Rescreening Questions

May. 13, 2024

Different Types Of Screen Material

UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF DECK SCREEN MATERIAL

Annoying mosquitoes, spooky spiders, and dizzying junebugs; no one enjoys being bothered by pesky pests and insects while relaxing with friends outside! Luckily you can still enjoy the nature of your backyard without the hassle of bugs by installing a deck or window screen material along the openings of your deck or porch to gain a whole new room in your house!

Creating a three-season porch or screened-in deck allows your family and guests the chance to relax outside well into the night without worrying about itchy bites or insect-borne diseases.

There’s a wide range of different types of screen materials and deck screen systems that can be used to build this backyard space. From Westbury ScreenRail to the incomparable SCREENEZE® system, gaining your new favorite outdoor space just got simpler!

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WINDOW SCREEN MATERIAL

Selecting the proper type of screen material for your home's deck screen system can ensure that you keep the view you want while remaining protected from the hassles of the outdoors. Each window screen material comes with its own set of pros and cons. Let our expert team walk you through the advantages of each material so you can pick the best fit for your window screens, screen doors, sliding screen doors, pet screens and more.

Below, learn more about the different types of screen material available and start designing your outdoor living space today!

DIFFERENT DECK SCREEN MATERIAL

Fiberglass Window Screen Material

The most commonly purchased type of screen used for porches and screendoors, fiberglass mesh is relatively low-cost and offers good visibility due to minimal glare from sunlight. Standard fiberglass screen doesn't crease like metal screening, and it’s flexible, making it the easiest screen material to work with. The downside of fiberglass screen material is that it often stretches and tears more easily than many other screen types.

Fiberglass window screen material is commonly available in black, gray, charcoal, and silver. No matter the color or style of your house and deck, there will be a shade of fiberglass screen material to fit your style. Our team of experts can help - give us a call and we’ll recommend the best color for your screen porch!

Budget-friendly and easy-to-install, standard fiberglass deck screen does not crease, dent, or unravel like many other materials. The most commonly used window and door screening for new construction and replacement window screens.

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Aluminum Window Screen Material

Aluminum is another customer-favorite screen material and while it costs slightly more than fiberglass, it also offers excellent visibility. If you want to enjoy the bright sun and fresh air in a protected indoor space, aluminum window screens are just the ticket.

Aluminum screen meshes are more rigid than fiberglass or plastic screens. That’s both good and bad - aluminum is a more durable window screen material, but can also be more difficult to install.

While it is an extremely durable screen material, aluminum screen mesh can crease during installation and may become dented throughout the years. In coastal regions or damp, wet climates, aluminum can corrode and rust unless coated. Aluminum screens are available in gray, black, and charcoal; black usually offers the best visibility, and charcoal and black can both reduce glare for better outward visibility.

Vinyl-Coated Glass Window Screen Material

You don't have to sacrifice insect protection to get peak visibility from your screen porch! Vinyl-coated glass screens (such as the very popular BetterVue screen) provide the best of both worlds. As an added bonus, BetterVue deck screen boasts improved airflow compared to metal and fiberglass materials.

As a premium porch alternative, BetterVue is made from permanent glass yarn that has been coated with vinyl for extra durability and long-lasting, fade-free color. It is woven into a distinctive square mesh pattern that provides a sharp view as well as insect protection. Be assured that vinyl-coated glass screen will last, since it has passed two accelerated weathering tests, plus it won't stain, corrode, or rust. Vinyl coated window screen material is great for use with SCREENEZE® framing components.

Enjoy your deck, porch or pool area without having to worry about your screen material’s lifespan with a tough PVC-coated polyester screen. PVC-coated screen material like Super Screen was developed to provide unmatched quality and durability, plus the longest warranty available for an exterior screen product.

Unlike fiberglass screens which can become brittle, or aluminum screens which can rust after prolonged sun exposure, polyester core yarn with a PVC coating such as Super Screen is made for superior performance and a long lifespan. Installing Super Screen material is a great value and can save you thousands of dollars in avoidable replacement or repair costs other screen systems might require down the road. You can easily install Polyester-PVC screen material with SCREENEZE® framing components.

Learn more about the basics of deck framing and building in our Deck Framing Guide and learn deck parts and terminology in the DecksDirect Glossary of Deck Terms and Lingo.

Browse more deck design and railing style notes to upgrade your backyard space and deck in the DecksDirect Railing Style Guide: the quickest way to learn if your home is more suited for a classic aluminum deck railing or a strong, composite railing line.

Rescreening Questions

thezster is right- one piece of spline. If you use short pieces for each side, they will eventually shrink back and be short at the corners, will come loose, and you'll be replacing the screen again soon. Fiberglass screen can't be stretched tight like a rubber band. Aluminum screens can be rolled tight because it's stronger and provides more structural strength at the corners of the screen frame. Fiberglass screen can only be streched so tight before it rips, as you've discovered. Fiberglass screens will get stretched by the wind eventually, so all you can do is get them as tight as possible. The only trick I know of is to put the screen on a bench, and bow the 4 sides of the frame in toward the middle slightly- 1/8" or so (like an hourglass). You can do this by screwing 4 small pieces of wood onto your bench to hold the screen in this "hourglass" shape. Roll the screen as best as you can, and when you remove it from the bench, it will spring back to straight (unless you bowed it too much!) and help hold the screen tight.

Different Types Of Screen Material

UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF DECK SCREEN MATERIAL

Creating a three-season porch or screened-in deck allows your family and guests the chance to relax outside well into the night without worrying about itchy bites or insect-borne diseases.