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A mesh screen is a material that is formed in a grid and made up of fibers of plastic, metal, or other materials. Mesh screens have various uses and applications but are commonly used to allow air flow into an opening without bugs going through the mesh. Bug mesh screens can be made for doors, windows, and large openings to allow fresh air into your home while keeping pesky bugs outside. Mesh screens can be very versatile and depending on the application they will come in different grid sizes, materials, and thickness.
What are the Functions and Benefits of a Mesh Screen?
Mesh screens add many benefits to your home, the main function of a mesh screen is to allow fresh air to come into your home without allowing pesky bugs and critters inside. Allowing fresh air into your home with mesh screens will naturally ventilate your home, cooling it in the process. Mesh screens are a great alternative to AC systems as they are cost-effective and bring fresh air inside without the use of cooling chemicals!
1. Insect and Pest Control
Mesh screens are a great way to keep insects and pests out of your home or outdoor living space. The mesh screen grid is manufactured to be small enough to not allow bugs and pests through, but still open enough to let fresh air into the opening. Bug mesh screens can be made with tighter weaves of the grid depending on what types of bugs you are trying to keep out.
2. Safety and Security
Mesh screen that is made of metal can be a great way to let fresh air inside your home while also protecting it from being broken into. Some security doors have the option to have a mesh screen installed to let fresh air inside, the metal mesh screen is cut resistant so you can rest assured that an intruder won’t be able to break through the mesh to get into your home.
3. Ventilation and Air Flow
Mesh screen is a great way to let fresh air into your home while keeping the elements outside. By having a mesh screen installed on your doors and windows you will create cross-ventilation in your home which will naturally cool your living space. Mesh screen will bring the benefits of the outdoors inside while keeping the negatives outside!
4. Sunlight and UV Protection
Mesh screens can offer different levels of sunlight and UV protection depending on the material, thickness, and how tight the mesh weave is. Mesh screens provide shading by reducing direct sunlight that comes through the space that you have the screens installed on, which will reduce glare and help keep the space cooler. Depending on the factors mentioned above, the amount of visible light that passes through the mesh screen varies based on the color and thickness of the mesh. The UV protection that a mesh screen offers depends on the material it’s made from, the UPF (UV Protection Factor), and what the mesh is coated with.
5. Privacy
Privacy mesh screens are the thickest mesh screens that are offered in motorized or large-opening retractable screens. These mesh screens are designed to allow the least amount of light through and often are made with a very dense weave. Privacy mesh screens also offer enhanced UV protection as they reduce the amount of sunlight that will come through your opening that the screens are installed on.
What Materials Are Used to Make Mesh Screens?
Mesh screens can be made from various materials and serve different purposes depending on the application. The most common material that mesh screens for insect protection are made of is fiberglass as it’s lightweight and durable. Insect mesh screens are versatile in how they can be installed on openings and are easy to replace if any damage occurs.
1. Fiberglass
Fiberglass mesh screens are a type of mesh screen that are made from fiberglass strands that are weaved into a pattern and are typically used for insect screens. Fiberglass mesh screens are known for their lightweight features that are strong and durable.
2. Copper Bronze
Bronze mesh screens offer good electrical conductivity and are also corrosion-resistant. Copper bronze mesh screens are typically not used for insect screen applications but rather for industrial uses and for electrical conductivity purposes.
3. Stainless Steel
Stainless steel mesh screens are durable and resistant to corrosion and high temperatures. A stainless steel mesh screen will serve as good protection for the opening you are installing it on.
How to Choose the Right Mesh Screen for Your Home?
When determining which mesh screen is best for your home you will need to weigh a few factors such as mesh size, material, and the needs of your home (insect protection, privacy, solar protection). Figuring out what purpose you want the mesh screen to be used for, will help narrow down your decision. The most common mesh screen type is insect mesh as most homeowners want to bring fresh air into their home without bugs, but solar mesh and privacy mesh are gaining popularity.
1. Screen Mesh Size and Strand Size
The screen mesh size is a crucial factor when deciding which mesh screen you’d like to have installed in your home. Typically, standard insect mesh is an 18×16 or 18×14 grid that is best for general use. Fine mesh, or what we call in our retractable screens no-see-um mesh, is used for keeping out smaller insects and is typically a 20×20 mesh grid. Your Mirage dealer will be able to offer you the best screen mesh size and strand size depending on what the application is.
2. Material Type
When choosing what material your mesh screens are made of you have a few things to consider. For retractable screens, if you have an animal in your household we suggest using our Tuffscreen which is a vinyl-coated polyester screen that is scratch-resistant. Our standard screen is a polyester mesh that isn’t coated, but will still be durable. For homeowners looking for privacy or sun protection, our solar and privacy meshes are a great option, speak to your local Mirage dealer about the option of having privacy or solar mesh installed in your retractable screens.
How to Measure the Right Mesh Screen Size for Openings?
Measuring the size of your opening that you will have mesh screens installed on is crucial and needs to be done accurately. Some people may be able to take accurate measurements and give that information to the company that will build your screens, but we suggest that you contact your local Mirage dealer for assistance. Most Mirage retractable screen dealers will travel to your home for a consultation to measure the right mesh screen size for your patio and large opening screens. You can find your local Mirage retractable screens dealer by visiting our dealer locator.
Conclusion
The perfect mesh screen for your home depends on what you want to get out of it. If you are solely trying to reduce bugs and pests from entering your home then an insect mesh screen will be your best option. If you are trying to add solar protection to your outdoor patio then a solar mesh screen would be your best option. If you are trying to add more privacy to the opening you are interested in having a screen installed on then a privacy mesh screen would be your best option. Your local Mirage dealer will help you find the perfect mesh screen solution for your home based on your needs! You can find your local Mirage dealer by visiting our dealer locator.
