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.
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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
- Corrosion-resistant
- Sturdy, will not sag
- Resistant to high temperatures
Cons
- Most expensive mesh material
- May dent or kink upon heavy impact
Consider these scenarios:
It&#;s hot and you don&#;t have air conditioning in your home or business.
You&#;ve accidentally burned tonight&#;s dinner on the stove. It&#;s still smoking.
You&#;re trying to relax and the sounds of nature would help calm your nerves.
What&#;s the first thing you&#;ll likely do?
Probably open a window.
But insects, birds, leaves, and other airborne nuisances that get inside through your window can quickly make you regret opening it in the first place.
Designed to keep elements of the great outdoors in their natural habitat without obstructing airflow, window screens create a barrier between the inside of a building and what&#;s outside.
But wire mesh screens do more than keep bugs out and let air in -- they contribute significantly to a residential or commercial property&#;s aesthetic appeal. A building appears more finished when its windows have screens.
Choosing a window screen isn&#;t a matter of selecting a mesh that looks good. There are two key factors that let you get the desired performance from a screen: screen mesh sizes and materials.
What to Consider When Shopping for Wire Mesh Screens
Selecting the right screen for a specific application takes a few factors into consideration:
- Screen mesh sizes and strand size: How big is whatever you want to keep out? And how wide a span do you want the screen to cover?
How big is whatever you want to keep out? And how wide a span do you want the screen to cover?
Material: Which material best suits the screen&#;s purpose, environment, and desired aesthetic?
Unsure which window screen is right for your project?
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Compare our available window screen mesh inventory:
Screen Wire Size: What Are Mesh Size and Strand Size?
Put simply, mesh size is a measurement of the holes in the screen. The size of the holes determines what gets through and what doesn&#;t. Window screen mesh hole size also influences the screen&#;s rigidity.
Strand size -- or gauge -- measures the diameter of each &#;wire&#; that makes up the screen. Thicker wire diameters add to the screen strength but can take away from its good looks and outward visibility.
Combined with a larger strand size, a window screen with a smaller mesh size will have more integrity and be able to span wider distances without sagging.
How to Measure Screen Mesh Sizes
Measuring mesh size is a matter of finding the number of &#;holes&#; in a square inch of screen.
You can find this number by cutting a 1-inch by 1-inch hole in the middle of a piece of paper. Then:
Tape the paper to the screen so the edges of the cutout line up with the vertical and horizontal wires in the screen.
Count the holes in the mesh horizontally from one side of the cutout to the other. Write this number down.
Count the holes from the top of the cutout to the bottom. Write it down.
You now have the mesh size, which you&#;ll write as (number of horizontal holes) x (number of vertical holes). Don&#;t be surprised if the answer is 18 x 16, 18 x 14, or 20 x 20.
Window wire mesh size matters to most screens&#; principal purpose: keeping bugs out while letting air flow freely into an area. In some parts of the country (and the world), tiny flying insects (often called no-see-ums) are prevalent.
A mesh size of 18x14 or even 18x16 might not keep these menaces out. But a 20x20 mesh screen would. On the other hand, the tighter mesh also slightly reduces airflow.
What Materials Are Used to Make Screens?
As screens meet many demands, there are multiple materials from which to choose.
Window mesh screen material type plays a significant role in a screen&#;s performance. Some materials are designed for durability and longevity, while others strictly serve a functional purpose: allowing air circulation.
Popular screen products used in the residential and commercial sectors include:
Black PetScreen® -- A pet screen mesh, this Phifer product provides an insect screen with the ability to resist damage from pets. It&#;s made of vinyl-coated polyester.
Brite-Kote&#; Bright Aluminum Screen -- For good air ventilation and aesthetics, this aluminum mesh screen also offers durability.- Charcoal fiberglass screen -- Providing good visibility through the screen to the outside, fiberglass screen mesh also won&#;t rust, corrode or stain.
Providing good visibility through the screen to the outside, fiberglass screen mesh also won&#;t rust, corrode or stain.
- Charcoal aluminum screen -- Another metal screen mesh material, the charcoal aluminum screen offers reduced glare, good outward visibility, and a weather-resistant finish.
Another metal screen mesh material, the charcoal aluminum screen offers reduced glare, good outward visibility, and a weather-resistant finish.
- SeeVue insect screen -- SeeVue is a stainless steel wire mesh screen that boasts a black finish and durability.
SeeVue is a stainless steel wire mesh screen that boasts a black finish and durability.
- UltraVue insect screen -- Featuring excellent visibility and lasting protection, UltraVue is a fiberglass screen mesh with a vinyl coating.
Featuring excellent visibility and lasting protection, UltraVue is a fiberglass screen mesh with a vinyl coating.
Screens are also made of copper, brass, and other materials -- the choices are pretty broad to meet a variety of applications.
Screen and Frame Pricing:
Pricing for screens largely depends on mesh and strand size coupled with the material.
At New Angle Beveling, we offer the following prices for window screens:
Window Screen Performance = Screen Mesh Sizes + Wire Gauge + Material
A natural part of any window, carefully selecting mesh screens helps maximize a window&#;s functionality. Combining the right screen mesh size, wire gauge, and material type lets you wholly enjoy an open window.
Looking for a glass partner for your next commercial project? Check out our services and capabilities:
(Editor's note: This blog was originally published in May and was recently updated).
The company is the world’s best window screen materials supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
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