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lauriemaiser

do new construction windows come with screens?

6 years ago

We have been in our new custom home for 5 weeks, and we are getting the runaround from our builder about insect screens. We have Marvin Integrity All-Ultrex windows.

Did your new construction home come with screens? We assumed most did and are getting rather frustrated to say the leas.

Comments (38)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The brochure says these come with half screens, but full screens are available. Does your contract address the windows and screens? I changed all the windows during my reno and the new windows all came with screens, but my contract specifically said that screens were included.

  • 6 years ago

    Most window suppliers provide screens along with the windows you buy. At least mine did.

  • 6 years ago

    No, it doesn’t say one way or the other. I’m not even sure what a half screen is - maybe for our Single and Double hung windows, but we also have a quite a few casement windows.

    They just aren’t replying one way or the other - it’s like they honestly don’t know - and this company has been building for decades!

  • 6 years ago

    Oh, that’s great to hear. I’ve been wondering if that’s the situation here and they are scrambling to figure out where the heck they put them. We literally took possession the day our governor announced the stay at home order - we have yet to have a walkthrough and I think there were quite a few little details that they didn’t address because of that. They are a reputable builder, though, so I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. Times are weird and we all need to cut folks some slack. But I just wanted a gut check if we needed to start preparing to pay for screens!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    More info: my husband says they may have been extra.

  • 6 years ago

    From the Marvin catalog listing for Elevate windows-

    "Screens for the Elevate collection feature a durable, low maintenance aluminum surround and non-corrosive charcoal gray fiberglass mesh for consistent performance. Choose from the standard full screen or optional half screen. For cohesive curb appeal, all exterior screens are available in colors to match Ultrex® Fiberglass exteriors."

  • 6 years ago

    I saw that, too, but I didn’t know if that meant they were available or if they were included with the window.

  • 6 years ago

    Screens are not automatically included with most new construction windows. They need to be order separately.

  • 6 years ago

    When talking to a window guy, we had to specify we wanted screens, it wasn't automatically included. Here in Southern CA you can actually get away with minimal screens since we don't really have mosquitoes. We have no screens on our back french doors that stay open most of the time.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Whether or not they are ordered separately I never seen a case where they were not provided on a new build or remodel. I would understand if you were supplying/buying the windows. Maybe there is something written in the fine print of the contract but it seems ridiculous to me.

  • 6 years ago

    Chispa we are in MN, here the mosquito is pretty much the state bird. 😂. Definitely screens required.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    They really should have been included. I know they are required by code in certain parts of MN. Try to work with your builder 1st, id that doesn’t work I’d talk to your building inspector. Might want check your contracts or agreement to see if this was not included first. I have never seen this before , I have used windows that do not come with screens before but I go over the options with the owner as to what type they want and what the screen material would be. Definitely not the norm in MN.

  • 6 years ago

    We just had this conversation with our future builder. He told us upfront that screens are extra for the windows he received quotes on. One was Marvin. I believe the other was Pella.


    Our Anderson windows came with screens almost 14 years ago. As did the MW windows we had in the prior home before that. We took them off almost immediately. I don't like the look.


    I think I would like them on my triple kitchen casement window. Or at least have the option to put them in. I'll be sure to order those outer screens.

  • 6 years ago

    Our screens were included in the cost. I can't imagine a new home without them.

  • 6 years ago

    If you have to buy screens consider stainless mesh over the fiberglass listed above as standard. The mesh wire is a smaller diameter and you can see through them better.

  • 6 years ago

    "and we are getting the runaround from our builder about insect screens."


    He did not have them on his quote ass he probably missed they were not on it, told you they were included and now he has to order and pay for them and does not want to shell out the $1000.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    There are many available window options like color, glass type, impact resistance, mullion type & pattern, fall prevention stops, screens, etc. With a little luck, you get what you order and no one throws the screens away.

