How To Choose The Right Window Screen Mesh For Your Home

If you’re looking for new or replacement window screens, you may be wondering “what screen mesh is best for my windows?” If you’ve started researching, you would 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. As they’re available in different materials, sizes, and mesh types, each with its own pros and cons.

Choosing the right one can make a big difference in your comfort level, energy bills, and overall satisfaction.

But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one for your home?

To ensure that you make the most of your investment, it’s important to consider your needs, preferences, and budget. Whether you’re looking for a durable and low-maintenance option or a custom-made design that matches your decor, this guide will help you choose the right window screen mesh for your home.

Types of screen window materials

There are different types of screen window materials available on the market, with fibreglass, aluminium, pet mesh and stainless steel being the most popular options. Below is a list of various types of window screens 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
Lightweight
Flexible

Fiberglass Screen-Best Uses

Fiberglass can be used anywhere in your home, but it is best used for window screens. It is resistant to rust and mildew. Fiberglass does not provide the durability or strength that most people need for their sliding screen doors as well as porch screen enclosures.

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 and is resistant to corrosion and rust and is ideal for high-traffic areas. However, it is more expensive than fibreglass mesh. For best visibility, choose charcoal or black aluminum screen.

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. 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.

BetterVue: High-Visibility Window Screen Mesh

If visibility, rather than durability, is your top priority, BetterVue may be the best mesh screen for your project. BetterVue screen provides some of the best outward visibility of any screens on the market. BetterVue can also be used on screen doors and porch enclosures.

Benefits 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

In addition to increased outward visibility during sunny conditions, BetterVue features water-shedding technology that keeps water from building up in your screen during wet weather conditions, and can also keep dirt build-up at bay for long-term visibility.

Solar Screen: Sun-Blocking Window Screen Mesh

When energy efficiency, sun glare, heat, or sun damage are issues, 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

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. Below is a guide for choosing the right solar screen for your needs.

65% Solar Insect Screen- Blocks 65% of the sun’s harmful UV rays and is a 20×30 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.

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 an elegant and nostalgic look to your home

Brite Bronze Screen — Best Uses

Use Brite Bronze copper screen anywhere that you would install standard window screening in your home or business. Its coordinated with copper architecture elements such as roofing, dormers, and gutters to give your home a nostalgic, elevated look.

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.

Stainless Steel Screen: Secure & Strong Window Screen

Stainless Steel is the most durable and strongest option available. Stainless steel mesh is resistant to corrosion and rust. It is a suitable option for areas prone to harsh weather conditions and high-security risks. Nevertheless, it is the most expensive mesh material.

Benefits of 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

Can be used anywhere you would install window screen mesh and is an ideal option for coastal homes. Stainless steel mesh comes in silver and black colour. It 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.

So Which Screen Should You Choose

With so many choices, it may be difficult to choose which mesh type is best.

Consider the location and weather conditions of your home when choosing the
right window screen mesh.
Choose a mesh size that balances airflow and insect prevention.
For high-traffic areas, choose a durable and robust mesh-like aluminium or
stainless steel.
Pet owners should consider pet-resistant mesh to prevent scratching or tearing
of the mesh.
Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to ensure the longevity of your
window screen mesh as well.

If you require any screen mesh repair, reach out to our team at Revitalize Windows & Doors and we can provide a free quote. Servicing Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Woodbridge, Markham, Richmond Hill and surrounding regions, we’re your go to window and door repair specialist.