🧰 DIY Screens: Why Doing It Yourself Often Costs More Than Hiring a Pro?

Alexander De Arbeloa
Jul 7
2 min read

Retractable screen door for French doors

Over the past few years, we’ve had several clients come to us after attempting to build or repair screens themselves whether it was a window screen, a sliding screen door, or even a retractable unit.

Their goal? Save a few bucks.The result? Wasted time, money, and frustration.

At Open Blind Solutions, we’ve seen this story play out over and over. And as someone with years of hands-on experience in screens and window treatments, I can say this with confidence:

“You’re better off letting a pro handle it the first time.”

🪟 Common DIY Screen Projects That Go Sideways

1. Sliding Screen Doors

Frames not square = doors that don’t slide
Cheap rollers = wobbly, squeaky movement
Poor fit = bugs getting in or door jamming

2. Window Screens

Loose mesh, uneven tension
Gaps that don’t seal properly
Wrong spline size or broken corners

3. Retractable Screens

Difficult installs with alignment issues
Misplaced tracks that rub or jam
Poor-quality kits that rattle or fail after one season

🤯 The Real Cost of “Saving Money”

Many people think they’re saving by doing it themselves — but here’s the reality:

DIY Attempt	Time Spent	Cost (Parts/Tools)	Common Outcome
Build or repair screen door	4–6 hrs	$80–$150+	Doesn’t roll or align well
Re-screen a window	2–3 hrs	$40–$80	Loose mesh or poor seal
Install retractable screen kit	4+ hrs	$150–$300	Noise, gaps, or re-install

➡️ Then you end up calling someone like me... to fix it right.

🧠 Stick to Your Strengths and Let Pros Do the Rest

Look, we all have our trades. If you’re a builder, designer, accountant, teacher your time is valuable. Spending hours trying to figure out screen corners, mesh tension, or door rollers isn’t worth it when it’s not your craft.

You wouldn’t ask a plumber to build your deck same idea here.

✅ Why Hiring a Screen Pro Makes Sense

📏 Precision Fit: We measure, build, and install accurately
🔩 Pro-Grade Materials: Durable mesh, frames, and rollers
⚙️ Smoother Function: Doors glide, windows seal tight
💼 Time-Saving: One appointment, one install, no headaches
🔧 Built to Last: No need to redo it in a year

🧭 Final Word: Do It Once, Do It Right

If you’re thinking about making or fixing screens yourself, just know that what seems simple can quickly become a headache.Hiring a professional isn’t just about convenience it’s about value, longevity, and results you can rely on.

At Open Blind Solutions, we’ve helped countless clients who started with a DIY project… and ended up calling us later. Let’s skip that step.