What Type of Window Screen Do I Need For My Project - Qicai Knitting

What Type of Window Screen Do I Need For My Project?

When you’re about to get started on a DIY window screen, screen door, porch enclosure, or other home improvement project, you may just assume that you should use traditional fiberglass screen. However, there are many other types of window screen material available. Keep reading to learn about how to choose the best type of window screen mesh for your project.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

How to Choose the Right Type of Window Screen Mesh?

Choosing the right type of screen can make or break a project. You don’t have to be a screen expert to correctly choose the screen material for your project. Here are some ways to think about the type of screen that could best serve your needs.

The Type of Project

The project that you are working on can help you determine the type of screen you need. For example, the mesh type that you may use to rescreen your bedroom window may be different from the one that you use to create screen panels for your porch enclosure. Window screen mesh can generally be put on a spectrum with visibility on one end and durability on the other – meaning those that offer more visibility may offer less strength against high traffic areas or weather elements. Even if visibility and durability aren’t your primary concerns, our benefits of specialty mesh are important to consider depending on your project.

Window screens - Those screens that provide the most visibility are the most popular

Screen doors - Mesh types that are more durable, generally offer more longevity, especially if it’s in a high-traffic area or you have pets or children

Porch enclosures - More durable screen mesh that can withstand the weather and other elements is recommended but it can depend on what you would like to experience with your porch.

What You Need Your Screen To Do For You

Fiberglass window screen will provide insect protection but specialty window screen mesh types can offer that and more. Metro Screenworks specializes in providing screens that can offer more value. Mesh types that we have include:

Solar protection

Allergen filtering

Durability against pets

Better aesthetics

No-see-um protection

And more

Though buying a window screen material that can provide more benefits may cost a little more than traditional fiberglass screening material, the return on investment is well worth it.

Budget

Budget is another factor that can help you decide which window screen type will work best for your DIY home improvement project. Thankfully, when you shop with Metro Screenworks, you can also enjoy affordable prices as well as the benefits of shopping with Affirm. Learn more about how Affirm makes it easy to buy the materials you need for your home improvement projects when you shop our site.

Final Product

Ultimately, the type of screen that you need for your project is up to you: you know what you want the final product to look like and how you want it to look and perform. However, if you aren’t sure what you need, check out our window screen material buying guide and/or you can always contact us. Our window screen and screen door experts would love to help you find the screen products that will help you make your house into the home you have always dreamed of.

Learn more about our products when you visit Metro Screenworks.com. 

Choosing the Right Screen Mesh for Your Screen Door Project

Screen doors are a great option for those looking to enhance their front, patio, or sliding doors without breaking the bank. But choosing the best materials — from frame material, mesh, and hardware — for a screen door can be challenging.

Whether you’re remodeling and installing new screen doors or repairing your existing doors, there are many mesh options on the market today, and it can be overwhelming trying to determine the best material for your project.

These are some important questions to ask yourself as part of your decision-making process:

Key Questions to Ask

How important is maintaining aesthetics and your view of the outside?

What safety concerns do you have?

What size mesh will you need? Consider your location and common species of insects in your area.

What type, quality, and color of mesh material will you need?

Aesthetics and View

In settings where screen doors are installed, consider not only keeping insects out but also creating, preserving, or enhancing the view to the outside. In most cases, choosing a mesh that is as invisible as possible is the first priority.

Then there is ventilation to consider. In locations like the main entry where swinging screen doors are an appearance issue, retractable screen doors are an option. Often, the main door provides the only fresh air on one home side.

Retractable screen doors are an affordable, practical option to swinging screen doors. Researching manufacturers will point the way to the retractable screen door that fits your style, functional needs and budget.

Safety Concerns

Most don’t take safety into account when considering screen doors, but accidents are common. — people and pets often walk through screen doors. 

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Sanxing.

Additional reading:
12 Reasons You Should Use Wire Mesh Panels - Louis E. Page, Inc.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing gabion boxes
Why is aluminium fly screens for windows Better?

One product addresses safety uniquely. VisiScreen has a woven density marker invisible from a distance that becomes visible up close, preventing walk-throughs. Genius offers VisiScreen on its Milano retractable doors. 

Mesh Size

Screen doors keep bugs out if the mesh is fully intact. Mesh size depends on the number of openings per inch — a #4 mesh has four openings per square inch, while a #16 mesh has 16 openings. 

Mesh gauge refers to the size of the openings. Standard 18 x 16 .011 diameter mesh blocks common insects on doors. Sometimes a standard mesh block isn’t small enough to block the tiniest of bugs. In Florida, 20 x 20.013 mesh stops tiny bugs but reduces airflow and light passage. You should match the mesh to the pests common in your region. Hardware stores and manufacturers can provide guidance on which mesh is most suitable for blocking the smallest of critters from entering your home.

Material Considerations

You have many material options to consider when choosing the right mesh for your screen door. Vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, and specialty meshes each have their own pros and cons for your screen door.

