Screens 101

This page should answer many of your common - and not so common - questions about screens, their construction, use, and application of components.

First things first...

The most important thing we can advise you to do is to read, not skim or glance, actually read each page completely. The information we provide is presented at a level that should be suitable for most people. We use plain language, simple details and have attempted to make this site as easy to use a possible so you can complete your projects without complications or confusion.

If you have not reviewed our Policies, Terms and Conditions please do so prior to placing any order with us. By placing an order with us you are agreeing to be bound fully by them - If you cannot agree to our Policies, Terms and Conditions please do not order from us.

You should also review Order Standards - This explains how we will interpret your order if your are silent on a specific item or issue.

Insect Screen Basics - Function...

The only intended use of insect screen and sunshading materials is to reasonably stop insects from entering a covered opening. The misuse of insect screen and sunshading materials may lead to injury or death. These items will not stop persons, children, animals, or alike from falling out of or entering through the insect screen and sunshading material covered opening. 

In case that is not clear enough - The purpose of insect screens:
To "Provide Reasonable Protection From Insects"

Basic Screen Components...

All screens are basically made up of the same 5 components: Frame material, corner keys, insect screen, retainer spline, and mounting hardware.

Screen Material Basics...

Screen materials, when used properly and safely, can do so much more than reasonably stop insects. Modern materials are available for sun and heat reduction, pet resistance, as colorful additions or accents for your homes exterior or interior, for filtering, for scientific uses, ceiling tiles,  and much more.  You should have a basic understanding of the industry terms utilized in dealing with screen materials.

Weave: (1) Weaves listed represent the number of material strands per inch in each direction. The higher the numbers - the tighter the weave. Example: Assuming the "gauge" is the same (see gauge below), 18X16 is tighter than 18X14 and 20X20 is tighter than both. The tighter the weave the more stands per inch.

Weave: (2) Weave also represents that actual way the material is woven. There are dozens of weaving styles available for specialized applications but in most cases a "plain weave" is used for the vast majority of insect screening applications. When this is applicable, the weave type for our products is clearly listed.

Gauge: The higher the number the larger the thread (or wire) diameter. Example: .009g is smaller than a .013g.

Openness: Expressed as a percent. This indicates the total proportion of the screen area that is open. At times, the reverse may be indicated....percent of blockage. Example: A material listed as an 80% block would have an openness of 20%. Typically, when used for insect screening purposes, these numbers are approximate and will depend upon the angle of the sun.

Now, just because a product has a tighter weave does not mean it is actually tighter than another product with a less tight weave. Example: our stock 20x20 (.013g) fiberglass -vs- a standard 16x14 (.025g) polyester. While the 20x20 is most definitely a tighter weave it's openness factor (amount of open space) is very close to the 16x14. This is due to the 16x14 being a .025g material - much larger thread diameter.

Our SCREEN MATERIALS PAGE explains in greater detail each of our stock screen materials.

Frame Material Basics...

Frame material is available in hundreds of different profiles (shapes). While they are all different in shape or size they are all produced in one of two ways - 1) by roll forming a flat stock of metal into the desired shape and size hence the name "roll formed" and 2) by extruding softened metal or plastic through a die to form a solid (or hollow) frame hence the name "extruded". Material wall thickness is normally noted as "gauge" or "mil" - One mill = 1/1000 of an inch. (.001). Material lengths will vary by style and manufacturer but for the most part materials sold at the retail level are supplied in lengths of 8' or less. Those supplied at the commercial level are supplied at lengths between 12' and 36'.

Frame material is assembled in many fashions. Typically, corner inserts or some other mechanical method (screws) are used to assemble the frame. Corner inserts can be internal or external corners and can be either high impact plastic, stamped aluminum or steel, or cast. Not all corner options are available for each and every frame material.  Some materials may use screwed corners and other very high quality materials, will used a combination of inserts and screws for a complete and solid assembly. Frame material will need to be cut properly for correct assembly dependent upon corner style chosen. 90 degree cuts are referred to as "Square Cuts" and 45 degree cuts are referred to as "Miter Cuts".

The Lingo / Terminology listed here is a combination of Industry Standard terms, terms used by Connecticut Screen Works^® staff, and terminology used by the general public. Terminology explained here may not accurately reflect the terminology used by other trades or by other manufacturers. You should use caution when using these terms or definitions with other trades. For example: Clear Opening, Swing, and Hinging among others, are some of the terms that have variations in definitions dependent upon which trade it is being used in.

Aluminum:
Basic metal screening product used today. Gauge and coating are far from the older styles once used.  Available in dozens of aluminum alloys, weaves, and gauges. Widths normally 12" to 72".

