The short answer
If the aluminium frame is straight, the corners are tight and the screen still fits the window, re-meshing it with new mesh and spline is usually enough. Replace the screen when the frame is bent, the corners have split or it no longer seals. Oneflare’s cost guide lists $130 for a one-window flyscreen replacement in Sydney and $55–$65 for each additional window. A flyscreen is not a safety barrier: NSW Health says children can fall through a window open more than 12.5 cm even with a flyscreen fitted.
Repair or replace: check the frame first
Take the screen out and lay it on a flat surface. If all four sides sit flat, the corner joints are firm and the frame is not kinked, it can usually be re-meshed. Most window screens in Sydney homes are an aluminium channel frame with the mesh held in by a rubber spline, so the old mesh and spline pull out and new ones roll in.
Replacement is the better choice when the frame is bent from being forced, the plastic corner stakes have cracked, the screen has been cut down badly before, or the window has been changed so the old screen no longer fits. A new screen is made to the opening, so measure the window rather than the old frame.
- Re-mesh: torn, sagging or pet-damaged mesh in a straight, square frame.
- Repair the hardware: missing clips, a broken pull tab or worn rollers on a sliding screen door.
- Replace: bent or split frames, screens that no longer fit, or a hinged screen door that drops on its hinges.
Choosing the mesh
Standard fibreglass mesh is the everyday choice for windows. Oneflare’s guide describes polyester pet mesh as “normally resistant to pet claws”, which suits screen doors where a dog or cat scratches to get in. It also notes aluminium mesh as a substitute for stainless steel with less rusting. Heavier mesh can need a different spline size, so match the spline to the mesh and the frame channel.
Security screens with stainless steel mesh and keyed locks are a different product from a flyscreen. Their repair can involve locks and certified components, which is outside a minor flyscreen repair.
Published flyscreen prices in Sydney
Oneflare publishes flyscreen costs from its own and third-party data. The page shows no date, so the figures below are quoted as they appeared on 12 October 2026.
Oneflare published flyscreen guide
| Job or charge | Published guide | Publisher & scope |
|---|---|---|
| Flyscreen replacement, one window | $130 | OneflareSydney row; GST not stated |
| Each additional window | $55–$65 | OneflareEstimate for further windows; GST not stated |
| Unit of screening (mesh) | $40–$50 | OneflareAverage per piece; GST not stated |
| Hinged flyscreen door, material and installation | $250–$5,000 | OneflareWide range covering basic to premium doors; GST not stated |
AUD figures as published (no page date), checked 12 October 2026. Not quotes from this website or a Bankstown average. The number of screens, sizes, mesh type and whether frames are re-used change the total. Ask for an itemised written quote.
Several screens done in one visit are easier to price as a list. Count the screens, note which are windows and which are doors, and measure each opening. The handyman cost guide explains hourly and per-task pricing.
A flyscreen will not stop a child falling
NSW Health’s Kids Don’t Fly brochure is blunt: “Children can fall out of a window which is open more than 12.5cm, even if a flyscreen is fitted”, and it advises: “do not rely on flyscreens to prevent a child falling out of a window.” It also suggests keeping beds and other furniture away from windows so children cannot climb up.
If you have young children, ask about window locks or safety devices that limit the opening, separately from the flyscreen. In a strata building, check with the strata manager before changing anything on the window.
Flyscreens in a rental
NSW lists “inserting fly screens on windows” among the minor changes a landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. You still need to ask, and you usually pay for a change unless the landlord agrees otherwise. A screen that was already there and has worn out is a repair to report to the agent.
If you are moving out, compare the screens with your condition report. The end-of-lease repairs checklist walks through screens, doors and walls room by room.
This service covers minor, non-structural work. Residential building jobs are limited to $5,000 in total, including labour, materials and GST. Electrical, plumbing, gas and other specialist trades are outside this service. The limit applies to the whole job; work cannot be split into smaller invoices to avoid licensing. NSW licensing rules.
Questions about this guide
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a flyscreen?
Re-meshing a sound frame usually uses less material than making a new screen. If the frame is bent or the corners have split, replacement is often the better value because a re-meshed bent frame still will not fit.
How much does a flyscreen cost in Sydney?
Oneflare’s guide, with no page date and checked 12 October 2026, lists $130 for a one-window replacement in Sydney and $55–$65 for each additional window. GST is not stated. Your quote depends on sizes, mesh and the number of screens.
What mesh is best if I have a dog or cat?
Pet mesh is thicker and more resistant to claws than standard fibreglass mesh. It is often used on screen doors. Ask that the spline is matched to the heavier mesh.
Can a sliding screen door that jumps off its track be fixed?
Often, yes. Worn or badly adjusted rollers and a dirty track are common causes. A door with a bent frame or damaged track may need more than an adjustment.
Do flyscreens stop children falling out of windows?
No. NSW Health advises not to rely on flyscreens and says children can fall through a window open more than 12.5 cm even with a flyscreen fitted.
Sources and date checked
- Oneflare — fly screen cost guide (no page date)
- NSW Health — Kids Don't Fly brochure (Nov 2012)
- NSW Government — making changes to a rental property (modified 21 Sep 2026)
- NSW Government — getting repairs done in a rental
Information checked 13 October 2026. Guides explain the source’s published scope; a job needs its own assessment.