quote you a flat rate - often around $300, not including materials - to install a screen on your existing porch. If you intend to build a new porch, the labor cost will likely reach the thousands. When building a new porch, permits may be an additional expense you’ll need to factor in. The type of flooring you choose (concrete or wood) will also affect the overall screened-in porch cost.

Screened in porch doors cost

Adding a door to your screened-in porch is a smart move if you want to keep pesky bugs out of the enclosure. This feature will add to your overall cost, but it doesn’t have to be a substantial cost. An aluminum door will add an average of $93, with a locking door costing closer to $138. A latched wooden door will cost you around $50, while a more ornate door will run you as much as $500 or more.

Enclosed porch cost factors

When speaking to local contractors for your screened-in-porch project, it’s a good idea to get at least three quotes. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the best price. Additional factors like electrical wiring, lighting, and custom flooring will naturally affect the overall cost of your screened-in porch. The average labor cost to install wiring is approximately $30 to $75 per labor hour. If you plan to install lighting, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $400 for recessed lighting and from $20 to $5,000 for ceiling fans and hanging fixtures. If you intend to install ornamental columns, expect these to cost from $379 to $529.

Other than porches, you can install screening in a few other areas:

Your back patio. A typical screened-in patio costs between $1,500 and $1,880 for installation.
Your pool. The cost of screening off your pool area ranges between $1,600 and $2,000.
Your lanai. Popular in places like Florida, a screened-in lanai typically ranges from $1,400 to $1,800.

Whether you’re adding a screen to your porch or your back patio, you’ll need to factor in the framing material used in your project. When you’re getting your price quote, ask about the contractors' framing materials to determine which works best for you.