Choosing the Right Mesh For Your Window Screens and Screen Doors

When choosing window screens or screen doors for your home, it’s important to consider not only what type of view you would like to maintain and how many insects you want to keep out, but also the strength of the mesh and durability of the frame. Generally speaking, there are two types of mesh to choose from: fiberglass or metal wire. Fiberglass is the more common mesh used in homes today, as it is more durable than traditional wire and is easier to work with. Metal wire mesh is more commonly found in older window screens and patio enclosures. Aluminum is an excellent choice for both these applications, as it is highly resilient and will not rust or damage from exposure to the elements.

Mesh is measured in terms of “Mesh Size” or “Mesh Number.” In general, the higher the mesh count (measured by number of little square openings in one inch of a screen) the finer the mesh, and the smaller the particle size that will pass through. The mesh size of a screen is determined by counting the number of tiny little squares in one linear inch of the screen. For example, a 110 mesh means there are 110 threads crossing per square inch.

The most common mesh counts are 110 and 156, both of which offer a good balance between detail and print thickness. Both of these mesh counts will produce high-quality prints, especially if the artwork is in high-resolution. The appropriate mesh count for a particular project will vary depending on the level of detail and the ink’s thickness.

A lower mesh count such as 25 or 40 is often used for glitter or shimmer inks, which have large flakes that cannot easily pass through standard mesh sizes. Lower mesh counts are also used for printing heat transfers or when using heavy underbases.

In order to determine the proper mesh count for a particular job, lay the mesh on a flat surface that allows light to flow through it. Then, use a magnifying glass to examine the mesh closely, and count the tiny little squares in one inch of the screen. Start at the center of one of the squares, and count outward to avoid making mistakes. A piece of masking tape on the edge of the mesh will minimize mess, and mark where you started to make it easy to reference for future jobs.

In addition to mesh size, abrasive grit is sometimes referred to as mesh. The terms mesh and grit are often confused as they both refer to the threads or holes in the abrasive product, however, when referring to screen printing mesh, they are not the same thing. Screen mesh is defined as the threads or holes in the screen, whereas abrasive grit is the material used to cover the frame of the screen.