Standard insect mesh
About 58% open
Our usual choice for fresh air, a clear view and insect protection.
Available on: Compatible captured edge doors, Serene windows, Magnetic windows, Executive, Ziptrak.
Insect Screen Mesh Options NZ
Compare every mesh and fabric across our doors, windows, and outdoor blinds - and where each one is available.
7 options Meshes + fabrics across the range
Midge mesh For coastal + estuary homes
Solar mesh Cuts heat and glare
Pet mesh Resists paws and claws
Since 1999 NZ owned
Choosing the right insect screen mesh
The mesh you choose changes how a screen performs - what it keeps out, how much you can see, and how much air and heat get through. Phantom Screens NZ offers seven meshes and fabrics across our door, window, and outdoor ranges. Not every product takes every mesh, so each section below says where it is available.
Compare them at a glance in the mesh comparison below, download our mesh selection guide (PDF), or see the woven fabric swatches - real weave photos of every solar, privacy, and outdoor colourway.
Standard insect mesh (18x14)
The default for most inland homes - a balanced weave (about 58% openness) that keeps out flies, mosquitoes, and spiders while staying high-visibility and letting plenty of air through. It is our usual starting point when airflow is the priority.
Available on captured edge doors, Serene and magnetic windows, and Executive and Ziptrak outdoor screens. Brio uses its own pleated mesh.
Midge mesh (18x18 no-see-um)
A finer weave for coastal and estuary properties, where standard mesh lets sandflies and midges through. It keeps the smaller insects out and stays high-visibility, so your views are largely unchanged.
Available on captured edge doors, Serene and magnetic windows, and Executive and Ziptrak outdoor screens. Brio uses its own pleated mesh.
Solar / privacy mesh
A tight architectural weave (E-Screen, 10% or 6% openness) that cuts a meaningful share of the sun’s heat, glare, and UV on hot, sunny openings, and softens the view in for more daytime privacy - good for west-facing rooms and overlooked windows. See the full E-Screen colour range and confirm a colour against physical samples.
Available on Serene windows, compatible 80 mm captured edge doors, Executive and Ziptrak outdoor screens. Not available on 45 or 60 mm captured edge units or Brio.
Pet mesh
PawScreen Lite is a vinyl-coated polyester weave intended to resist light damage from small pets. It is more visible and less open than standard mesh. It is not pet-proof or a containment barrier. Read our advice on pets that jump or climb before choosing.
Available on compatible captured edge doors and Executive outdoor screens. Not available on Serene, Brio or manual Ziptrak.
Blockout fabric
The Serene 100% Blockout upgrade: the same discreet cassette with a Vibe blockout fabric instead of insect mesh, for room darkening in bedrooms and media rooms. Light can still enter around the installation. It is a light-control fabric, not an insect screen.
Available on Serene window screens; also a special order on Executives fitted indoors, for room darkening behind large glass openings - ask us.
Outdoor fabrics and clear PVC
Outdoor blinds also take a woven privacy-fabric range (Vtex Extreme, Plus, Ultra, and View colourways) for sun control and privacy, and clear PVC for shelter without airflow through the panel. An outdoor blind does not create a sealed room.
Available on Executive motorised (140/180 mm housings) and Ziptrak outdoor blinds.
Brio 612 Pleated Screen
The Brio 612 pleated door screen uses its own pleated mesh as part of the system. It has no alternative mesh or pet-mesh option.
Not sure which mesh you need?
Tell us about your home - coastal or inland, sunny or shaded, pets or not - and send photos and rough window sizes through the quote form. We will recommend the right mesh and come back with an indicative price. You can also download our mesh selection guide (PDF).
Choose your mesh
Start with airflow
Standard insect mesh is our usual choice for fresh air. Compare the more specialised options when smaller insects, pets, glare or privacy matter.
Openness is the proportion of open space in the weave, not a measured airflow rate. Figures are approximate.
Midge mesh
About 48% open
A finer weave for smaller insects, with less airflow than standard mesh.
Available on: Compatible captured edge doors, Serene windows, Magnetic windows, Executive, Ziptrak.
Pet mesh
About 45% open
Resists light damage from small pets. Not pet-proof or a containment barrier.
Available on: Compatible captured edge doors, Executive.
Solar mesh
6% or 10% open
E-Screen reduces glare and provides shade, with much less open space for airflow.
Available on: Compatible 80 mm captured edge doors, Serene windows, Executive, Ziptrak.
Blockout fabric
Opaque fabric
Vibe fabric for room darkening. Edge light depends on the installation.
Available on: Serene windows.
Clear PVC
No open weave
Clear shelter without airflow through the panel. Not a sealed room.
Available on: Executive (140/180 mm), Ziptrak.
Outdoor privacy fabrics
Varies by fabric
Visiontex fabrics for shade and daytime privacy. Choose using physical samples.
Available on: Executive (140/180 mm), Ziptrak.
Brio 612 Pleated Screen uses dedicated pleated mesh. It has no alternative mesh or pet-mesh option. We confirm size, fabric and compatibility with your quote.
The meshes, up close
The same screen frame takes different meshes - standard insect, midge, solar/privacy, and pet. A few installs across our window and door range.
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Standard insect mesh on a retractable window screen.
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High-visibility mesh keeps the outlook largely unchanged.
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Vibe blockout on a Serene window screen - room-darkening.
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Vinyl-coated pet mesh where cats and dogs use the opening.
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Whichever mesh you choose, the screen retracts out of sight.
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Standard insect mesh keeps flying insects out at the opening.
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High-visibility mesh keeps the outlook clear.
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A retractable screen across a wide sliding-door opening keeps the view open.
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A retractable door screen closed across French doors, the view through kept clear.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which mesh should I choose for a coastal home? +
Midge mesh. It has a tighter weave than standard insect mesh, so it keeps out the sandflies and midges common around the coast and estuaries while still letting air through.
Does solar mesh really reduce heat and glare? +
Yes. Solar/privacy mesh is a tight E-Screen weave (10% or 6% openness) that cuts a meaningful share of the sun's heat, glare, and UV on hot, sunny openings, and it softens the view into the room for more daytime privacy.
Is pet mesh worth it? +
Pet mesh resists light damage from small pets, but is not pet-proof or a containment barrier. Tell us about your pet before choosing. It is available on compatible captured edge door screens and Executive outdoor blinds. Brio has no pet-mesh option.
Can I still see out through midge mesh? +
Yes. Midge mesh is tighter than standard mesh but still high-visibility, so your outlook stays clear while the smaller insects are kept out.
Are you the same company as Phantom Screens in the US or Canada? +
Phantom Screens NZ is New Zealand owned and run, and part of the wider Phantom Screens family. Phantom in Canada leads much of the group's research and development, and a few of our door and outdoor ranges are made to measure by Phantom in Australia, where our New Zealand volumes are too low to make them here. Most of our screens are made to measure in our own Tauranga workshop.