Sullivan Screens in Chattanooga: Custom Window and Door Screens for Retrofit and New Installation
Sullivan Screens is a local screen manufacturer and installer specializing in custom-fit window and door screens for Chattanooga homes and commercial properties. The shop builds screens to specification rather than selling stock sizes, which means frames fit existing openings without gaps or binding. They handle both retrofit installations on older homes and new construction orders.
What Sullivan Screens actually does
Sullivan Screens manufactures aluminum and fiberglass screens in a workshop setting and installs them on-site. The business operates as a made-to-order service: a technician measures your window or door opening, the shop fabricates the frame and mesh, and a crew returns to hang it. This approach differs sharply from buying pre-made screens at a big-box retailer, which often require trimming or shimming to fit standard window dimensions.
The shop serves residential clients across Chattanooga and Hamilton County, from Victorian-era homes with non-standard openings to mid-century ranch properties to new construction. They also work on commercial storefronts and office buildings where screen uniformity matters.
Services and pricing
Custom window screens typically run $75 to $150 per screen, depending on size and frame material. Larger patio door screens cost $200 to $350. Pricing increases slightly for specialty meshes such as pet-resistant (for cat or dog claws) or solar-reduction screens. Rush orders incur a 15 to 20 percent upcharge; standard turnaround is five to ten business days from measure to installation.
Sullivan Screens also repairs existing screens. A typical repair (patching a hole, re-tensioning mesh, or replacing a frame corner) costs $25 to $60. Full re-screening of a damaged frame runs $40 to $90 depending on size.
The shop does not charge a separate measuring fee; that cost is absorbed into the final quote. Installation labor is included in the quoted price for most residential work. Large commercial jobs may require a separate labor estimate.
How Sullivan Screens compares to other Chattanooga options
Big-box retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's stock pre-sized screens that fit common window dimensions, typically priced $15 to $50. These work well if your windows match standard measurements, but homes built before 1980 or with custom openings often have frames that require trimming or cause poor seal. Installing a stock screen that does not fit your opening invites bugs and dust leakage.
General hardware stores and discount retailers sell even cheaper screens ($8 to $20) with lower build quality; mesh tears easily and frames warp in Chattanooga's humidity.
Local glass and screen shops beyond Sullivan Screens include a handful of independents, but many focus primarily on glass repair and treat screens as secondary work. Sullivan Screens operates as a dedicated screen business, meaning faster turnaround and higher specialization.
Choose Sullivan Screens if your windows are non-standard, if you want pet-resistant or specialty mesh, or if you value precise fit. Choose retail if your home has typical vinyl windows and you accept a loose fit or minor trimming. Choose a general handyman service only if cost is the absolute priority and you are willing to troubleshoot fit issues yourself.
Who Sullivan Screens suits and who it does not
This service fits homeowners in older Chattanooga neighborhoods with original wood or steel-frame windows, families with dogs or cats that need reinforced screening, and anyone building new who wants matching screens throughout. It also serves rental property managers who need durable screens on multiple units.
It does not suit renters without landlord permission, since installation involves permanent hardware. It is overkill for someone who needs one or two screens temporarily; retail pre-made screens are faster for that scenario. Anyone on an extremely tight budget should comparison-shop retail options first.
What the first visit involves
Call or visit in person to discuss your project. A technician will schedule a measuring appointment, typically within three to five business days. They arrive with a tape measure, note the frame condition, and discuss mesh options (standard, pet-resistant, solar-reduction). You receive a written quote via phone or email the next business day. Upon approval, the shop fabricates and schedules installation, usually within one to two weeks. Installation typically takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on the number of screens.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Sullivan Screens operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited Saturday availability by appointment. The workshop is located on the north side of Chattanooga; parking is available on-site. Call ahead to confirm availability before dropping by for a walk-in estimate.
Measuring and installation happen at your home or business, not at the shop. Allow the technician a clear path to all openings and 15 to 20 minutes per window.
Sullivan Screens fills a real gap for Chattanooga residents with older homes or specific screening needs that stock retail cannot answer. Precise fit eliminates the frustration of insects finding their way around ill-fitting frames, and custom mesh options make screens functional for pet owners and those in high-sun exposures.
