Porch Screening GuidePorch screening materials - what size, quality and color of screen mesh are just right when you are building a screened porch? It is just as important if selecting a screen porch kit or enclosure. Keeping the mosquitos away, especially those carrying West Nile Virus is important too. Plus you want your screened porch to look fantastic.Let's talk about the mesh - after all, so much of a screened porch is about the screening materials. So here is some mesh lingo for you. Mesh size is the number of openings per square inch of mesh. For instance, a number 4 mesh will have 4 openings per square inch, and 16 means it will have 16 openings per square inch. Two mesh has two wires in each direction in a square inch. You could easily pass a pencil through the openings. 
We help you sort through common questions about porch screening hereWhat Size Mesh?So what size porch screening materials (mesh) to use for your porch? 18 x 14 mesh is what is used for porch screens to keep out common insects.Use 20 x 20 mesh in areas with no-see-ums and other tiny insects. After all, keeping the bugs out is the point. In comparison, 60 mesh is the size commonly used in kitchen faucets. An 80 mesh has an opening which will barely pass a human hair. To calculate the size of the openings in a mesh the thickness of the wires making up the mesh material must also be taken into account. In addition to mesh size, consider the quality, cost, and color of your porch screening materials. Our handy reference guide below will help you choose just the right porch screening for your screened porch. Return to TopPorch Screening Comparison ChartNote: Use this information as a general guide only. It was current when we compiled the information. As with anything, screening materials change and are improved.
Porch Screening Type: Aluminum
Quality Features: Lightweight yet strong and is resistant to atmospheric corrosion; easily cut with hand tools; bendable but has little spring back; most popular for screened porches! Can last 30-40% longer than fiberglass. Color: Silver; tends to show glare in bright sun; charcoal and black (almost invisible from the inside) have gained popularity 
Porch Screening Type: Brass
Quality Features: Superior to copper wire mesh in abrasion resistance and tensile strength; not suitable for salt water areas; fairly stiff and can be bent by hand and has some spring back Color: Yellowish gold and will discolor due to atmospheric conditions 
Porch Screening Type: Bronze
Quality Features: Fairly stiff, can be bent with spring back; not affected by salt spray; stronger than copper Color: Color of a new penny but will gradually discolor over time (color renewable to bright finish with removal of surface oil) 
Porch Screening Type: Copper
Quality Features: Not as strong as brass; cuts easily with hand tools; softest of metals can be easily bent; has very little spring back. Color: Yellowish-brown and will gradually discolor to a greenish-blue that eventually blackens
Porch Screening Type: Fiberglass
Quality Features: Preferred insect screening; woven from permanent glass yarn, non-combustible, will not rust, corrode, or stain; needs to be handled with care- easily torn Color: Variety of colors 
Porch Screening Type: Stainless Steel
Quality Features: Most popular woven screen; known for its strength and corrosion resistance; great for marine environments Color: Silver; Type 316 is approx 10% more but will not rust and is maintenance free. It is bright so it will cause glare in bright sunlight
Porch Screening Type: Vinyl-coated polyester
Quality Features: Designed to resist pets and also for sun control. They dissipate heat to the framing system; it will outlast aluminum; great for hot climates Color: Variety of colors Insect Screening
Insect screening for mosquitos and no-see-ums (picture at left) require a more tightly woven screen. See our response to
Jennifer's question regarding insect screening for her new porch.
Return to TopWhat Are Privacy Screens?Privacy screens are approximately $1.25 per square foot. When a privacy-style porch is desired, privacy screens can be a great solution.How do privacy screens work? Privacy is obtained by the combination of 3 factors and to be effective, they must all exist together. Here are the factors:
Size of the Pores (Holes in the Screen)When you are close to the screen, you can see through more because the number of screen fibers getting in your way decrease. You almost can see through the screen as if it wasn't even there.But if you stand back, then those screen fibers become more impressive and you see less. How Much Light the Screen Reflects and Lighting DifferenceThe area you want to be private must be darker than the outside area. So for example, if you are walking in a neighborhood at night where homes have their indoor lights on, you can easily see inside (if the window shades are open).Whereas in the daytime, where it is brighter outside than inside, that same home is much more private. So an outside living area (such as a covered porch or patio) can be made more private if it's not in the sunlight - and hence more opportune for a privacy screen. 
Custom screen porch by The Porch CompanyLighter colors provide more reflective qualities. Consequently, lighter colors are often needed in order to make an area private when there isn't much difference in the ambient lighting between the inside and outside.Solar ScreensSolar screens are approximately $1.25 per square foot. Solar screens are beneficial because they:
Although solar screens may look dark from outside, the ability to see outward is still there.
With darker color solar shades, it is kind of like looking though sunglasses, it blocks the glare and sometimes the
outward visibility is even better than without the solar screen.
You can expect the temperature to be as much as 15 degrees lower. That can make your porch much more enjoyable and will allow you to use it during those long hot summer days! Much like a big shade tree, exterior solar screen will help reduce your cooling costs, can reduce the load on your air conditioning and will help reduce glare. Return to TopPet Screens Are Even Helpful for ToddlersPet screens are approximately $1.80 per square foot. Pet screen fabric is ultra strong screening that resists tears and damage by dogs and cats.However, is still offers superb outward visibility. Pet screen is ideal for areas where children or pets push against the screen. So in summary, there are many types of porch screening. Choose the mesh size, color and quality based upon your budget, climate, the amount of privacy you desire and your personal preferences. Choose a mesh size that keeps the bothersome bugs out and enjoy your screened porch to the fullest. How Do You Know Which Porch Screening to Choose?
Custom designed screened porch by The Porch Company in NashvilleScreening in a porch is an investment in both time and money. Obviously, screening will keep out the bugs, but is that all you want to do?Aside from insect protection would you like privacy, shade, or a combination of these? Determining your needs will help you select the right one. Before your select a screening material, check out the following tips as different screen materials have their own characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks.
Screened Porches Help Prevent West Nile VirusNote: The following information was extracted from Wikipedia.org and is for reader consideration only. It is not intended to be medical or biological advice.Any questions about the West Nile virus should be directed to your respective governmental agencies. 
Avoiding mosquito bites is the most straightforward means to avoid infections such as the West Nile virus.
Remaining indoors (while preventing mosquitoes from entering) at dawn and dusk, wear light-colored clothing that covers arms and legs as well as trunk, using insect repellants on both skin and clothing (such as DEET, picaradin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus for skin and permethrin for clothes). (Our note: Using 18 x 24 or 20 x 20 mesh porch screening helps to keep mosquitoes out of your porch.) If one becomes infected, generally, treatment is purely supportive: analgesia for the pain of neurological diseases; re-hydration for nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; encephalitis may also require airway protection and seizure management. You can find more information from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) online.
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