Mobile Screened Porches - Professional Porch Rescreening
Screen mesh on the Gulf Coast doesn't last as long as it does in drier climates. Mobile's combination of 65+ inches of annual rain, high UV exposure from March through October, two love bug seasons per year, and the occasional tropical system puts a lot of stress on fiberglass and aluminum screening. A mesh panel that might last 15 years in Memphis might look chalky and start pulling loose from its spline in 7-8 years here. When the screen is gone, the whole point of the porch is gone with it.
Rescreening is a straightforward job: we remove the old mesh, inspect the frame channels for damage, replace the spline, and roll in new commercial-grade mesh. For most standard porch sizes, we can complete the job the same day. No permit required for rescreening.
Why Gulf Coast Screens Fail Faster
There are a few specific things that accelerate screen deterioration in Mobile and the surrounding area:
- UV exposure - south-facing panels get direct sun almost year-round, which breaks down standard fiberglass mesh faster than the product is rated for
- Love bugs - twice a year (April-May and August-September) they coat every surface and leave behind acidic residue that degrades mesh and spline
- High humidity - keeps mesh damp for long stretches, which accelerates oxidation on aluminum mesh and softening of fiberglass coatings
- Tropical weather events - tropical storms and hurricanes produce wind-driven debris that punches holes or deforms panels even when the frame survives
- Salt air - homes within a mile or two of Mobile Bay or Chickasabouge Creek see faster corrosion on aluminum mesh; fiberglass is the better choice near water
Screen Types We Install
Standard 90g Fiberglass Mesh
This is what goes on the majority of porches. 18x16 mesh count, charcoal color (see-through from inside, non-glare from outside), flexible and easy to rescreen if damaged. Carries a 30-year UV rating. Good for most Mobile porches that aren't directly on the water.
Solar / Privacy Screen
Tighter weave (80-90% solar blockage) that cuts glare and heat on south or west-facing porches, where afternoon sun comes straight through standard mesh. Popular on Dog River homes with west-facing porches. You sacrifice some airflow, but the temperature difference in the porch during July is noticeable.
Pet-Resistant Mesh
7x heavier than standard mesh, designed to withstand dogs and cats pushing or clawing at the screen. If you've had a pet blow through your screen panel, this is the replacement. More expensive - roughly 2x the material cost - but it holds up.
No-See-Um Mesh
20x20 weave count that blocks the tiny biting midges (locally called no-see-ums) that come off Mobile Bay and bayou areas on warm evenings. Trade-off is reduced airflow. We typically recommend it for porches near water rather than as a blanket solution.
Rescreening Costs and When to Replace the Frame
Rescreening a standard residential porch in Mobile costs $350-$800 depending on square footage and mesh type. A 10x14 porch with standard fiberglass mesh typically runs $380-$480 including labor and materials. Pet-resistant or solar mesh adds $100-$200 to the material cost.
Before we quote, we check the frame channels. If the spline groove is cracked, the aluminum extrusion is bent, or wooden frame members are rotting at the joints, rescreening over a bad frame is wasted money. In those cases we'll give you a separate quote for frame repair or a full screen porch repair alongside the rescreening. We don't want to rescreen something that's going to be a problem again in 18 months.
Serving Mobile and Surrounding Areas
We rescreen porches across Mobile, Saraland, Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and the broader Mobile County and Eastern Shore area. Contact us for a free in-home estimate anywhere within 45 miles of downtown Mobile.