Vinyl-coated fiberglass mesh is the standard for doors and windows. It’s easy to install, durable and affordable, and comes in charcoal or gray. Aluminum wire mesh is similar to fiberglass mesh except that it’s more expensive and more durable than fiberglass and comes in charcoal, black or silver options. Fiberglass outsells aluminum three to one as it costs about half as much. You can find specialty options like BetterVue, UltraVue, and Super Screen.

Today’s Homeowner Tips

To choose mesh type you should evaluate material pros and cons like durability, longevity, degree of visibility, cost, and installation needs. Contact manufacturers to request free samples to choose the best mesh type for your home.

Installation and Repair

Proper installation and maintenance keep your screen door working its best. From our experience, DIY installation requires basic tools like screwdrivers and snips. If you’re installing mesh from a kit, follow the kit instructions (you can use kits to patch holes inexpensively but for large rips replacement is better). Extra hands can be helpful when maneuvering large pieces of mesh.

Consider hiring a pro if you’re inexperienced, especially for complex jobs like retractable screens. Cost ranges between $150 and $300 depending on the project scope.

So, Is Choosing the Right Screen Mesh Important?

With proper research on climate, home, bugs, and budget, you’ll be able to choose the proper customized mesh for your screen door needs. Durable, quality mesh provides years of safety, security, and comfort and adds to your home’s aesthetics. 

FAQs About Screen Door Mesh

What is the most popular screen mesh material?

Vinyl-coated fiberglass is most common for doors and windows. It balances durability, visibility, installation, and cost.

How do I clean screen mesh?How do I clean screen mesh?

Use a soft-brush vacuum attachment or scrub gently with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive tools.

How much does replacement screen mesh cost?

On average, replacement screen mesh costs $3 to $8 per square foot. DIY kits start around $20. Add $150 to $300 or more to hire a pro installer.

What gauge mesh should I choose?

18 x 16 .011 blocks common insects. Go heavier for smaller bugs. Match the type of screen you choose to your climate’s pests.

Can pets tear screen mesh?

Yes. Use a pet-resistant mesh or secondary pet screen on high-traffic doors. Train pets and trim claws regularly.

How do I fix rips and holes in screen mesh?

Use a patch kit with a spline and tools. Patch with leftover or replacement mesh cut to size. Kits under $10 fix minor damage.

Further Reading

Replacement Window Screen Buying Guide

Window screens keep insects out of your home as well as fresh air and light in. When it’s time to replace worn or torn window screens, we’re here to help you make the right choice from the available screens to fit your home and needs.

Screen Mesh Types
A fiberglass screen inside a white framed window.
Fiberglass screens are flexible, durable plus they resist dents, unraveling, creasing and corrosion. Fiberglass screens provide good air flow as well as good outward visibility with minimal sunlight glare.

Aluminum screens are also durable and don’t tear as easily as fiberglass. They’re rust resistant and won’t sag.

Polyester screens are resistant to tears and more durable than fiberglass. They’re also rust, heat, fade and pet resistant, and work great as solar shades.

Stainless steel screens are an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. They’re corrosion and fire resistant, provide good ventilation and great outward views.

Copper screens are an excellent choice for coastal regions and inland. They’re durable, strong and used for insect screens. Copper screens provide beautiful architectural accents, and you’ll likely see them installed on historic landmark homes.

Screen Properties and Purposes
Elements of a good screen include durability, adequate ventilation, outward visibility and protection from insects. And don’t forget about curb appeal. Some screens can give the windows a dull appearance, while other screens are nearly undetectable from the outside.

Standard screens have a mesh size of 18 by 16, meaning there are 18 squares per inch from the top left corner to the top right corner (also referred to as warp) and 16 squares per inch from the top left corner to the bottom left corner (also referred to as fill).

For porches, patios or pool areas, specialized larger-width screens are available. These are designed to be strong enough to enclose large openings where extra strength is needed across the wider span.

Pet Screens
Before and after of a dog behind a screen.
Pets can unwittingly cause tears and damage to window screens. Pet-resistant screens are designed to be heavy-duty, durable and withstand pet damage.

Solar Screens
The more open the screen’s mesh, the more sunlight and heat that filter into your home. Solar screens provide heat and glare control. They also decrease the ambient temperature indoors by blocking up to 90% of harmful UV rays into your home. This helps protect your furniture, carpet and other fabrics from fading as well as lower energy costs.

No-See-Um Screens
While standard screens work to keep some insects out, others are designed to be more insect repellent. No-see-um screens, also called 20-by-20 mesh, are tightly woven screens typically made from fiberglass. The fine mesh protects against tiny insects, like no-see-ums, biting midges, gnats and other miniscule insects, while still allowing airflow in. It’s especially helpful in coastal or marsh areas.

Privacy Screens
For privacy and visibility, screens with fine wire (such as solar screens) offer a retreat from prying eyes during the day without sacrificing outward visibility.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit window screen supplier.