How long does polyester mesh last?

When you&#;re ready to make an investment into a screen enclosure, you need to sit down and consider all of your options. You may already be aware that there are different types of materials used for the screens. You may also already know that polyester is by far the strongest type of material used. But exactly how strong is polyester mesh?

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Some people want just enough strength and durability out of their screen to last a few years before they move to a new home. Polyester mesh will definitely get the job done, but it may not be worth the investment for just a short-term benefit. The strength of polyester mesh is more beneficial for long-term investments.

• 100% Stronger Than Fiberglass

  The standard material used in most screen enclosures is fiberglass. Polyester mesh is 100% stronger than fiberglass screens. The warp tensile strength of polyester mesh is about 112 pounds of force, the warp tear strength is about 31 pounds of force and the fill tear strength is about 27 pounds of force.

  And the all-important ball burst strength for polyester screens is about 190 pounds. In other words, polyester mesh can hold up to virtually anything when it&#;s brand new, and it&#;s durable enough to last more than 20 years.

• Strength After Years of Absorbing UV Rays

  The downfall of fiberglass screens is they don&#;t last very long. You&#;re lucky if you get 7 or 8 solid years out of them with no issues. One of the reasons for that is because of the intensity of the UV rays we get in Florida. After several years, the material starts breaking down and becoming brittle, leading to ultimately needing to be replaced.

  Polyester mesh includes UV protection properties to help it withstand these intense rays without altering the color or durability of the screen. After 10 years of use, the screen should be just about as strong as it was when you had it installed.

• Simple Maintenance to Keep Strength Intact

  One of the best parts when considering the strength of polyester mesh is how simple it is to maintain the material to keep the strength intact. The mesh is made with a biocide designed to repel insects, and most importantly, prevent algae and mildew growth.

  After a few years, you can&#;t power wash a fiberglass screen because it becomes brittle over time. However, polyester screens can be power washed any time for as long as you own yours. Spraying it off occasionally is really all of the maintenance polyester screens need to remain strong and looking great.

• Is Polyester Mesh Worth It?

  So it should be obvious by now that polyester mesh is the strongest type of material you can use for your screen enclosure. The question now is whether it&#;s worth paying the extra money for. The short answer is yes, but the popular answer is &#;it depends.&#;

  If you only plan on living in your current home for a few more years, then you probably don&#;t want to waste your money on polyester mesh. However, if you don&#;t plan on moving for the foreseeable future, then polyester mesh is the best choice you can make.

  The strength of the material can be determined and considered in the short-term and long-term. Fiberglass has great short-term strength, while polyester has both short-term and long-term strength. Just be sure to consider your options and think about where you plan to be in the near and distant future to help you determine whether polyester is a worthy investment.

One of the pillars of Jason Mills&#; knit fabrics product line is polyester mesh. This versatile material is used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications, ranging from the aerospace and automotive sectors to the marine and medical sectors as well as the indoor and outdoor recreational trade.

The following article provides an overview of polyester mesh, discussing its properties, advantages, and applications. It also outlines the differences between polyester and nylon mesh and the importance of fabric finishing and treatment in achieving a particular end-use outcome or performance.

An Overview of Polyester Mesh Fabric

The term &#;knit mesh fabric&#; is a general expression used to describe material that is constructed with an open hole structure through the process of knitting (as opposed to weaving which is separate operation). Beyond this broad characteristic, the design of a specific knit mesh material can vary from others in regard to yarn, material weight, aperture opening, width, color, and finish. Polyester yarn is one of the most commonly used fibers in the manufacture of knit mesh fabric.

Polyester consists of flexible, synthetic polymer fibers created through a chemical reaction between alcohol, carboxylic acid, and a petroleum byproduct. The resulting fibers are then stretched and oriented together to form a strong yarn that naturally repels water, resists staining, ultraviolet degradation, and holds up to frequent use. (Please note, water-resistance and other properties inherent in polyester yarn must be enhanced within the finishing process if it is necessary for the performance of the material. This is discussed in greater detail below.)