Anodized:
Electrolytic process used to bond a finish coating to many products. This film may be colored to some degree.

Awning Window:
Similar to a casement window except that the hinge is located at the top.

Bail Latch:
Two styles: spline bail latch which installs into spline channel and slip on bail latch that slips over entire frame. Both use a nail-screw to secure frame in place.

Boston Z-Bar:
Z-bar (storm door hinge) with a reduced width.  7/8" width normally.

Brass:
Another product used on many old and fine homes. Desired for realistic refurbishments. Available in many weaves and gauges. Expensive. Soft. Widths normally from 24" to 48".

Bronze:
Normally a composition of copper and 10% zinc (commercial bronze). Available coated or uncoated - which will extend the screaming bright finish. Well suited for salt exposure. Widths normally from 24" to 60".

Casement Window:
Normally refers to a framed window that extends outward when opening. The hinge is normally located on the side of the unit.

Clear Opening:
The actual opening dimension. Normally the smallest width or height obtained.

Copper:
Used on many old and fine homes. Desired for realistic refurbishments. Available in many weaves and gauges. Expensive. Soft. Widths normally from 24" to 60".

Double Hung Window:
Framed window in which both top and bottom sash operate vertically.

Extruded Frame:
Frame material manufactured from a molten material, normally aluminum or plastic. The molten material is forced through a die to form a solid wall product.

Expander:
A channel normally shaped in the form of a U which will wrap around and expand from the product it is mounted to. Used to reduce gaps. On storm doors, used where a z-bar cannot be used and in conjunction with a piano hinge.

External Key:
A plastic, pressed, stamped, cast, corner component installed partially internal and partially external. This allows two sections of frame material to be connected with a 90 degree or, sometime a 45-degree, miter cut.

Fiberglass:
Base component of fiberglass fabric screen material. Normally coated with a colored PVC coating. Used in most screening applications today. Widths normally from 24" to 108".

Fill:
Screen material strands running the width of the material. Also called "shoot" or "weft".

Frame:
Material used to form the exterior of a screen.

Frame Dimensions:
Always stated in width x height.

Frame Hangers:
Older styles used in wooden framed screens and storm windows. Newer styles used as top retainer for screen panels.

Frame Spring:
Hardware installed on top or side frame edge to exert downward or sideways force on screen frame.

French Door:
Similar to a sliding door except that the lite will open in or out like a standard door. In true French doors, both lites will be operable.

Galvanized:
Steel base material coated with a galvanized finished. Widths normally from 24" to 48".

Gauge:
The thickness of a metal or fabric used. The higher the gauge the thicker the material.

Height:
How tall something is.

Hopper Window:
Similar to an awning and casement window except that the hinge is located along the base.

Handing:
Referring to self storing screen doors. The direction a door will retract and/or expand.

Hanging Screen:
A screen installed utilizing top hangers. Normally used on old style wooden framed screens or storm windows.

Hanging Sliding Screen:
A design of sliding screen door where the door actually hangs from an extruded mounting rail. This rail normally has wheels installed which rolls on an upper reversed track.

Hollow Spline:
Hard or soft rubber variations exist. Normally extruded. Contains a hollow center, which allows for some compaction.

Internal Key:
A plastic, pressed, stamped, cast, corner component installed internally that enable two sections of frame material to be connected with a 45 degree miter cut.

In Swinging:
From the outside looking at in the subject opening - the subject will open inward.

Jalousie Window:
Framed window in which many small horizontal lengths of glass overlap each other. All lengths of glass function at the same time - either open or closed.

Kick Plate:
The lower section of a storm door or screen panel. This section normally has a solid material installed to resist abuse from feet, pets, etc.

Left hinge:
From the outside looking in at the subject opening.  The subject will have a hinge on the left side.

Length:
How long an item is.

Lift and drop:
Installation method where screens are lifted up into a top channel then lowered into a base channel. The top channel is normally deeper than the base channel.

Lip Edge Frame:
Frame material that has a mounting lip molded into the exterior edge.

Little Door:
Same as a wicket.

Mill:
One mill = 1/1000 of an inch. (.001).

Miter Cut Corners:
Normally refers to the usage of internal corners and frame material with 45-degree cuts.

No-See-ums:
Tiny bugs common in coastal and in some inland water areas. Very difficult to see (hence No-See-Um) - very easy to tell your being bitten. 20x20 weave materials will normally stop these nasty and hungry things.

Off Count:
A weave that has more strands per inch in one direction than in the other.

Open Area:
See Openness.

Openness:
The amount of open area. Typical vent meshes have an openness of roughly 80% while some specialty fiberglass have an openness of roughly 10%. See questions at left for additional information.

