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

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Screen doors are a great option for those looking to enhance their front, patio, or sliding doors without breaking the bank. But choosing the best materials — from frame material, mesh, and hardware — for a screen door can be challenging.

Whether you’re remodeling and installing new screen doors or repairing your existing doors, there are many mesh options on the market today, and it can be overwhelming trying to determine the best material for your project.

These are some important questions to ask yourself as part of your decision-making process:

Key Questions to Ask

How important is maintaining aesthetics and your view of the outside?

What safety concerns do you have?

What size mesh will you need? Consider your location and common species of insects in your area.

What type, quality, and color of mesh material will you need?

Aesthetics and View

In settings where screen doors are installed, consider not only keeping insects out but also creating, preserving, or enhancing the view to the outside. In most cases, choosing a mesh that is as invisible as possible is the first priority.

Then there is ventilation to consider. In locations like the main entry where swinging screen doors are an appearance issue, retractable screen doors are an option. Often, the main door provides the only fresh air on one home side.

Retractable screen doors are an affordable, practical option to swinging screen doors. Researching manufacturers will point the way to the retractable screen door that fits your style, functional needs and budget.

Safety Concerns

Most don’t take safety into account when considering screen doors, but accidents are common. — people and pets often walk through screen doors. 

One product addresses safety uniquely. VisiScreen has a woven density marker invisible from a distance that becomes visible up close, preventing walk-throughs. Genius offers VisiScreen on its Milano retractable doors. 

Mesh Size

Screen doors keep bugs out if the mesh is fully intact. Mesh size depends on the number of openings per inch — a #4 mesh has four openings per square inch, while a #16 mesh has 16 openings. 

Mesh gauge refers to the size of the openings. Standard 18 x 16 .011 diameter mesh blocks common insects on doors. Sometimes a standard mesh block isn’t small enough to block the tiniest of bugs. In Florida, 20 x 20.013 mesh stops tiny bugs but reduces airflow and light passage. You should match the mesh to the pests common in your region. Hardware stores and manufacturers can provide guidance on which mesh is most suitable for blocking the smallest of critters from entering your home.

Material Considerations

You have many material options to consider when choosing the right mesh for your screen door. Vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum, and specialty meshes each have their own pros and cons for your screen door.

Vinyl-coated fiberglass mesh is the standard for doors and windows. It’s easy to install, durable and affordable, and comes in charcoal or gray. Aluminum wire mesh is similar to fiberglass mesh except that it’s more expensive and more durable than fiberglass and comes in charcoal, black or silver options. Fiberglass outsells aluminum three to one as it costs about half as much. You can find specialty options like BetterVue, UltraVue, and Super Screen.

Today’s Homeowner Tips

To choose mesh type you should evaluate material pros and cons like durability, longevity, degree of visibility, cost, and installation needs. Contact manufacturers to request free samples to choose the best mesh type for your home.

Installation and Repair

Proper installation and maintenance keep your screen door working its best. From our experience, DIY installation requires basic tools like screwdrivers and snips. If you’re installing mesh from a kit, follow the kit instructions (you can use kits to patch holes inexpensively but for large rips replacement is better). Extra hands can be helpful when maneuvering large pieces of mesh.

Consider hiring a pro if you’re inexperienced, especially for complex jobs like retractable screens. Cost ranges between $150 and $300 depending on the project scope.

So, Is Choosing the Right Screen Mesh Important?

With proper research on climate, home, bugs, and budget, you’ll be able to choose the proper customized mesh for your screen door needs. Durable, quality mesh provides years of safety, security, and comfort and adds to your home’s aesthetics. 

FAQs About Screen Door Mesh

What is the most popular screen mesh material?

Vinyl-coated fiberglass is most common for doors and windows. It balances durability, visibility, installation, and cost.

How do I clean screen mesh?How do I clean screen mesh?

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

How much does replacement screen mesh cost?

On average, replacement screen mesh costs $3 to $8 per square foot. DIY kits start around $20. Add $150 to $300 or more to hire a pro installer.

What gauge mesh should I choose?

18 x 16 .011 blocks common insects. Go heavier for smaller bugs. Match the type of screen you choose to your climate’s pests.

Can pets tear screen mesh?

Yes. Use a pet-resistant mesh or secondary pet screen on high-traffic doors. Train pets and trim claws regularly.

How do I fix rips and holes in screen mesh?

Use a patch kit with a spline and tools. Patch with leftover or replacement mesh cut to size. Kits under $10 fix minor damage.

Further Reading

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.

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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.