Screen components
Corner keys, spline, pull tabs, springs, clips and rollers supplied with frame profiles, so window makers and screen shops can assemble screens to their own window sizes.
Insect screens & screen components
Aluminium Window Screens, Screen Frames & Mesh
Aluminium window screens are framed panels of woven aluminium mesh that let air and light through a window while keeping out insects, leaves and debris. They are light, do not rust and hold their tension for years. Metline supplies extruded and roll-formed screen frame profiles, corner keys and spline, aluminium mesh rolls and aluminium-magnesium screen wire to window makers, distributors, fabricators and projects worldwide.
- Standard mesh
- 18 × 16, 0.011 in (0.28 mm) wire
- Mesh alloy
- Al-Mg wire, commonly 5154
- Frame alloy
- 6063-T5 extrusion or coated coil
- Supply
- Screens, frames, mesh rolls, wire
What is an aluminium window screen?
A window screen has two parts: a rigid frame that fits the window opening and a mesh stretched across it and locked into a groove with a flexible spline. Both parts can be made from aluminium, and that combination is the long-standing standard in North America and much of the rest of the world because it is light, strong, stable in sunlight and resistant to corrosion.
Aluminium mesh has three advantages over the main alternative, vinyl-coated fibreglass. It is stiffer, so it stays flat and taut across large openings, although a hard knock can crease it where fibreglass would spring back. It does not soften or sag in heat. And it is more resistant to tearing by cats, birds and wind-blown debris. Fibreglass is cheaper, softer and easier to install, which is why both are widely used; the choice depends on the application.
The frame is just as important. A frame that twists or bows lets insects in around the edges, so screen frames are made from extruded 6063 aluminium or roll-formed coated aluminium strip, both of which are rigid, light and finished to match the window.
Frame profile, components, mesh roll or wire?
Buyers of window screen materials fall into a few groups, and each needs a different product. Deciding which one you need is the first step in an enquiry.
Screen frame profiles
Extruded or roll-formed frame sections in lengths, with corner keys and spline, for window manufacturers and local fabricators who assemble screens themselves.
Mesh rolls
Woven aluminium insect mesh in standard widths and roll lengths, for screen shops, window makers and retail distribution.
Screen wire
Drawn aluminium-magnesium wire in coils for mesh weavers and wire-cloth producers.
Integrated window and screen
Windows designed with a screen track or sash built into the frame, so the screen is aligned and sealed by design. Common in sliding and casement systems.
Spare parts
Corner keys, spline, pull tabs, leaf springs, plunger latches and turn buttons for existing screens.
Types of aluminium window screen
| Screen type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed (removable) screen | Framed panel held in the window opening by springs, clips or turn buttons; removed for cleaning | Single- and double-hung windows, fixed and awning windows |
| Sliding screen | Screen sash running in its own track alongside the glass sashes | Horizontal sliding windows and patio doors |
| Hinged (side-opening) fly screen | Framed screen on hinges that opens like a small door | Outward-opening casement windows where the screen sits inside |
| Inward-fitting fly screen | Frame fitted from the inside, covering a window that opens outwards | European and Asian casement windows |
| Outward-mounted retrofit frame | Frame screwed to the outside of an existing window reveal | Retrofitting screens to windows not designed for them |
| Retractable (roller or pleated) screen | Mesh rolls into a cassette or folds like an accordion when not in use | Large openings, French doors, tilt-and-turn windows |
| Security screen | Heavy frame with stainless steel or perforated aluminium mesh fixed to resist forced entry | Ground-floor windows, high-crime or cyclone areas |
The key compatibility question is the direction the window opens. A casement window that opens outwards needs a screen on the inside, while a sliding or hung window can take a screen on the outside. Integrated systems, where the screen track is part of the window frame, solve this at the design stage and are the cleanest option for new construction.
