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On a hot summer day, an open window or door goes a long way to help keep a space cool.
But while providing air circulation and some relief from the heat, that opening becomes problematic when what&#;s outside starts making its way inside. For insects, birds, leaves, and large allergens (e.g. those puffballs from a cottonwood tree), an open window or door is an open invitation into a building.
A solution for wide-open windows dating back to the late s, screens keep an element of separation from the great outdoors. Like most window accessories, screens are not a one-size-fits-all product. There are several different types of window screens, each boasting different benefits for your commercial project.
5 Types of Window Screens
A window screen&#;s mesh material makes a big difference in selecting a mesh that lets you actually enjoy an open window. Of the different types of screens on the market -- all of which prevent pests from entering a space without significantly impeding airflow -- the most popular types of screens include:
- Aluminum
- Fiberglass
- Polyester
- Stainless steel
- Copper-bronze and brass
Have a window or door that needs a screen?
Explore our available window screen options and pricing:
1. Aluminum Screens
Sturdy and strong, aluminum screens are as functional as they are long-lasting.
Boasting durability and low weight, this window screen material type allows for both air and natural light to freely enter a space. At the same time, aluminum screens require minimal maintenance and cleaning and resist rust and corrosion.
Of the different types of metal screens, aluminum window screens are the most common. They come in traditional silver or a charcoal finish.
Because of their reflectivity, silver aluminum screens reduce visibility into a space -- an important consideration for those who want a privacy window screen mesh.
2. Fiberglass Screens
One of the most popular screen types for residential windows and doors, fiberglass window screens are designed for function.
Allowing air to flow into a room with little obstruction, fiberglass screens, such as Phifer&#;s UltraVue, also keep unwanted outdoor nuisances (insects) where they belong: outside.
Though a cheaper option than other window screen materials, fiberglass mesh screens can still resist certain types of damage during their useful life, such as:
- Dents
- UV ray degradation
- Rot and decay
- Brittleness from extreme temperatures
What sets fiberglass screens apart is their flexibility. When pushed against, fiberglass mesh stretches without immediately tearing. Its pliability preserves your investment.
As most fiberglass screens have a protective coating -- usually black -- they do filter sunlight more than other screens. With less sunlight entering a space, a room stays cooler.
3. Polyester
Another non-metal window mesh, polyester screens rank higher on the durability front.
While more expensive than fiberglass screens, polyester screens are worth the extra investment. During manufacturing, polyester screens are covered with a vinyl coating that upgrades their resistance to cuts and rips. Compared to fiberglass, polyester screens are approximately 7x stronger.
Under normal use, polyester screens are almost impossible to tear without a cutting tool. That&#;s why they&#;re ideal in homes with pets -- an overly enthusiastic dog or cat won&#;t be able to easily damage the screen.
4. Stainless Steel
For screens installed in high-traffic areas or frequently used commercial windows and doors, resilience is a must.
Stainless steel screens represent a long-term investment in integrity. Made from one of the strongest metals, these durable window screens stand up to the most common damages to screens, such as:
- Scratches
- Stretching
- Rips
- Corrosion
Even after years of exposure to the elements, stainless steel screens remain as rigid as the day they were installed. In addition to durability, stainless steel screens, such as SeeVue Insect Screen, deliver what you expect from a window mesh:
- Airflow
- A barrier for insects and other nuisances
- An almost unobstructed view of the outside
When manufactured with a thicker-gauge mesh, stainless steel screens provide enhanced security. Tough to cut through and able to withstand impacts, this heavy-duty window screen material stops unwanted intrusions.
5. Copper-Bronze & Brass
Considered specialty window screens, mesh screens made from copper-bronze and brass combine utility and design.
Primarily meant for aesthetic purposes, these screens add a pop of color to a window while still providing ventilation and a see-through barrier to the outside. Both types of screens are commonly used in period homes and historic restorations.
In addition to being visually appealing, copper-bronze and brass screens are rust-resistant, strong, and long-lasting.
Mesh & Strand Size for Screen Performance
While selecting the appropriate screen material is an important consideration for meeting application demands, so too are a screen&#;s mesh and strand size. Both factors impact a screen&#;s performance.
Screen mesh size is a measurement of the holes in a screen. A smaller mesh size means fewer things get through -- including air and light.
