A hinged screen door
A screen door can refer to a hinged storm door (cold climates) or hinged screen door (warm climates) covering an exterior door, or a screened sliding door used with sliding glass doors. A screen door incorporates screen mesh to block birds, flying insects or airborne debris such as seeds or leaves from entering, and pets and small children from exiting interior spaces, while allowing for air, light, and views.
History
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The first screen doors were made using cheesecloth. After the American Civil War, wire cloth was coated with paint and sold for window screens.[1]
Construction
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Aluminium framed
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Aluminium sliding screen doors are generally constructed by two methods: rollformed or extruded. In both cases the rectangular rollformed or extruded shapes are joined together into a door frame using metal corners or screws.
Rollformed
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The first are rollformed from thin aluminium sheets into a rectangular shaped door frame which incorporates a screen channel to hold the window screen material.
Rollformed aluminum sliding screen doors are the least expensive to produce because they can be manufactured from thin aluminum sheets formed into a relatively strong rectangular shape.
Rollformed screen doors have mitered corners into which a steel or aluminum alloy corner is forced using a friction fit. If a steel corner is used, the rollformed sections are often pierced or staked into the corners, to help secure the corners together. If aluminum alloy corners are used, the corner relies on its friction fit alone to hold the door frame together.
The weakest point of a rollformed sliding screen door is the corner. After repeated opening and closing, stresses will cause the rollformed shape to loosen in the area of the corner. The door will then stick and jam and typically will require replacement rather than repair.
Extruded
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The second are extruded aluminum shapes, with aluminum frames made from thicker aluminum than rollformed doors. This makes an extruded aluminum door much stronger but also more expensive. Extruded aluminum screen door frames can be mitered and joined with aluminum alloy corners or can be notched out and joined together with screws that fit in screw holes made as part of the extrusion process.
Extruded aluminum screen doors are generally longer lasting than rollformed screen doors. They are also more easily repaired since, if the corners break, new corners can be inserted without losing the friction fit necessary to hold the door together.
Wood-framed screen doors, hinged and sliding, are also available from limited production and custom carpentry sources, used for aesthetic style and sustainable building applications. Wood-framed screen doors were a fixture of many homes in the American South before air conditioning was common.
Screen door from early 20th century
Retractable screen doors
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An alternative to sliding screen doors is a version of pocket doors, retractable screen doors which 'disappear' out of sight into their own protective housing or casing. These casings can be mounted in several ways. An inside mount is where it can be flush with the door frame. A surface mount can be mounted on the surface of your door frame. Thirdly, you can build your casing inside the wall and your screen and casing will recess completely out of the way. These screen doors are custom made to fit the measurements of your doors.
Most retractable doors use a spring-loaded roller very similar to a window blind, except the roller is mounted vertically when used in a door application. Screen material is attached to the roller while the opposite side of the material is attached to the sliding bar riding on top and bottom tracks. The bar is moved back and forth to open or close the screen. The bar is usually held closed with a magnetic closure. Different types of mesh fabric options are available from standard fiberglass mesh, pet screen resistant mesh and solar screen mesh. The operation of the screens is typically manual, but motorized versions do exist.
See also
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On a hot summer day, an open window or door goes a long way to help keep a space cool.
But while providing air circulation and some relief from the heat, that opening becomes problematic when what’s outside starts making its way inside. For insects, birds, leaves, and large allergens (e.g. those puffballs from a cottonwood tree), an open window or door is an open invitation into a building.
A solution for wide-open windows dating back to the late 1800s, screens keep an element of separation from the great outdoors. Like most window accessories, screens are not a one-size-fits-all product. There are several different types of window screens, each boasting different benefits for your commercial project.
5 Types of Window Screens
A window screen’s mesh material makes a big difference in selecting a mesh that lets you actually enjoy an open window. Of the different types of screens on the market -- all of which prevent pests from entering a space without significantly impeding airflow -- the most popular types of screens include:
- Aluminum
- Fiberglass
- Polyester
- Stainless steel
- Copper-bronze and brass
Have a window or door that needs a screen?
