Porch Shades & Screens

Southern regions of the United States are known for biting insects: mosquitoes, no-seeums, and horse flies. Screening a patio or porch creates a barrier between you and those bothersome creatures, while still letting you enjoy your outdoor space. South Carolina is known to have worrisome mosquitoes all summer long and into the fall.

Some insect meshes offer a 45%, 50% and 64% UV Block, helping to reduce heat gain and still allow for great airflow. Screening a porch provides some relief from summer heat. Make sure to select a polyester core PVC coated mesh for heat relief.

Screening a porch also adds value to your home and comfort. Southern regions enjoy warm weather up until late fall or early winter. Folks love sitting outside to enjoy fresh air, views, nature, or time with family. Screening also helps keep out falling leaves, rodents, and nesting birds. Just keep in mind that spiders, lizards, lady bugs, and stink bugs somehow find ways into our homes and on our porches — sometimes hitching a ride on a shirt or pant leg.

No-seeum insects are commonly found in marshy coastal areas of the Southern regions of the country. They are tiny winged insects that are about 1 mm to 3 mm long. Their bite hurts and leaves an itchy spot.

Phifer No-seeum mesh has a 20 x 20 grid, meaning there are 20 holes horizontally and 20 holes vertically per square inch. Phifer No-seeum mesh is a fiberglass core vinyl coated mesh with a .013 strand thickness. Airflow is reduced.

Twitchell Nano 70 No-seeum mesh has a 23 x 21 grid, meaning there are 23 holes horizontally and 21 holes vertically per square inch. Twitchell’s tight woven mesh is a polyester core PVC coated mesh with a .021 strand thickness. No-seeum insects will have a tough time getting through those tiny holes. Note that airflow is reduced.

No-seeum mesh is a densely woven mesh that does restrict airflow compared to a 17 x 14 or 18 x 14 grid mesh. Phifer No-seeum has a 20 x 20 grid and Twitchell Nano 70 has a 23 x 21 grid. More holes per square inch means smaller holes and more material. Outward views are still great, but airflow is reduced.

Select an 18 x 14 grid, 17 x 14 grid, or 17 x 17 grid for best airflow. A 17 x 14 grid mesh means 17 holes in one direction and 14 in another per square inch. Fewer holes means bigger holes, which means better airflow.

A polyester core vinyl (PVC) coated mesh is the strongest mesh and has the best warranty. The composition is the most important feature and the thickness second.

Phifer TuffScreen is a polyester core PVC coated mesh with a .018 strand thickness and a 10-year warranty. TuffScreen is tear and puncture resistant, making it more ideal for use around pets. The mesh also naturally provides some UVA block, helps reduce heat gain, glare, and UVA damage, and offers great airflow with good outward visibility.

Twitchell Nano 50 and Nano 55 (commonly known as Super Screen) is a PVC coated polyester mesh with a .020 strand thickness and a 15-year limited warranty. Nano 50 and 55 are tear and puncture resistant, with a 50% UV Block (no fading; reduces heat gain, glare, and UVA damage). A 17 x 14 or 17 x 17 grid provides great airflow and outward visibility.

Phifer PetScreen was designed to be pet resistant. It is a polyester core vinyl coated mesh with a .032 strand thickness, good airflow, and a 10-year warranty. It withstands most clawing, chewing, and pushing, and has a 60% UV Block.

Twitchell Nano 50 or 55 (commonly known as Super Screen) provides great airflow, great outward views, and some heat gain reduction. Nano 50 and 55 have a 50% UV Block that reflects infrared rays that cause heat gain. If heat gain is a big problem, consider a 90%, 95%, or 97% UV Block mesh by Twitchell. The 17 x 14 and 17 x 17 grids are ideal for airflow. Both meshes keep out flies and mosquitoes, and carry a 15-year limited warranty.

Phifer TuffScreen also provides great airflow, outward views, and some heat gain reduction, keeps flies and mosquitoes at bay, and has a 10-year warranty. If heat gain and glare are a problem, consider Phifer Suntex solar meshes with 80%, 90%, 95%, and 97% UV Block.

The most common material used over the past twenty years is aluminum screen framing extrusions. Many other options exist, old and new:

Aluminum Extrusion

• Five color finishes: dark bronze, white, ivory, clay, and black
• Allows for up to 200 sf openings
• Material comes in 24′ lengths — ideal for taller and wider spans with zero splicing
• Three width sizes
• Can frame arched openings with the 1/2″ x 1″ extrusion
• Screen mesh can be pulled drum tight
• Framing extrusions match custom aluminum screen doors by PCA Products
• Installed on the inside jamb of porch openings

Screen-Eze — spline-free nylon capping

• Four color finishes: bronze, white, sand, and clay
• Can screen up to 150 sf openings
• Material comes in 8′ and 12′ lengths (seams where spans are longer than 12′)
• Small footprint ideal for exterior or in-jamb mounting
• Screen mesh can be pulled drum tight
• Ideal for framing acute angles in gable openings

Fast Track — aluminum tracking with hidden fasteners

• Three color finishes: dark bronze, white, and black
• Material comes in 8′ lengths
• Installed on the inside jamb of porch openings

Screen-Tight — PVC base and capping

• Four color finishes: white, gray, beige, and brown
• No visible fasteners — good for DIY
• Installed on the outside surface of post and header
• Founded and made in South Carolina

Staple and Lattice — traditional option

• Can paint or stain any desired color
• Designed for 2 x 4 framed porches — surface mount
• Least expensive porch screening trim

Rolled Form Aluminum Framing — small profile with round spline channel

• Two color options
• Small profile with round spline
• Ideal for exterior or in-jamb mounting

Flat Splined Aluminum Lattice Trim

• Cross between aluminum extrusion framing and wood lattice trim
• Two color finishes: dark bronze and white
• Great for openings where handrails occupy the outermost edge of the post surface
• Installed on the outside surface of post and header

Palmetto Outdoor Spaces has used all seven screen framing options since 2013 and can help you choose the right option for your porch or patio — including constraints, pricing, and value. If you live in South Carolina or Western North Carolina, call to schedule a free in-home consultation.

• 6 x 6 x 24 extruded load post — Bronze & White
• 4 x 4 x 24 extruded load post — Bronze, Ivory & White
• 3 x 3 x 20 extruded load with spline channel — Bronze, Ivory, White & Clay
• 3 x 2 x 24 extruded screen frame cross member with spline channel — Bronze, Ivory, White & Clay
• 2 x 2 x 24 extruded screen frame cross member with spline channel — Bronze, Ivory, White & Clay
• 1 x 2 x 24 extruded screen frame with spline channel — Bronze, Ivory, White & Clay
• 1 x 1 x 24 hand rail pickets — Bronze, Ivory, White & Clay
• 1/2 x 1 x 24 screen framing with spline channel

Bronze, White, Ivory, and Taupe (Clay) material is available for chair rail with 1 x 1 pickets.