Aluminium screen mesh sizes and specifications
Mesh is described by the number of openings per linear inch in each direction (for example 18 × 16) and by the wire diameter. More openings per inch keep out smaller insects but reduce airflow and visibility slightly; thicker wire is stronger but reduces open area.
| Mesh (per inch) | Wire diameter | Approx. opening | Open area | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 × 14 | 0.016 in (0.41 mm) | 1.4 mm | About 60 % | Heavy-duty and pet-resistant screens, high-traffic doors |
| 16 × 16 | 0.011 in (0.28 mm) | 1.3 mm | About 67 % | General window and door screens |
| 18 × 14 | 0.011 in (0.28 mm) | 1.1 × 1.5 mm | About 67 % | Common North American standard screening |
| 18 × 16 | 0.011 in (0.28 mm) | 1.1 × 1.3 mm | About 66 % | The most widely used insect screen mesh |
| 18 × 18 | 0.011 in (0.28 mm) | 1.1 mm | About 64 % | Finer protection where small insects are common |
| 20 × 20 | 0.009 – 0.010 in | Under 1.0 mm | About 60 % | Small-insect ("no-see-um") screens for midges and sand flies |
Openings and open areas are calculated from mesh count and wire diameter and are approximate; supplier data for a given weave may differ slightly. Woven wire cloth is generally specified to ASTM E2016.
Standard roll formats
- Widths
- 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60, 72 and 84 in; metric widths from about 0.6 to 1.5 m
- Roll lengths
- 25, 50 and 100 ft (about 7.6 to 30.5 m), or cut pieces
- Wire alloy
- Aluminium-magnesium alloy, most commonly 5154; drawn and annealed for weaving
- Colours
- Bright (mill) aluminium, charcoal and black coated mesh
- Packing
- Rolls in cartons with end caps, palletised for export
Charcoal and black mesh reduce glare and are less visible from outside, giving a clearer view through the screen. Bright mesh reflects light and is more noticeable but costs slightly less.
Screen frame profiles: extruded vs roll-formed
Screen frames come in two constructions. Both are aluminium; they differ in how the section is made, which affects stiffness, appearance and cost.
| Feature | Extruded frame | Roll-formed frame |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Hot aluminium pushed through a die into a hollow or open section | Pre-painted coil bent through forming rolls into a tube |
| Material | 6063-T5 or 6060-T5 extrusion | Coated 3105, 3003 or 5052 strip |
| Typical wall | About 0.8 – 1.5 mm | About 0.4 – 0.6 mm |
| Stiffness | High; resists bowing on large screens | Adequate for typical window sizes |
| Features | Integrated spline groove, hardware channels, Euro-groove, brush-seal grooves | Simple spline groove; fewer features |
| Finish | Powder coat or anodising after extrusion | Coil-coated before forming |
| Best for | Sliding screens, large and hinged screens, premium windows | High-volume replacement screens for hung and slider windows |
Corners are joined with internal corner keys, usually die-cast zinc, aluminium or nylon, pressed or crimped into the frame ends. Extruded frames can also be mitred and crimped or screwed through the corner. A brush or pile seal along the edges closes the gap between the screen and the window frame, which is where most insects actually get in.
For window manufacturers, the frame section should be designed around the window: groove positions, the visible face width, hardware fit and the colour all need to match. Custom dies make this possible on larger programmes. For other frame profiles see 6063 aluminium extrusions and aluminium window profiles.
Aluminium mesh compared with fibreglass, stainless and other screens
| Property | Aluminium | Fibreglass (vinyl-coated) | Stainless steel | Polyester / pet screen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength and tear resistance | Good | Fair | Very high | High |
| Dent / crease resistance | Fair; can crease | Excellent; springs back | Excellent | Good |
| Visibility | Very good | Good | Very good | Fair (thicker strands) |
| Heat and UV stability | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Corrosion resistance | Good; coated mesh better near the sea | Does not corrode | Excellent (316 best) | Does not corrode |
| Ease of installation | Moderate; needs care to avoid creasing | Easy | Hard | Moderate |
| Relative cost | Moderate | Low | High | Moderate–high |
| Best for | General windows and doors, long life | Budget and DIY replacement | Security and bushfire areas | Homes with pets |
Aluminium is the balanced choice for most windows. Choose stainless steel when security, bushfire (ember) protection or a very long life in coastal air is the priority, and pet-resistant polyester screening on low doors that animals push against. In salt-spray zones, charcoal or black coated aluminium mesh lasts noticeably longer than bright mesh.
Frame colours, mesh colours and finishes
| Item | Common colours | Finish options |
|---|---|---|
| Screen frames | White, black, bronze, silver, champagne, tan, almond | Powder coating, anodising, coil coating, wood-grain |
| Mesh | Charcoal, black, bright aluminium | Coated or uncoated wire |
| Spline and corners | Black, grey, white | EPDM or PVC spline; zinc, aluminium or nylon corners |
Frame colour is normally matched to the window frame so that the screen disappears into the opening. For exterior frames on coastal or high-UV sites, specify powder coating to AAMA 2604 or Qualicoat Class 2, or anodising of at least 15 – 20 µm, so that the frame colour lasts as long as the window.