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Properties and Advantages of Polyester Mesh Fabric

Compared to other mesh materials, polyester fabric exhibits a number of advantageous properties that make it suitable for use in a variety of industrial, commercial, and recreational applications, such as:

• Ease of use and accessibility. Polyester is a common fiber available at most textile manufacturing facilities. When treated with a light resin the mesh material is easy to install (sew) and clean, thus reducing excess time and labor required for its integration and maintenance.
• Dimensional stability. Polyester fibers demonstrate good elasticity, which allows the material to return to its original shape after it is stretched by up to 5&#;6%. It&#;s important to note that mechanical stretch is different from fiber stretch. One can design hi-stretch material using dimensionally stable yarns.
• Durability. Polyester mesh fabric is highly resilient, offering inherent resistance to damage and degradation stemming from acidic and alkaline chemicals, corrosion, flames, heat, light, mold and mildew, and wear. Factors such a yarn weight (denier), entanglement, and filament count all are critical in determining durability.
• Hydrophobicity: Polyester mesh is hydrophobic&#;i.e., tends to repel water&#;which translates to superior pigment absorption (meaning easier dyeing operations- as opposed to type 6 or 66 nylon) and drying times (meaning better moisture-wicking properties).

Altogether, these characteristics suit the material for use in a wide range of applications, including ones involving outdoor and demanding environmental conditions.

Fabric Applications

As indicated above, polyester mesh fabric is highly versatile. Some of the industries that regularly employ the material for their parts and products include:

The exact properties exhibited by the polyester mesh fabric employed depend on the needs of the application and industry.

Knit mesh fabric is most commonly made from either polyester or nylon yarns. While the two synthetic polymers share some properties&#;e.g., lightweight, durability, and tear resistance&#;there are several key distinctions that make them suitable for different applications.

• Nylon has a smoother and softer feel than polyester, which in some situations makes it more ideal for use in applications requiring high aesthetic quality or user comfort. But, as noted above, other factors such as a high filament count can make polyester just as drapey as soft nylon.
• Nylon is hydrophilic (absorbs water), while polyester is hydrophobic (repels water). As such, the former is more likely to be bogged down with water in high-moisture or high-humidity environments, while the latter dries quickly in marine and aquatic settings.
• Nylon fibers are innately resistant to wear from bending and stretching, while polyester fibers are inherently resistant to heat and UV rays. These qualities make nylon mesh more suitable for applications where the material will be regularly subjected to bending and stretching, and polyester mesh more suitable for end uses where stability is key and for environments exposed to heat and sunlight. And again, it needs to be noted that these inherent qualities are basic at best. Finishing and treatment are key to performance. See below.

The Importance of Fabric Finishing and Treatment

The functional and aesthetic properties demonstrated by a polyester mesh fabric are dependent upon many factors. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the final stages of textile production, otherwise known as &#;the finish&#;. The finish is typically a topically applied chemical that is set by heat during the process called framing. Once completed, these processes can affect the texture, weight, firmness, colorfastness, and resistances (UV, fire, etc.) of the final material.

As indicated above, the properties exhibited by a fully finished and treated polyester mesh fabric vary depending on the needs of the application and the industry. Some examples include:

• Antibacterial finishes: Topically applied anti-microbial finishes eliminate bacterial growth on the surface of the fabric. Bacteria growth creates odor and is also responsible for various healthcare-associated infections. This makes the need for these types of finishes essential for equipment used in the medical and healthcare industries. They are also suitable for sporting equipment as they minimize the spread of odor-causing bacteria.
• Anti-static finishes: In operations involving sensitive electrical and electronic components, it is important to minimize the buildup of static charge. Fabrics with anti-static coatings reduce the risk of employees and equipment producing static discharge that impacts the integrity of the components.
• UV resistant finishes: Untreated material exposed to UV rays fades and degrades over time. As such, polyester mesh intended for use in outdoor environments (e.g., recreational equipment) requires the addition of UV inhibitors to the fabric finish or dye formulation to retain the original integrity.
• Fire Resistant finishes: One of the most commonly used finishes; used to achieve FR compliance in the automotive industry, aeronautical industry, and architectural interior industry (think curtains and indoor rec areas).

Jason Mills: The Experts in Polyester Mesh Fabric Solutions

Polyester knit mesh is a material solution that finds use across a wide range of industrial, commercial, and recreational sectors. Its strength, stability, and durability make it well-suited for many applications. For customers looking for high-quality polyester mesh fabric, the team at Jason Mills is here to help.

At Jason Mills, we specialize in the manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution of industrial polyester and nylon knit mesh. We offer a broad selection of standard textiles and custom-tailored fabric solutions for customers with highly specific or unique needs. For additional information about our standard and custom textiles, contact us or request a quote today.

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