Which Insect Mesh Should I Choose?
The mesh does the real work in any fly screen, so it’s worth understanding what’s on offer before you order. We stock a full range manufactured to leading industry standards, available by the metre or in full rolls, suitable for every window and door screen we make — and for trade or construction use behind cladding and soffit vents, where airflow needs to keep moving but insects need to stay out.
Standard mosquito mesh
Our standard 18×16 weave is the right choice for most homes and businesses, keeping out mosquitoes, flies, wasps, moths and general flying insects while staying easy to see through. It’s sold by the metre or in full rolls — 1.2m or 1.8m wide, 30m long — so trade customers and self-builders can buy exactly what a job needs.
Midge mesh
Standard mesh won’t stop everything — midges in particular slip through an 18×16 weave. For those, our finer 20/20 midge mesh has a tighter construction that keeps the smaller biters out too, available by the metre or in 1.2m rolls.
Pet mesh
Households with cats or dogs know the mesh takes more punishment than the insects ever will. Pet mesh uses a stronger weave built to handle occasional claw swipes, and the grade available depends on which screen it’s fitted to — check the specification on the relevant product page.
Pollen mesh
For hay fever sufferers, pollen mesh filters out a significant amount of airborne pollen alongside the usual flying insects — something we can speak to personally, as hay fever runs in the family here.
What the mesh is made from
All of our mesh is woven from fibreglass strands, ultrasonically welded together for strength and then coated in PVC — the combination that gives it durability for years of daily use while staying pliable enough to trim to size with scissors or a craft blade. It’s rot-proof, available in a fire-retardant grade, and has a life expectancy of 20 years under normal conditions when used in building structures.
| Mesh type | Gauge / weave | Material | Openness factor | Keeps out | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard mesh | 18×16 | Fibreglass / PVC, ultrasonically welded | approx. 66% | Mosquitoes, houseflies, wasps, moths and general flying insects | Black, Grey, White |
| Midge mesh | 20×20 | Fibreglass / PVC, ultrasonically welded | approx. 56% | Midges and other very small flying insects that get through standard mesh | Charcoal, Grey |
| Pet mesh | 16×14, triple-coated | Fibreglass / PVC, ultrasonically welded | approx. 50% | Same insects as standard mesh — built to resist claw damage from cats and dogs | Grey |
| Pollen mesh | 80 micron, 0.8 aperture | Knitted polyester | approx. 45% | Flying insects and a significant amount of airborne pollen — ECARF-certified | — |
All four are sold by the metre (1.2m wide); standard and midge mesh are also available as full 30m rolls for trade customers and larger jobs. Looking after a pet as well as hay fever? See our pet screens and pollen screens pages for which finished screens take which mesh.
Insect mesh — your questions answered
What’s the difference between standard mesh and midge mesh?
If houseflies and mosquitoes are the main problem, our standard 18×16 gauge mesh gives better airflow. If midges, gnats or other very small flying insects are getting through, the denser 20×20 weave is the one to use — it trims airflow slightly, which is why we don’t fit it everywhere as standard.
Will pet mesh really stop my cat or dog damaging the screen?
Pet mesh uses a heavier 16×14 gauge with an extra coating built to handle occasional claw swipes — a real step up from standard mesh. In the interests of honesty, no mesh is completely claw-proof, so it’s still worth supervising a new pet around any screen until they’re used to it.
Does pollen mesh still let air through?
Yes. It’s a knitted polyester weave, ECARF-certified for allergy performance, with roughly a 45% openness factor — finer than our other meshes, but not sealed. It filters out a significant amount of airborne pollen alongside the usual flying insects while still letting air move through.
Should I buy mesh by the metre or a full roll?
Same mesh, same gauge — the only difference is quantity. Buying by the metre makes sense for a single repair or one-off screen; a 30m roll works out cheaper per metre if you’re covering several screens or you’re a trade customer.
Is there a minimum order?
Yes — 2 metres on standard, midge and pet mesh. Pollen mesh is supplied in continuous lengths of up to 2 metres, so an order of 6 metres arrives as three separate pieces rather than one roll.
Can I fit or trim the mesh myself?
Yes. All our mesh is pliable enough to trim to size with scissors or a craft blade, and it’s rot-proof with a life expectancy of around 20 years under normal conditions. If you’re not sure which mesh suits your screen, send us the details and we’ll point you to the right one.
Not sure which mesh suits your screen? Get in touch and we’ll point you to the right one.