Strand size refers to the diameter of each wire comprising a screen mesh. A thicker strand size means more strength and durability. At the same time, thicker strands equal less outward visibility.
Getting the Most From Your Mesh Window Screens
An almost standard part of any window, a screen lets you fully enjoy natural air circulation without having to worry about unpleasant elements from outside getting in. By choosing the right window mesh screen for your commercial project, your screens can do more than keep pests out while letting air in.
Looking for a partner for your next commercial project?
Check out New Angle Beveling's services and capabilities.
(Editor's note: This article was originally published in June and was recently updated).
Window Screen Mesh Buying Guide: Types of Window Screens for Any Project
If you are looking for new or replacement window screens, you may be wondering "what screen is best for windows?" If you have begun researching, you will have likely already found that there are many different types of window screens and even more types of mesh available. For the person unfamiliar with window screen mesh, the number of choices can be overwhelming. Just a few examples include:
Window Screen Mesh Types Explained
Whether you are shopping for
pre-made window screens or bulk window screen material, you have choices. These choices allow you to get more value out of your window screens.
For example, while most screen meshes offer basic insect screening protection, some mesh types will provide more outward visibility (UltraVue 2 and BetterVue) so you can take in the views from the comfort of your home. Other types might provide increased durability against pet and weather damage (pet screen and Super Screen), solar protection (Solar Screen), and air filitering for dust and other allergens (AllergyGuard). Other benefits can include security screening, increased airflow, and defense against tinier insects and no-see-ums.
Below are some of our most popular window screen materials and how they can benefit you.
Fiberglass Screen: Standard Window Screen
Fiberglass window screen is the economy choice for window screens, screen doors, and porch enclosures. It is affordable and comes standard with most windows that are sold with a window screen.
Benefits of Fiberglass
- Standard screen choice
- Budget-friendly
- Insect protection
Fiberglass Screen-Best Uses
Fiberglass can be used anywhere in your home, but it is best used for window screens. It does not provide the durability or strength that most people need for their sliding screen doors as well as porch screen enclosures.
Fiberglass is an economy option for most of our screen products. Shop our
pre-framed window screens, sliding screen doors, porch panels, and fiberglass screen rolls.
Aluminum Screen: Tight Window Screen Mesh
Aluminum window screen offers enhanced durability when compared to fiberglass window screen, though it is less strong than stainless steel. It is sometimes called "tight" window screen because it can be easier to keep tight than fiberglass.
Benefits of Aluminum Screen
- Keeps screen tight
- Easy to clean
- More durable than fiberglass
Aluminum Screen &#; Best Uses
Aluminum screen mesh is best used in sliding screen doors but can also be used in window screens. It offers increased durability. For best visibility, choose charcoal or black aluminum screen.
Shop
aluminum window screens, aluminum sliding screen doors, or aluminum screen rolls online.
Super Screen: 3x Stronger Than Fiberglass Mesh Screen
For added strength and durability, Super Screen is your go-to option. Made from vinyl-coated polyester, this top-of-the-line screen replacement is three times stronger than standard fiberglass screen mesh.
Benefits of Super Screen
- UV-tolerant to retain color and strength
- Will not flake or fade
- Weather-resistant
- Pet-resistant
- Insect protection
Phifer Super Screen &#; Best Uses
Super Screen is a great option for patio screen mesh and is sometimes called "pool enclosure screen" because it is a popular choice for pool and porch screen mesh. Even so, it can also be used in
screen doors and window screen. Because of Super Screen's strength and increased visibility compared to pet screen (see below), it is an excellent pet screen for windows.
Put simply, Super Screen can be used anywhere in your home where you want increased durability. We offer fixed-panel
replacement window screens with Super Screen, sliding screen doors, and bulk screen rolls.
Pet-Resistant Screen: 7x Stronger than Fiberglass Screen
If you've ever given up on having screens because your pets destroy them almost as fast as you can replace them, pet screen may be the perfect solution. Our pet-resistant screen is made of vinyl-coated polyester and is 7 times stronger than fiberglass.
Benefits of pet screen
- Increased durability and strength
- Can withstand pet paws, claws, and teeth
- Comes in multiple colors for many types of projects
- Insect protection
- Extremely weather-resistant
Pet screen- Best Uses
Pet-resistant screen can be used anywhere in your home. However, because of its decreased visibility (due to its enhanced strength), most customers do not use it for their new or replacement window screens. Many, though, do use it in their screen doors, porch enclosure panels, and catio/pet enclosure structures. We offer a
variety of colors to match your home's architecture, so a pet enclosure or screen enclosure enhances or blends in with the aesthetic of your home.
