No-see-um (20×20) mesh vs Fiberglass (18×14) mesh
Screen mesh selection determines what gets through the screen room walls. Standard 18×14 fiberglass mesh stops mosquitoes but lets Northeast Florida's biting midges (no-see-ums) and gnats pass freely. 20×20 mesh has tighter weave that stops them.
No-see-um (20×20) mesh
Finer weave, stops biting midges
Fiberglass (18×14) mesh
Standard residential screen
How they stack up.
| Dimension | No-see-um (20×20) mesh | Fiberglass (18×14) mesh |
|---|---|---|
| Cost premium at install | +10–20% on mesh portion | Baseline |
| Stops mosquitoes | Yes | Yes |
| Stops no-see-ums | Yes | No |
| Visibility through screen | Slightly reduced | Baseline clarity |
| Airflow | Marginally reduced | Baseline |
| Retrofit cost | Several times install-time premium | N/A |
No-see-um mesh is the right call essentially always in Northeast Florida — biting midges make full-summer screen-room usability difficult with standard mesh, and the install-time premium is small.
Standard fiberglass remains acceptable for screen rooms where summer evening use isn't planned, or in inland areas where biting midge populations are lower.
- Mesh weave specifications (industry standard)
- Florida agricultural extension service publications on Florida biting insects
Tivey services for this work.
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