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5 Types of Window Screens to Upgrade Your Home

Posted by: Raj Kain

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Published On: Jan 29, 2025

A worker installing a mesh wire screen over a window

Window screens may seem like a small detail in your home, but they can have a surprising impact on your comfort, security, and energy costs. Different types offer unique features and benefits for your home—from insect protection to UV blocking. But are you using the right type?

If you’re planning to install new windows or replace your current ones, you need to understand your window screen options to make the best choice for your needs. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of window screens and their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. Let’s get started!

Window Screen Material Types Window Screen Frame Types
  • Fixed Frame Screens
  • Adjustable Frame Screens
  • Retractable Screens
  • Sliding Screens

1. Fibreglass Screens 

🏠 Best for: Casement and double-hung windows in main living spaces requiring regular ventilation

Fiberglass window screens are the go-to types of window screens for residential homes—and for good reason. They’re affordable, provide excellent visibility, and stand up well to the variable Canadian climate. Most fiberglass screens are made of PVC-coated glass filaments so they’re great at filtering both sunlight and insects. Great for keeping your home cool too! 

Fibreglass mesh window screens are highly flexible so they won’t dent or crease when impacted, making them ideal for high-traffic areas and frequently used windows. That said, they’re best paired with fixed or sliding window screen frame types as they’re vulnerable to stretching or sagging in retractable screens. 

Pros Cons
  • Most affordable screen material
  • Excellent visibility (does not create glare)
  • Flexible and won’t dent
  • Easy to install and cut
  • Lightweight
  • Less durable than metal screens
  • Can tear more easily
  • May sag over time
  • Not suitable for high-wind areas
  • Needs more frequent replacement

Close up of a metal window screen

Image Source: Shutterstock

2. Aluminum Screens 

🏠 Best for: Ground-floor casement and slider windows where durability is essential

Aluminum is one of the best window screen material types for situations where strength matters. These screens maintain their shape exceptionally well, even in high-wind conditions. While they cost more than fibreglass options, their longevity makes them a smart investment.

Aluminum screens are also remarkably easy to clean and maintain—just a quick rinse with soapy water keeps them looking new. They’re compatible with most window screen frame types and are particularly effective in fixed or sliding screen doors where their strength provides extra protection.

Pros Cons
  • Very durable and long-lasting
  • Holds shape well
  • Rust and corrosion-resistant
  • Better security than fibreglass
  • Strong enough for high-wind areas
  • More expensive than fibreglass
  • Can crease or dent if hit
  • Slightly less visibility than fibreglass
  • Can oxidize over time (with no coating/treatment)
  • More difficult to install

3. Polyester Screens 

🏠 Best for: Bay windows and picture windows in sun-exposed areas; homes with pets

If you’re tired of replacing or repairing screens shredded by enthusiastic pets, polyester screens might be your solution. These window screen types are often coated in vinyl for extra durability, making them stronger than standard fibreglass. 

Many polyester screens offer excellent UV resistance so they’re perfect for large, sun-exposed areas where you want to protect your furniture from fading. While more expensive than other window screen materials, their longevity, and pet-resistant properties make them a practical investment. Specialty polyester mesh screens also work well for retractable screens if that’s your preference.

Pros Cons
  • Excellent UV resistance
  • Strong tear resistance
  • Maintains shape well
  • Good visibility
  • Weather-resistant
  • More expensive than fibreglass
  • Limited colour options
  • Less common/harder to find
  • Less flexible than fibreglass window screen types
  • More difficult to repair

A set of window screens leaning against a brick wall

Image Source: Shutterstock

4. Copper-Bronze & Brass Screens 

🏠 Best for: heritage homes

Heritage homes deserve window screens with character, and nothing ages more gracefully than copper-bronze and brass. These types of screens are often used strictly for aesthetic purposes or to meet heritage conservation guidelines, but they’re remarkably practical too. 

They’re highly durable, naturally resistant to coastal air corrosion, and offer antimicrobial properties. As they age, they develop a distinctive blue-green patina that many homeowners prize. 

Pros Cons
  • Natural antimicrobial properties
  • Extremely durable
  • Develops protective patina
  • Won’t corrode in coastal areas
  • Useful material for heritage homes
  • Most expensive screen material
  • Limited availability
  • Patina changes appearance over time
  • Requires special cleaning methods
  • Requires sturdy window screen frame types

5. Stainless Steel Screens 

🏠 Best for: Basement windows, ground-floor sliders, and security-focused areas

Need serious protection for your windows? With screens like stainless steel, you have unmatched security and durability in one package. Combined with security-focused types of window screen clips, these screens offer superior protection against tampering while resisting corrosion and extreme weather.

They work best in fixed or sliding frames that can support their robust construction. While they cost more than standard screens, they will last you much longer. 

Pros Cons
  • Highest strength of all screen materials
  • Fire-resistant
  • Won’t corrode or rust
  • Excellent security barrier
  • Ideal for coastal areas
  • High cost
  • Reduced visibility compared to fibreglass
  • Heavier than other materials
  • Less flexible for installation
  • Can be difficult to cut and shape

Upgrade Your Windows for Year-Round Comfort with Burano Doors 

The best types of window screens may enhance your home’s comfort and protection, but they’re only as effective as the windows they’re paired with. Pair them with the best of the best!

Burano Doors is Ontario’s leading window and door manufacturer. Our windows are 100% Canadian-made in our Vaughan factory, which means you get premium quality at factory-direct prices.

Plus, we take care of everything—from expert installation to lifetime warranty coverage, including no-cost replacement parts. So while you’re considering window screen types, let us help you create the perfect foundation for them. Contact us today for a free in-home estimate or schedule a consultation!

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