Opening:
The dimension between parallel adjacent strands. Normally expressed in a decimal part of an inch format.

Out Swinging:
From the outside looking in at the subject opening. The subject will open outward.

Pet Resistant:
Over time, materials with this notation tend to resist normal pawing from pets better than other stock items. "Pet Resistant" does not mean "Pet Proof" !   These materials, like all other materials will not stop a determined cat or charging dog from getting through. Where these products excel is that they typically will not fail as fast as other stock materials.

Perspective:
The perspective used at all times is from the outside looking in at the subject matter.

Plunger Latch:
A spring-loaded latch that extends through the frame material. Operated from the interior by pulling, the exterior end will retract into the frame thus releasing the locking ability of the latch.

Pull Pin:
Same as a plunger latch.

Polyester:
Base component of Polyester screen material. Normally coated with a colored PVC coating. Used in many screening applications today. Heavy in weight and far stronger than commonly found fabric materials. Typically a higher end product with widths normally from 24" to 120" - or more.

Poly Foam Spline:
Spline manufactured from foam. Normally much softer than a rubber spline. Expands well and normally used in irregular shaped spline channels.

Powder Coated:
Process used to finish coat many products. Far stronger than most finishes and lasts far longer than most paints. The coating is baked to the base product. Coatings are available in custom colors and hundreds of stock colors.

Pull:
Referring to self storing screen doors. The direction a door will pull. Either to the left or to the right.

PVC:
Coating used on most fabric materials. Compositions will vary but most are flame retardant.

Rail:
Frame material.

Right Hinge:
From the outside looking in at the subject opening - the subject will have a hinge on the right side.

Reversed Mount:
Referring to self storing window screens. The direction in which the housing has the majority of its bulk-facing exterior.

Roll Formed Frame:
Frame material manufactured from a flat base stock. The base stock is rolled through a series of forms to press the material into the desired shape.

Screwed Corners:
Normally used in heavy duty extruded frame materials. Externally visible screws will extend from the exterior to the interior of the frame material securing itself in a molded internal screw channel or corner insert.

Serrated Spline:
Hard or soft rubber variations exist. Normally extruded with or without a hollow center, which allows for some compaction. Exterior of spline has grooves that allow for bite.

Single Hung Window:
Framed window in which the top sash is non-operable and the lower sash is fully operable.

Sliding Window:
Framed window in which both or one panel slides horizontally.

Sliding Door:
Normally a double framed door in which on lite slides left or right.

Sliding Screen Door:
Basically a large window screen with wheels and/or guides installed on the top and bottom which allow the frame to slide on installed upper and lower tracks.

Smooth Spline:
Hard or soft rubber variations exist. Normally extruded with or without a hollow center.

Solid spline:
Hard or soft rubber variations exist. Normally extruded without a hollow center. Almost no compaction.

Spline:
Product used to secure screen material into a frame.

Spline channel:
The channel molded into the frame material, which is sized to accommodate a specific size spline.

Spring:
Normally used in window screens to exert outward or inward pressure on a screen frame. Verities include coil and flat springs and can be mounted on the top, sides, or base of frames.

Square Mesh:
Material having the same wire - with same gauge - in both directions.

Standard:
Nothing, absolutely nothing, is Standard.

Standard Mount:
Referring to self storing window screens. The direction in which the housing has the majority of its bulk-facing interior.

Stretcher Clip:
Similar to a twist lock except that a portion of the clip extends over the frame and grabs the internal edge of the frame. When mounted, the clip allows a "stretching" of the frame.

Square Cut Corners:
Normally refers the usage of external corners and frame material with 90-degree cuts.

T Spline:
Hard plastic extruded spline that resembles the letter T when viewed from the end.

Tip-to-Tip:
Measuring notation meaning true size. Also referred to as TTT.

Top springs:
Same as top frame springs.

Twist Lock:
Cast or plastic lock screwed in place at one end. The opposite end will rotate. Used to mount screen panels in place.

Vent Screen: Wide weave screen product. Normally 7x7, 9x9, etc. Used in ventilation openings to keep larger bugs out but allow for maximum air flow.

Warp:
Screen material strands running the length of the material.

Weave:
Refers to the strands per inch x strands per inch of a screen material. Warp and fill. The higher the number the more strands per inch.

Wicket:
A small plastic or metal door mounted in a screen. Wickets maybe hinged or sliding. They all allow access to window operators or some other object on the other side of a screen. Normally used on exterior opening casement or awning windows.

Width:
How wide something is.

Z-Bar:
Mounting channel and hinge assembley used on storm and screen doors.