What Are the Types of Screen Mesh?
Fiberglass Screens
Fiberglass screens provide good air flow as well as good outward visibility with minimal sunlight glare. They're flexible, durable plus they resist dents, unraveling, creasing and corrosion.
Polyester Screens
They're resistant to tears and more durable than fiberglass. Polyester screens are also rust, heat, fade and pet resistant, and work great as solar shades. They are resistant to salt water, making them perfect for coastal installation.
Aluminum Screens
These screens are durable and don’t tear as easily as fiberglass. Aluminum screens are also rust resistant and won’t sag.
Stainless Steel Screens
They're an excellent choice for high-traffic areas thanks to their strength. Stainless steel screens are corrosion and fire resistant, provide good ventilation and great outward views.
Copper Screens
These an excellent choice for coastal regions and inland. They’re durable, strong and naturally resistant to rust and corrosion. Copper screens provide beautiful architectural accents, with a warm, reddish-gold tone that develops a patina over time, giving it a classic, antique look.
Screen Properties and Purposes
Elements that make a good screen include durability, adequate ventilation, outward visibility and protection from insects. They will also contribute to your home’s curb appeal. Some screens can give the windows a muted 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 across, from the top left corner to the top right corner (also referred to as warp) and 16 squares per inch down, 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
Pets and other animals can unwittingly cause tears and damage to screens. Pet-resistant screens are designed to be more durable and withstand pet damage, especially dogs and cats. The screen fabric is made from vinyl-coated polyester which is stronger than regular fiberglass or aluminum screens. Although slightly thicker than regular screen fabric, pet screens still allow positive airflow and visibility. They can easily be installed into standard screen frames.
Screen doors are the most vulnerable to rips and tears, so pet screens for doors are highly recommended. Window screens and porch enclosures are other common installation areas.
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, curtains, and other fabrics from fading as well as lower energy costs. It also reduces the glare on TV and computer screens.
Solar screens are made from vinyl-coated polyester or fiberglass mesh, and are available in different densities (ex. 70%, 80%, 90%) so you can choose how much sunlight you want to block. They can be installed as a regular screen or in a motorized version for as needed use.
No-See-Um Screens
While standard screens can block some insects, others are specifically engineered for enhanced insect protection. No-see-um screens—also known as 20-by-20 mesh—are tightly woven, typically from fiberglass, to create a fine barrier. This dense mesh effectively keeps out tiny pests like no-see-ums, biting midges, gnats, and other small insects, all while maintaining airflow. These screens are especially beneficial in coastal or marshy environments where such insects are more prevalent.
Privacy Window Screens
Privacy screens are designed to keep both insects and prying eyes away. Made from tightly woven or coated materials, they limit outside viewing while still allowing those inside to see out. These one-way screens also provide extra UV protection, reducing glare and protecting fabrics and furnishings. Blocking the sun can also help with cooling costs in your home. These screens are best suited for ground-level windows and houses in close proximity to neighbors.
Screen Patch and Repair
Screen patch and repair kits, either self-adhesive or non-adhesive, are great for repairing small holes. Larger tears or holes are repairable; however, you may want to consider replacing the entire screen for better aesthetics. You can find replacement screens that will allow you to keep your current window screen frame, based on its size.
Read Repair or Upgrade a Window Screen for more on repairing a window screen.
Screen Repair Tools
- Spline is a vinyl cord that’s used to secure the screen material to the screen frame.
- A screen rolling tool is used to gently roll the spline into the screen frame. Many spline application tools have a convex roller (used to push the screen down into the grooves) on one end and a concave roller (used to push the spline into the channel and lock the screen in place) on the other.
- A flathead screwdriver is a useful tool to use to gently pry up the old spline in preparation for adding new spline and screen material.
- A utility knife can cut screen overhang and excess spline.
- Heavy-duty tape secures and immobilizes the frame to the work surface as you insert the screen.
Screen Cleaning and Replacement
Cleaning window screens is easy to do and will help extend the life and look of your screens. Remove the screens from your windows, making note of which screens go where. Use a vacuum or soft brush to remove dust, pollen, and debris. A few drops of dishwashing liquid in water can provide a good cleaning solution for the screens. You can also find spray and wipe screen cleaners. Use a soft cloth to scrub down both sides of the screens. Use a garden hose with sprayer to completely rinse the screens. Allow them to air dry before reinstalling. Make sure to clean your screens twice a year, or more often if you live in a dusty or pollen-heavy region.
When thinking about replacing window screens, there are a couple of ways to proceed. Professional installation will ensure a proper replacement and fit, especially for large windows and custom screens, but can be expensive on a per window basis. Screen replacement can be done as a DIY project but will require time and materials. It will be less costly than professional installation, however. For example, 100 square feet of screen can range from $20-100 per window, depending on the type of material, such as aluminum, fiberglass, or polyester. It also depends on the features that you need, like rust resistance, pet resistance, mildew resistance, heat resistance and glare resistance.
Learn more about window replacement and installation with our articles Types of Windows: Replacement Window Buying Guide and Window Replacement and Installation.