Q: What is the best type of screen material for a screened porch?
A: Fiberglass and aluminum are the two main choices for a screen porch material. The holes in both types of screens are small enough to keep insects out. Some builders believe fiberglass is a better choice for most projects (the exception being when you want to match a pre-existing aluminum screen). Fiberglass screen doesn’t rust or stain and is more flexible than aluminum screens. Fiberglass doesn’t rip or scratch as easily as aluminum and has far more color choices and styles than aluminum. However, other builders still prefer aluminum screen’s proven long-term resistance to sagging. For aluminum screens, charcoal or black are the most popular choices because they appear almost invisible from the inside while reducing the glare associated with silver aluminum.