Cost guides · 2026 pricing
How much do ember-resistant screens cost?
Across the metros we cover, installed pricing runs $850 to $3,600 per opening. Where you land inside that range is decided by four things, and none of them is the brand on the label.
Wildfire & Ember Screens prices by metro
| Metro | Typical low | Typical high | What moves the price locally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID | $850 | $2,500 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| Denver, CO | $900 | $2,800 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| Los Angeles, CA | $1,200 | $3,400 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| Medford, OR | $850 | $2,600 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| Portland, OR | $900 | $2,700 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| Reno, NV | $900 | $2,700 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| Sacramento, CA | $1,000 | $3,000 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $850 | $2,600 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| San Diego, CA | $1,100 | $3,200 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| San Francisco, CA | $1,300 | $3,600 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
| Sedona, AZ | $950 | $2,800 | WUI listing and 1/16–1/8 inch mesh requirement |
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.
Wildfire & Ember Screens cost: common questions
What mesh size is required for wildfire ember protection?
Corrosion-resistant metal mesh with openings no larger than 1/8 inch and no smaller than 1/16 inch. Larger openings let embers through; smaller ones clog with debris and restrict required venting. Fiberglass mesh does not qualify — it melts.
Does California Chapter 7A require me to retrofit my existing home?
Not statewide, as of now. Chapter 7A governs new construction and major remodels in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. For an existing home, ember-resistant vents and screens are voluntary — but they are among the highest-value hardening steps, and insurers increasingly ask for them.
What does ember-resistant screening cost in Boise?
Whole-house vent and opening screening typically runs $500 to $2,500 depending on vent count and access. Full ember-resistant window screens on an opening-by-opening basis land closer to $850–$3,600 per opening when they also carry a security rating.
Can one screen handle both fire and break-ins?
Yes, and that combination is worth paying for. A 316 stainless mesh system that carries both a forced-entry test report and a WUI listing does two jobs with one install. Few contractors offer it — this ranking shows which ones do.