Standards, testing and quality checks
Screens are simple products, but a few specifications separate a durable screen from one that sags, rattles or lets insects in around the edge.
- Mesh: mesh count, wire diameter and weave consistency checked against the order, with woven wire cloth specified to ASTM E2016
- Frame material: extruded frames to ASTM B221 or EN 755, roll-formed strip to ASTM B209 or EN 485, with mill test certificates
- Frame performance: North American tubular-frame window screens are commonly specified to ANSI/SMA 1004 from the Screen Manufacturers Association
- Fit: overall size tolerances of about ±1.5 mm (1/16 in) so screens sit snugly without binding
- Tension: mesh stretched evenly with no ripples, bulges or loose areas at the spline
- Corners: square, tight and free of gaps; the frame should not twist when lifted by one corner
- Coating: film thickness, adhesion and colour checked against the specified standard
Who uses aluminium window screens
Window and door manufacturers
Frame profiles, mesh and hardware matched to their window systems, so they can ship a screen with each window.
Distributors and importers
Mesh rolls in retail widths and lengths, and frame profiles with corner keys in standard lengths for resale.
Residential projects
Frame profiles and mesh for every window in an apartment block or housing estate, cut, labelled and packed by building and floor for the screen fabricator.
Hotels, schools and hospitals
Durable, easy-to-clean screens that allow natural ventilation without insects, often with security mesh at ground level.
Replacement programmes
Measured replacement screens for older windows, often as outward-mounted retrofit frames.
Agricultural and industrial buildings
Large insect screens for ventilation openings in food processing, warehouses and livestock buildings.
A typical apartment project might use 18 × 16 charcoal mesh in white extruded frames on every sliding window, with brush seals on the meeting edges, and 14 × 14 heavy-duty mesh on balcony screen doors where traffic is higher.
How to order aluminium window screens
- Choose the product formFrame profiles, screen components, mesh rolls or wire.
- Give sizes and quantitiesScreen sizes by window type for cut profiles, profile drawings and lengths, or mesh count, width and roll length.
- Specify colours and finishFrame colour and coating standard, and mesh colour.
- Confirm hardware and fittingHow the screen fixes to the window: springs, clips, hinges, rollers or track.
- Packing and shippingLabelled by size or room, packed in cartons or crates, and shipped on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms with material certificates.
References and standards
- ASTM E2016 – Standard Specification for Industrial Woven Wire Cloth
- ANSI/SMA 1004 – Aluminum Tubular Frame Screens for Windows (Screen Manufacturers Association)
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
- EN 755-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles, mechanical properties
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
Aluminium (aluminum) window screens: frequently asked questions
What is the standard mesh size for window screens?
18 × 16 mesh with 0.011 in (0.28 mm) wire is the most common insect screen. It keeps out flies and mosquitoes while giving roughly two-thirds open area for airflow. Use 20 × 20 where midges and sand flies are a problem, and 14 × 14 heavy-duty mesh for high-traffic doors.
Is aluminium or fibreglass screen better?
Aluminium is stiffer, more tear-resistant and stays taut in heat, and it gives very good visibility. Fibreglass is cheaper, easier to install and does not crease. Aluminium suits long-life windows and doors; fibreglass suits budget and DIY replacement.
Does aluminium window screen rust?
No. Aluminium does not rust. Screen wire is an aluminium-magnesium alloy, commonly 5154, which resists corrosion well. Near the sea, bright mesh can slowly oxidise and dull, so charcoal or black coated mesh is recommended for coastal sites.
Why choose charcoal or black mesh?
Dark mesh reflects less light, so it is less visible from outside and gives a clearer, less hazy view from inside. Its coating also adds some protection against corrosion.
Can you supply screen frame profiles to match our windows?
Yes. Metline supplies extruded screen frame profiles with the groove positions, face width and colour to suit your window system, along with corner keys, spline and mesh, so you can assemble screens locally.
Do you supply finished, assembled screens?
No. We supply frame profiles cut to your screen sizes, with mesh, spline, corner keys and fixing hardware, for your fabricator to assemble. To quote, send screen sizes and quantities by type, frame colour, mesh type and colour, the fixing method and the destination.
Need aluminium window screens or screen components?
Tell us whether you need frame profiles, screen components, mesh rolls or wire, with sizes and quantities. We will reply with options and a delivered price.