Pet screen reviews
One customer who gave our pet-resistant screen five stars said:
"Our six cats like to climb the screened walls of their catio. After nearly a year of abuse, there are no signs of wear. One day I looked out to see all three of our big male cats hanging on one section, determined to get a bird on the other side. No damage occurred. Truly a remarkable fabric and well worth the expense. The linen color has not faded in the West Texas sun and matches our beige stucco perfectly."
Shop our
pet window screens, sliding screen doors, bulk screen rolls, or learn more about all of our pet products and accessories &#; we also offer pet screen doors!
UltraVue & BetterVue: High-Visibility Window Screen Mesh
If visibility, rather than durability, is your top priority, UltraVue or BetterVue may be the best mesh screen for your project. Both screen types provide the best outward visibility of any screen on the market. UltraVue 2 is best used in window screens, and BetterVue, which is stronger than UltraVue, is best for screen doors and porch enclosures.
Benefits of UltraVue and BetterVue Screens
- Best outward visibility
- Insect protection
- Increased airflow
- Water-shedding technology
- Dirt-resistant to prevent grime build-up
- Improved light transmittance in low-E glass windows
- GREENGUARD-certified
- Made in the USA
In addition to increased outward visibility during sunny conditions, UltraVue and BetterVue feature water-shedding technology that keeps water from building up in your screen during wet weather conditions, and they also keep dirt build-up at bay for long-term visibility.
High-Visibility Screens &#; Best Uses
High-visibility screens can be used anywhere. Many people with million-dollar views put UltraVue in their picture windows, but anyone who wants crystal clear visibility will benefit from UltraVue. As mentioned, UltraVue is best for window screens but can be installed anywhere. BetterVue is best for places where greater durability is needed.
Shop our
invisible window screens, bulk rolls of BetterVue, and our sliding screen doors &#; choose your mesh type at checkout.
Solar Screen: Sun-Blocking Window Screen Mesh
When energy efficiency, sun glare, heat, or sun damage are issues, the it's time to shop solar screen. Solar screen comes in various strengths to block a percentage of the sun's UV rays and light. Benefits of solar screen include:
Benefits of solar screen
- Cooler interior temperatures with sun-blocking screens
- UV protection
- Excellent outward visibility
- Pet-resistant screen (when buying 80%-95% sun protection)
- Excellent insect protection
- Daytime privacy
Types of solar screen
The stronger the solar protection, the darker and more opaque the screen will appear. Use the information below as a guide for choosing the right solar screen. You can also always
contact us with your questions.
- 65% Solar Insect Screen- Blocks 65% of the sun's harmful UV rays and is a 20x30 mesh count. Screen openness is approximately 32%.
- 80% Solar Screen- Heavy-duty, pet-resistant with 80% sun and UV blockage. Openness is approximately 25%.
- 90% Solar Screen- Heavy-duty, pet-resistant with 90% UV blockage. Openness is approximately 10%.
Solar screen &#; Best Uses
Solar screen fabric can be used anywhere in your home where you want to mitigate the effects of the sun - most commonly in window screens, sliding screen doors, and your porch enclosure.
We offer
UV-blocking window screens, also called "dark window screens," as well as solar screen rolls, and sliding screen doors. Shop all these products online and contact us with any questions!
AllergyGuard: Window Filter Screen
Nothing is worse than not being able to enjoy a beautiful day because your allergies are acting up. AllergyGuard has unique filtering technology that blocks pollen, pollution, dirt, dust, bacteria, and more from entering your space - meaning you can breathe freely with the windows wide open.
Benefits of AllergyGuard filter screens
- 3-layer air filtration prevents fine dust, pollen, bacteria, smoke, viruses, and more
- Blocks 95% of rain and water spray to help prevent water damage and mold
- Corrosive-resistant
- Insect protection
- 50% thinner than a standard window screen
- Blocks 69% of UV light and 50% of infrared light
- Easy to clean with just a rag and water- no soap required
AllergyGuard Window Screen &#; Best Uses
AllergyGuard can be used anywhere in your home, but keep in mind that because of its filtering structure, it may affect the visibility of your window, door, or enclosure. Remember, you don't have to use the same type of screen everywhere in your home - you can mix it up.
