By Jose L. Siandre, owner of Made in the Shade North Jersey. Veteran-owned. Serving Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Essex and Warren counties. Last updated September 30, 2026.
On our recent New Jersey jobs, exterior roller shades for patios cost $328 to $934 per shade. Larger screens cost far more: about $2,305 for a 144 by 106 inch cable-guided screen, and about $7,479 per opening for zipper screens on large jobs. All figures are product only, before installation.
Retractable screen prices
Screens are priced by the opening, not by a standard size. These figures come from our own invoices, April 2025 to September 2026.
| Screen | Price on our jobs |
|---|---|
| Exterior roller shades (open roller, patio) | $328 to $934 per shade |
| Cable-guided screen, 144 x 106 inches | About $2,305, roughly $21 per square foot |
| Zipper screens on large jobs | About $7,479 per opening |
| 40 foot pentagon screen system | About $5,167 per unit |
Read these as ranges, not a price sheet. Compare quotes size for size, because a small open roller and a large zipper screen are different products.
Free guide
Chapter 10 has the screen and awning price tables, plus the questions to ask about wind ratings. Get the free New Jersey window treatment buyer’s guide.
What a retractable screen does
A retractable screen is a fabric screen that rolls down over a patio opening. It cuts sun and glare, and it keeps you outdoors when the sun is low. When you do not need it, it rolls away. Our earlier post on motorized retractable screens in North Jersey covers the benefits and control options.
What moves the price
- Screen system. Open roller, cable-guided and zipper screens are different builds at different prices.
- Size. Price rises with the opening, roughly by the square foot on the cable-guided screen above.
- Fabric grade. Ask for it in writing.
- Wind sensors and motor options. Both change the total.
Screens or awnings?
A screen covers a vertical opening. An awning covers overhead space. Many patios use one or the other, and some use both. If you are deciding between them, compare the ranges above with our awning prices and ask a designer to look at how the sun reaches your patio.
How to read a screen quote
- the screen system: open roller, cable-guided or zipper
- the exact size of each opening
- the manufacturer and fabric grade
- the wind rating, in writing
- any wind sensor, motor or remote, listed as its own line
- installation, shown separately, with any electrical work
Reading the price per square foot
The cable-guided screen above came to roughly $21 per square foot. That number is a check, not a rule. Small openings cost more per square foot than large ones, and a zipper system prices differently from a cable-guided one. Use it to spot a quote that is far out of line, then ask why.
Retractable screen questions
What is the difference between a cable-guided screen and a zipper screen?
A cable-guided screen runs the fabric along steel cables. A zipper screen locks the fabric edges into side tracks, which holds it steadier in wind. Ask which system a quote uses, because the two are priced differently.
Does the price include installation?
No. The figures on this page are product only, before installation. Installation is billed separately.
How do screens compare with awnings on price?
A small exterior roller shade starts at a few hundred dollars per shade, while large screens run into the thousands per opening. Retractable awnings ran $3,889 to $11,711 on our jobs. See our retractable awning price guide for the size-by-size table.
What should I ask about wind?
Ask for the manufacturer, fabric grade and wind rating in writing. Wind sensors, fabric grade and motor options change the price, so compare quotes size for size.
Price your own opening
A free in-home consultation measures your patio and gives you a written quote. See our outdoor shading solutions, then book a free consultation or call (973) 833-1612.
