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

Choosing the Right Screen Mesh for Your Screen Door

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Screen doors are an excellent and cost-effective way to improve your home’s entrance, patio, or sliding doors. However, selecting the ideal materials—from the frame, mesh, to the hardware—can be daunting.

Whether you're installing new screen doors or repairing existing ones, the plethora of mesh options can be overwhelming. Here are crucial questions to guide you in choosing the right mesh for your screen door:

Key Questions to Consider

1. How crucial is aesthetics and maintaining your external view?

2. What safety concerns need addressing?

3. What mesh size is ideal for your specific location and insect species?

4. What type, quality, and color of mesh material are necessary?

Aesthetics and View

When installing screen doors, it’s important to balance keeping insects out while preserving or enhancing your view of the outdoors. Choosing a highly invisible mesh is often the top priority.

Ventilation is another factor. For locations where visual appeal matters, like the main entry, retractable screen doors serve as a viable option, providing fresh air while remaining discreet. Researching manufacturers will help you find a retractable screen door that meets your aesthetic and functional needs within your budget.

Safety Concerns

Safety often gets overlooked with screen doors, but incidents of people or pets walking through them are common. VisiScreen offers a unique solution with a woven density marker that becomes visible up close, preventing such walk-throughs. It's available in Milano retractable doors from Genius.

Mesh Size

A functional screen door must keep bugs out, which depends on the mesh size—measured by the number of openings per square inch. For example, a #4 mesh has four openings, while a #16 mesh has sixteen. The standard 18 x 16 .011 diameter mesh is suitable for common insects.

However, if you live in areas with tiny bugs, like Florida, a 20 x 20 .013 mesh might be necessary, though it does reduce airflow and light. Hardware stores can guide you on choosing the appropriate mesh for your region's pests.

Material Considerations

When selecting the right mesh material for your screen door, consider vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, and specialty meshes. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Vinyl-coated fiberglass mesh is the standard choice—easy to install, durable, and affordable, available in charcoal or gray. Aluminum mesh is more durable but costlier, available in charcoal, black, or silver. Specialty options like BetterVue, UltraVue, and Super Screen offer enhanced features.

Today’s Homeowner Tips

Evaluate each material on factors like durability, longevity, visibility, cost, and installation needs. Request free samples from manufacturers to find the best mesh type for your home.

Installation and Repair

Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for your screen door's functionality. DIY installation requires basic tools like screwdrivers and snips. If using a kit, follow the instructions carefully. For large pieces of mesh, having an extra set of hands can be beneficial. For complex installations like retractable screens, consider hiring a professional; costs range from $150 to $300 depending on the project's scope.

So, Is Choosing the Right Screen Mesh Important?

By thoroughly researching your climate, home requirements, pest types, and budget, you can select a customized mesh that offers years of protection, comfort, and enhanced aesthetics for your home.

FAQs About Screen Door Mesh

What is the most popular screen mesh material?

Vinyl-coated fiberglass is the most popular due to its balance of durability, visibility, ease of installation, and cost.

How do I clean screen mesh?

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

How much does replacement screen mesh cost?

Replacement mesh averages $3 to $8 per square foot. DIY kits start around $20, while professional installation can cost between $150 and $300.

What gauge mesh should I choose?

An 18 x 16 .011 gauge mesh blocks most common insects. Opt for a finer gauge in areas with smaller bugs, and match the screen type to the pests common in your climate.

Can pets tear screen mesh?

Yes. Pet-resistant mesh or secondary pet screens on high-traffic doors are advisable. Regular pet training and claw trimming can also help.

How do I fix rips and holes in screen mesh?

Use a patch kit with a spline and tools to fix minor damages. Kits cost under $10 and are suitable for small repairs.

Further Reading

9 FAQs About Stainless Steel Wire Mesh for DIY Projects

Boasting impressive durability and versatility, stainless steel mesh is a go-to for a range of DIY applications. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this endlessly useful material below.

What is Stainless Steel Wire Mesh?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website aluminium screens.

Stainless steel wire mesh is a type of woven metal. Known for its exceptional strength and long lifespan, the material is essential not only to various industries but also for a wide range of home applications.

It's created with wires of various sizes, ranging from 0.0008 inches to 0.047 inches in diameter. Beyond the standard mill finish, metal mesh can be coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or galvanized for extra resistance to heat and corrosion.

What's the Difference Between T-304 & T-316 Wire Mesh?

T-304 (type 304) stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It's the most common alloy used to make wire mesh and is generally reliable, versatile, and resilient in most environments.

T-316 (type 316) stainless steel is a higher-grade metal alloy. It contains 10% nickel, 6% chromium, 2% molybdenum. Since T-316 wire mesh is a bit stronger and more resistant in extreme temperatures and harsh conditions, it's the pricier option. However, T-304 is suitable for most home applications.

How Do You Clean the Material?

Stainless steel wire mesh can be cleaned with warm water and mild soap, followed by a rinse with clean water. Depending on the weave, you may need to use a soft nylon-bristle brush to remove stubborn particles.

TWP Inc. offers ultrasonic cleaning as part of its expert wire mesh services. The method combines high-frequency sound waves with liquid to get rid of all dirt, debris, grease, and contaminants.

How is Steel Mesh Used for Winterizing a Home?

Wire mesh comes in handy for a variety of home winterization projects. You can use it to make gutter guards, a chimney cap, foundation vents, and soffit screens—to name just a few.

Can It Be Used for Fire Safety?

When it comes to fire safety, one of the main things people use metal mesh for is spark arrestors. The screens keep flammable debris away from embers and can contain flames within a chimney or fireplace.

Installing an indoor fireplace cover—along with the foundation vent, soffit, and gutter screens mentioned above—can also help prevent residential fires.

What Metal Mesh Products are Best for Pest Control?

Galvanized, welded, and poly-coated stainless steel are among the best wire mesh materials for pest control. Since they're notably strong and able to withstand severe weather conditions, these products work well for excluding various critters, including rodents, bats, raccoons, gophers, and snakes.

Can You Make Insect Screens Out of Stainless Mesh?

Insect screens can be made out of a few metal mesh materials. These include aluminum, copper, and multiple types of stainless steel.

Woven from super-fine steel wires, high-transparency mesh is a top choice for window and door screens. That said, professional installation is recommended to ensure a wrinkle-free finish.

What Mesh is Best for Gardening & Landscaping Projects?

While copper is a go-to for slug and snail control, stainless steel is the most widely used material in the garden. It can be fastened into fences, trellises, greenhouses, chicken coops, or benches. Some folks place it underneath the soil to keep moles, gophers, and other burrowers at bay.

To learn more about this do-it-all material, see our Guide to Stainless Steel Wire Mesh.

Contact Our Wire Mesh Suppliers

TWP. Inc was founded in the California Bay Area more than 50 years ago. As one of the top wire mesh suppliers worldwide, our woman-owned business carries a robust selection of woven, welded, galvanized, and poly-coated T-304 and T-316 stainless steel panels, sheets, and rolls.

Shop our inventory today, or contact us with questions.

To have your DIY projects featured in our gallery, post photos on Instagram using the hashtag #TWPWireMesh.

The company is the world’s best stainless steel insect mesh supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.