Shop our air quality solutions when you shop AllergyGuard
window screen filter screens, AllergyGuard window screen filter screen doors, and our AllergyGuard screen rolls.
Brite Bronze: Copper Window Screen
Brite Bronze is a copper screen mesh material that is designed for use on any home or business but is a great choice for vintage and historic buildings or homes on the coast. When first installed, it is a bright bronze color that fades to a deeper patina with time and wear.
Benefits of Brite Bronze Screen Mesh
- Made from 90% copper and 10% zinc
- Weathers to a dark bronze color
- Rust- and corrosion-resistant
- Controls pests
- Adds and elegant and nostalgic look to your home
Brite Bronze Screen &#; Best Uses
Use Brite Bronze copper screen anywehre that you would install standard window screening in your home or business. It coordinated with copper architecture elements such as roofing, dormers, and gutters to give your home a nostalgic, elevated look.
Shop
Brite Bronze copper window screens and copper mesh screen rolls, and contact us with any questions. We also offer rolls of pure copper screen that can be used in RFI shielding, Faraday cages, and other technical applications.
No-See-Um Screen: Keep Tiny Bugs Out
Tiny mesh can be installed anywhere in your home or business where you have window screens, a sliding screen, or porch panels. Because of its tight weave, it offers strength and durability for all applications and makes a suitable choice for pool, porch, and patio enclosures.
Buy
no-see-um mesh rolls or shop our replacement window screens and sliding screen doors and select tiny mesh at checkout.
Stainless Steel Screen: Secure & Strong Window Screen
We offer a couple stainless steel options. SeeVue Stainless Steel mesh is a fine mesh designed to provide enhanced durability and excellent visibility with other benefits.
We also offer 0.23-diameter stainless steel screen that is the most weather- and pet-resistant screen available. We use this mesh to construct our security screens that are also vandal-proof and can provide enhanced window safety and golf ball protection depending on the construction of your window screen. The 0.23 stainless steel mesh screen is a great option to do the following:
Benefits of 0.23 Stainless Steel Mesh Screen
- Stop glass breakage from rocks and vandals
- Increase window safety for kids and pets
- Prevent broken glass from golf balls
- Provides good visibility (black color)
- Available with various frame profiles- fixed, hinged, latches, key locks, and more
- Multiple frame and screen color options
Stainless Steel Screen &#; Best Uses
SeeVue can be used anywhere you would install window screen mesh and is an ideal option for coastal homes. Stainelss steel mesh screen comes in mill (silver) color as well as black, and is best for use in window screens to provide more durability and security. It can be used in sliding screen doors as well, making it the ultimate pet-resistant window screen. Commercial clients sometimes use it as a particle filter as well.
Shop security screens and rolls of mill and black stainless steel window screen mesh. For window screen applications, we suggest black, as a mill finish can be highly reflective and decrease visibility.
Which Screen Do I Choose?
With so many choices, it may be difficult to choose which mesh type is best. The easiest way to think about it is to ask "Which do you need more &#; durability or visibility?" Most screen mesh types offer one quality more than the other. In other words, if it is more durable, it is likely offers less visibility, and visa versa.
Mix & Match Window Screen Types
You can also mix and match the screen types that you buy based on application and location. Use a more visible screen in your windows, like UltraVue, and use a more durable screen like BetterVue or Super Screen in your screen door and porch enclosure.
Another option is to use AllergyGuard in your bedroom windows to avoid waking up with allergy symptoms in the morning, but to use UltraVue or security screens elsewhere in your home for best visibility or improved safety.
Contact Us With Any Questions
If you are unsure which type of window screen mesh you need, read up on our latest blogs or give us a call. The screen experts at Metro Screenworks would love to help you. You can also request a sample of any of our screen mesh types to see it before you buy. If you are in the Denver area, stop by our showroom in Highlands Ranch!
Buy Pre-Made Window Screens, Screen Doors, Or Bulk Screen Rolls
We offer pre-made products such as pre-framed window screens and sliding screen doors as well as porch panels for easy installation into your porch enclosure. We also offer bulk window screen material with our screen rolls &#; as well as many other products. If you need a solution, we can help. Shop with Metro Screenworks for high-quality and affordable options that you can count on.
Are you interested in learning more about fiberglass mosquito net? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
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