Explore our available window screen options and pricing:
1. Aluminum Screens
Sturdy and strong, aluminum screens are as functional as they are long-lasting.
Boasting durability and low weight, this window screen material type allows for both air and natural light to freely enter a space. At the same time, aluminum screens require minimal maintenance and cleaning and resist rust and corrosion.
Of the different types of metal screens, aluminum window screens are the most common. They come in traditional silver or a charcoal finish.
Because of their reflectivity, silver aluminum screens reduce visibility into a space -- an important consideration for those who want a privacy window screen mesh.
2. Fiberglass Screens
One of the most popular screen types for residential windows and doors, fiberglass window screens are designed for function.
Allowing air to flow into a room with little obstruction, fiberglass screens, such as Phifer’s UltraVue, also keep unwanted outdoor nuisances (insects) where they belong: outside.
Though a cheaper option than other window screen materials, fiberglass mesh screens can still resist certain types of damage during their useful life, such as:
- Dents
- UV ray degradation
- Rot and decay
- Brittleness from extreme temperatures
What sets fiberglass screens apart is their flexibility. When pushed against, fiberglass mesh stretches without immediately tearing. Its pliability preserves your investment.
As most fiberglass screens have a protective coating -- usually black -- they do filter sunlight more than other screens. With less sunlight entering a space, a room stays cooler.
3. Polyester
Another non-metal window mesh, polyester screens rank higher on the durability front.
While more expensive than fiberglass screens, polyester screens are worth the extra investment. During manufacturing, polyester screens are covered with a vinyl coating that upgrades their resistance to cuts and rips. Compared to fiberglass, polyester screens are approximately 7x stronger.
Under normal use, polyester screens are almost impossible to tear without a cutting tool. That’s why they’re ideal in homes with pets -- an overly enthusiastic dog or cat won’t be able to easily damage the screen.
4. Stainless Steel
For screens installed in high-traffic areas or frequently used commercial windows and doors, resilience is a must.
Stainless steel screens represent a long-term investment in integrity. Made from one of the strongest metals, these durable window screens stand up to the most common damages to screens, such as:
- Scratches
- Stretching
- Rips
- Corrosion
Even after years of exposure to the elements, stainless steel screens remain as rigid as the day they were installed. In addition to durability, stainless steel screens, such as SeeVue Insect Screen, deliver what you expect from a window mesh:
- Airflow
- A barrier for insects and other nuisances
- An almost unobstructed view of the outside
When manufactured with a thicker-gauge mesh, stainless steel screens provide enhanced security. Tough to cut through and able to withstand impacts, this heavy-duty window screen material stops unwanted intrusions.
5. Copper-Bronze & Brass
Considered specialty window screens, mesh screens made from copper-bronze and brass combine utility and design.
Primarily meant for aesthetic purposes, these screens add a pop of color to a window while still providing ventilation and a see-through barrier to the outside. Both types of screens are commonly used in period homes and historic restorations.
In addition to being visually appealing, copper-bronze and brass screens are rust-resistant, strong, and long-lasting.
Mesh & Strand Size for Screen Performance
While selecting the appropriate screen material is an important consideration for meeting application demands, so too are a screen’s mesh and strand size. Both factors impact a screen’s performance.
Screen mesh size is a measurement of the holes in a screen. A smaller mesh size means fewer things get through -- including air and light.
Strand size refers to the diameter of each wire comprising a screen mesh. A thicker strand size means more strength and durability. At the same time, thicker strands equal less outward visibility.
Getting the Most From Your Mesh Window Screens
An almost standard part of any window, a screen lets you fully enjoy natural air circulation without having to worry about unpleasant elements from outside getting in. By choosing the right window mesh screen for your commercial project, your screens can do more than keep pests out while letting air in.
Looking for a partner for your next commercial project?
Check out New Angle Beveling's services and capabilities.
(Editor's note: This article was originally published in June 2021 and was recently updated).