  • 6 years ago

    Mill workman - very likely scenario

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I gave Marvinwubdiws. Standard is a full screen. One pays extra fir 1/2 screens (which I did). Seems counterintuitive, no?

  • 6 years ago

    I've seen our builder throw away the screens on several of the homes here.

  • 6 years ago

    Even with Marvin Anglophilia the screens are special order. Marvin does not include them automatically, Lonesome still has to check the boxes on the order for the screens in general and then the surround type, wire type, etc.

  • 6 years ago

    And cpartist, thats what caused the screens to be a separate line item. The lumber yard or window store did not want to store them, the builder did not want them on site or taking up space at his shop, etc, etc, etc...............................

  • 6 years ago

    Usually in New Construction screens are ordered, shipped, and installed at the end of the job before the closing, this way they don't get damaged while construction is in progress.

    Some manufactures send screens with the windows and you take them out and store them in a safe place to prevent damage, but usually more expensive windows like Anderson, Pella, etc they will ship the screen upon builder's request.

    That being said, some builders will list screens on the brochure that listing the items included with the house and that list usually comes with the contract... some builders don't include the screens and charge extra.

    Check your paperwork you should have a list specifying included items and see if "screens" wording is included on that list if not, you or your attorney can argue the fact that anyone would assume the screen is part of the window and will be included.... unless there is something in writing saying "there is an extra charge for the screens"...If there is no writing you have a legitimate argument.

    Good luck

  • 6 years ago

    following

  • 6 years ago

    We also had to specify the screens. There are some windows for which we didn't order screens.

  • 6 years ago

    Half screens are included. Full screens are extra.

  • 6 years ago

    "Half screens are included. Full screens are extra."


    From whom?

  • 6 years ago

    We specified aluminum half screens, our builder said grasshoppers eat the fiberglass ones. But with our windows... full fiberglass screens were standard. You just have to look at your invoice or at the sales brochure. Ours had a list of everything included on a standard "____" series window.

  • 6 years ago

    For our build in Florida, we are specifying no screens on our PGT impact windows. Many of the windows open into a large screened enclosure and our lifestyle is such they we don’t open windows due to the high relative humidity even in the winter and shoulder seasons.

  • 6 years ago

    we had to pick material for our marvin screens. but i have no idea if half or full as they aren't in yet. the screens and hardware are last i guess.

  • 6 years ago

    Well, the screens showed up today, with still no word from the builder. Their communication is pretty terrible, and we could wish we had been given some options in choosing them, but at least they got them to us and didn’t try to get out of it!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Laurie that seems to happen often that you don’t get options. Seems like builders go with what they are used to! And then as the customer you feel a bit cheated when you find out you weren’t provided with option.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Typically in a custom build the builder gives you options when options are available but still should inform you Regardless. when buying hime not built to your Specifications you get what the house comes with. Either way screens should be included unless you were the ones ordering the windows yourself or you were playing the general contractor. Glad you got your screens , I would make sure they are All there and not damaged.

  • 4 years ago

    Wow I JST GOT NEW WIN FOR MY NEW BUILD & BTW THEY WERE ORDERED IN OCT 2021 IN BLACK & I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE ALL HAV SCREENS SO I KINDA THOUGHT DAM IT CAUSE U CANT SEE CLEARLY OUT THE WINDOW BUT I GUESS IT GOOD

  • 4 years ago

    I try not too BOTHER my BUILDER very BUSY the guy sleeps 3 hr a day hope HOME is done BUILD ING IN NC

  • 4 years ago

    Screens are all removable.

  • 4 years ago

    It all depends on the company you buy the windows from, but usually, the windows come with the screens. In my opinion, screens on windows are an efficient way of getting rid of mosquitoes. I live near a river and mosquitos are a big problem here. I also have used the services of a mosquito control company. It helped, but the next season, the mosquitoes came back. It is why I installed better window screens, so my house would be more protected from mosquitos when I open the windows during summer nights.

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