If you’re considering motorized retractable screens for your patio, porch, or outdoor kitchen, price is usually the first question. It’s also hard to find a straight answer online. Many price guides are written for Florida lanais or other markets, and many quote numbers that leave out installation, motors, or controls.
This guide is written for homeowners in Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Southlake, Arlington, and the rest of North Texas. It covers what motorized screens typically cost here in 2026, what pushes the price up or down, and how to plan your budget before you request a quote.
The Short Answer
At KJ Custom Screens & Outdoor Living, a 10′ x 10′ motorized screen, professionally installed, starts at about $4,100 to $4,500. Pricing is based on the width and height of each opening, so larger openings and premium features cost more.
That matches what’s happening across Texas. One industry pricing database that tracks more than 700 Texas motorized screen projects reports a statewide median of about $8,100 per project. A typical project covers two or more openings.
Most DFW patios need between one and four screens, so many homeowners budget somewhere between $4,000 for a single small opening and $20,000 or more for a fully screened outdoor room.
Typical Motorized Screen Prices by Opening Size
| Opening or Project | Typical Installed Range* | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Small opening (up to about 10′ wide) | About $4,100 to $5,000 | Side openings, balconies, smaller porches |
| Standard patio opening (12′ to 16′ wide) | About $4,500 to $7,000 | Most covered patios in DFW homes |
| Wide opening (18′ to 24’+) | About $6,500 to $10,000+ | Large back patios, pool cabanas, garages |
| Two-opening patio | About $8,000 to $13,000 | L-shaped and corner patios |
| Full outdoor room (3 to 4 openings) | About $12,000 to $25,000+ | Outdoor kitchens, screened porches, entertaining spaces |
*These are planning ranges for the DFW area, not a quote. Your price depends on the exact measurements, fabric, track system, controls, and installation conditions at your home.
What Affects the Cost of Motorized Screens?
1. Size of Each Opening
Width and height drive the price more than anything else. Wider screens need a larger housing, a stronger motor, and heavier tracks. Very tall or very wide spans may need extra engineering to stay tight and quiet in the wind.
2. Number of Openings
Each opening gets its own screen and motor, so a three-sided patio costs roughly three times as much as a single opening. Some installation work, like setup and wiring runs, can be shared, so bigger projects often cost a little less per screen.
3. Fabric Choice
The screen fabric affects how the space feels and what the screen costs:
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Insect screen: Keeps out mosquitoes and flies while preserving airflow and the view. In North Texas, mosquito control is a major reason homeowners add screens.
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Solar shade fabric (80% to 95% openness factors): Blocks a large share of the sun’s heat and glare. This is ideal for west-facing patios that bake in the Texas afternoon sun.
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Privacy fabric: A tighter weave that blocks views from neighbors or the street.
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Clear vinyl: Blocks wind, rain, and cooler air so you can use the patio in winter, especially with a patio heater.
Solar and specialty fabrics usually cost more than standard insect mesh. Many homeowners choose different fabrics for different sides of the same patio.
4. Track System
Zipper-track systems lock the fabric edge into the side tracks. That seals out bugs and holds up much better in gusty North Texas wind, but they cost more than cable-guided screens. For most patios in this area, zipper-track screens are worth the upgrade.
5. Motor and Controls
Standard motorized screens come with a remote. Upgrades include:
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Wall switches
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Smartphone app and voice control
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Wind and sun sensors that raise or lower the screens automatically
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Integration with smart home systems
Wind sensors are especially helpful during spring storm season in DFW.
6. Mounting and Electrical
Mounting conditions like brick, stone, stucco, wood beams, or a new patio cover all affect installation time. Each motor needs power, so the cost of running electrical can vary based on how close outlets or junction boxes are.
7. Finish and Style
Housing and track colors are usually matched to your trim. Recessed or hidden housings give a cleaner look but add cost, and they’re easiest to plan during new construction or a patio cover build.
Motorized vs. Manual Screens: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Manual crank or pull-down screens cost less, and they’re a good fit for small openings that you rarely adjust. Most DFW homeowners choose motorized screens because:
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They raise or lower in seconds with a remote, phone, or switch
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They’re easier to use daily, especially for wide or tall openings
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Sensors can protect them in high wind automatically
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They add a high-end feel that increases how much you use your outdoor space
If you’re comparing options, see our guides to manual patio roll-up shades and motorized patio shades and retractable screens in Dallas.
Motorized Screens vs. Motorized Shades: What’s the Difference?
Many homeowners search for “motorized shades” when they mean exterior motorized screens. Outdoors, the terms usually describe the same product: a retractable fabric screen that lowers from a housing at the top of the opening and runs along side tracks. The main differences are the fabric:
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Screens usually mean insect mesh for bug protection.
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Shades usually mean solar fabric for sun and heat control.
KJ Custom installs both, and many patios combine them.
Ways to Get More Value From Your Budget
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Start with the opening that gets the most sun. In DFW, that’s usually the west or southwest side. You can add more screens later with matching fabric and housings.
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Screen and cover in one project. If you’re adding a patio cover or louvered roof, planning screens at the same time lets the installer prepare wiring and mounting, and it gives you a cleaner finished look.
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Choose the right fabric for each side. Use insect mesh where you want airflow and the view, and solar fabric where heat and glare are the bigger issue.
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Consider a wind sensor. It protects your investment during North Texas storms.
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Schedule in fall or winter. Spring and early summer are the busiest season, so planning earlier usually means faster installation before mosquito season.
How Long Do Motorized Screens Last?
Quality motorized screens with good fabric and motors typically last many years with basic care: rinse the fabric, keep the tracks clear, and raise screens during severe weather. For simple care tips, see our post on maintenance for exterior shades.
Motorized Screens Across Dallas–Fort Worth
KJ Custom Screens & Outdoor Living designs and installs motorized retractable screens throughout North Texas, including:
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Dallas, University Park, and Highland Park: Dallas motorized screens
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Fort Worth, Southlake, Keller, and Westlake: Fort Worth motorized patio shades
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Frisco and Prosper: Frisco motorized screens and Prosper motorized screens
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Plano, McKinney, Allen, Irving, Arlington, Garland, Grapevine, Flower Mound, and surrounding communities
Get an Accurate Price for Your Patio
The fastest way to know your exact cost is a free in-home consultation. We’ll measure each opening, show you fabric and color samples, walk through motor and control options, and give you a detailed quote. There’s no guessing or surprise add-ons.
Call (972) 670-3670 or (888) 839-2453, or schedule your free consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a motorized screen cost in Dallas?
At KJ Custom, a 10′ x 10′ motorized screen, professionally installed, starts at about $4,100 to $4,500. Larger openings, premium fabrics, and smart controls increase the price. Most DFW patios with two or more openings fall between about $8,000 and $25,000.
Are motorized screens priced per square foot or per opening?
Motorized screens are usually priced per opening, based on width and height. Each opening needs its own housing, tracks, and motor, so the per-opening price is the most accurate way to budget.
How much does it cost to screen in a porch with motorized screens?
A porch or patio with three openings typically runs about $12,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on size, fabric, and controls. Adding a wind sensor, smart controls, or recessed housings increases the total.
Are motorized screens worth the cost?
For most North Texas homeowners, yes. Motorized screens block mosquitoes, heat, and glare, so you can use your patio for more of the year. They’re also far more convenient to use daily than manual screens.
Do motorized screens hold up to Texas wind?
Zipper-track screens are designed to stay locked in their side tracks during gusty conditions. Adding a wind sensor raises the screens automatically when winds get too strong, which helps protect them during storms.
