Choosing the Right Screen Mesh for Your Screen Door ...

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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.

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?

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

Qunkun supply professional and honest service.

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

Complete Guide to Insect Screen Mesh Materials

Comparison of Insect Screen Mesh Materials

Strength, durability, cost and outward visibility are some of the considerations to keep in mind when choosing mesh material. The right mesh material will depend on which factors matter more to you.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is one of the most commonly used mesh materials for insect screens. The reason for its popularity is simple – it is inexpensive and offers good outward visibility. Fiberglass is also lightweight, flexible and corrosion-resistant. Some manufacturers may coat the fiberglass with PVC to improve its strength.

The greatest disadvantage of fiberglass is that it’s not as durable as other mesh materials. It is prone to tearing/fraying at the edges and tends to stretch over time. When exposed to strong sunlight for long periods of time, its strength will deteriorate and discolouration may also occur.

Pros

• Cheap
• Good outward visibility
• Lightweight
• Flexible

Cons

• Prone to tearing/fraying
• Stretches over time
• Not as durable, needs to be replaced more frequently
• Strong UV rays result in discolouration and reduction in strength

Polyester

Polyester mesh has been gaining popularity as an alternative to fiberglass mesh. It is flexible, tear-resistant and less prone to sagging, making it stronger and more durable. It is usually also coated with vinyl, which serves as an additional protective barrier. Polyester mesh coated with a thicker layer of vinyl is often used in pet screens. The thick vinyl coating grants increased resistance to abrasions, which makes it difficult for pets to damage the screen.

A downside of polyester mesh is that the thick coating results in a decrease in outward visibility. It is also more expensive than fiberglass. And if you’re opting for vinyl-coated polyester, you’ll have to fork out much more.

Pros

• Flexible
• Tear-resistant and less prone to sagging
• Coated polyester is strong and durable
• Vinyl-coated polyester is suitable for pet screens

Cons

• Thick coating can result in decreased outward visibility
• Most expensive out of the non-metal options

Polyethylene (PE) / Polypropylene (PP)

Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are mesh materials that have caught on in recent years. Both plastics are used in a wide variety of applications and are similar in physical properties. When used to make screen mesh, they are commonly available as PE mesh, PP mesh or PE + PP mesh (made with a combination of PE and PP).

Both PE and PP are strong fabrics that are tear-resistant and less prone to sagging. PE is a good electrical insulator and is slightly sturdier than PP. Meanwhile, PP has a higher chemical resistance and is more lightweight. Both are mildew-resistant and offer good outward visibility. Like the polyester mesh, most PE/PP mesh sold are coated to further enhance their strength and durability. Coated PE/PP mesh is also UV-resistant and waterproof.

While PE/PP mesh has many strengths, one drawback is that they are not suitable for pet screens. The coating on PE/PP mesh is not as thick, which makes it less resistant against scratches and damage caused by pets. PE/PP mesh is also more expensive than fiberglass mesh.

Pros

• Strong and durable
• Lightweight
• Good outward visibility
• Tear resistant and less prone to sagging

Cons

• Costs more than fiberglass mesh
• Not suitable for pet screens

Aluminium

Another material used to make screen mesh is aluminium. While popular in countries such as Australia and the USA, aluminium mesh is rarely seen in Singapore. Aluminium mesh offers superior strength and durability as well as excellent outward visibility. It cannot be torn and its rigidity means you won’t have to worry about the screen sagging. The mesh often comes in a protective finish that is corrosion-resistant.

However, as you may have expected, aluminium mesh is very expensive. It may also dent/crease upon heavy impact.

Pros

• Excellent outward visibility
• Strong and durable
• Sturdy, will not sag
• Resistant to high temperatures

Cons

• Very expensive
• Can be permanently dented/creased upon heavy impact

Stainless Steel

Finally, we have the stainless steel mesh. Stainless steel is the strongest and most durable mesh material available. It is rust- and corrosion-resistant, offers excellent outward visibility and will not stretch or sag. Other than its natural colour, the mesh may also be powder-coated for a black finish which further improves visibility.

The main disadvantage of using stainless steel mesh is the cost. It is easily the most expensive mesh of the lot due to the premium material used. Additionally, the mesh may also dent or kink upon heavy impact.

Pros

• Extremely strong and durable
• Excellent outward visibility