Not all screen mesh is created equal — and on the Emerald Coast, the screen material you choose matters more than in most places. Between the salt air, intense Florida sun, frequent rain, and the occasional hurricane, your screen mesh needs to handle conditions that would destroy cheaper materials in just a few years.
After 20+ years of building screen enclosures in Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa counties, we've installed every type of screen mesh on the market. Here's an honest breakdown of your options and what we recommend for Emerald Coast homeowners.
Standard Fiberglass Screen
Best for: Budget-friendly projects, low-traffic enclosures
Standard fiberglass mesh is the most common screen material used in Florida. It's affordable, provides good visibility, and does the basic job of keeping bugs out.
Pros: Lowest cost per square foot. Doesn't dent or crease like metal screens. Good airflow and visibility. Easy to install and rescreen.
Cons: Shortest lifespan of all options — typically 5 to 8 years on the coast. Fades and becomes brittle with UV exposure. Tears easily from pets, branches, or minor impacts. Can develop small holes that let insects through.
Fiberglass works fine for a screen under or a low-traffic patio enclosure where you're not too concerned about long-term durability. But for pool enclosures and high-use areas, we usually recommend stepping up to a better material.
Phifer Super Screen
Best for: Emerald Coast homeowners who want durability without sacrificing visibility
Phifer Super Screen is what we install most often at Anthony's Screens, and there's a good reason for it. It's made from a vinyl-coated polyester that's significantly stronger than standard fiberglass while still providing excellent airflow and outward visibility.
Pros: 3x stronger than standard fiberglass. Excellent UV resistance — holds its color and integrity much longer. Resists tears, punctures, and stretching. Great visibility and airflow. Typically lasts 10 to 15 years on the coast.
Cons: Costs more than standard fiberglass (but less than you'd think). Slightly reduced inward visibility compared to fiberglass.
For most Emerald Coast homeowners, Super Screen hits the sweet spot between cost, durability, and performance. It handles our salt air and sun exposure far better than fiberglass, and the price difference pays for itself in fewer rescreening jobs over the life of your enclosure.
Aluminum Screen Mesh
Best for: Maximum durability, high-wind areas, homeowners who want the longest-lasting option
Aluminum screen mesh is the heavyweight of screen materials. It's a solid metal mesh that won't tear, stretch, or degrade from UV exposure the way fiberglass and polyester screens do.
Pros: Extremely durable — resistant to tears and punctures. Excellent for coastal environments (won't corrode if properly coated). Longest lifespan of any screen material. Maintains tension well over time. Fire-resistant.
Cons: Higher cost. Can dent if struck hard. Slightly less visibility than lighter-colored mesh options. Can oxidize if the coating wears thin.
Aluminum screen is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to install their screens and not think about them for a long time. We recommend it especially for pool enclosures and enclosures in high-exposure areas near the Gulf where salt air is most intense.
Pet-Resistant Screen (Pet Screen)
Best for: Homeowners with dogs or cats
If you've got pets — especially large dogs — standard fiberglass doesn't stand a chance. Pet screen is made from a heavy-duty vinyl-coated polyester that's roughly 7 times stronger than standard fiberglass. It's specifically designed to resist claws, scratching, and the general wear and tear that comes with active pets.
Pros: Extremely resistant to pet damage. 7x stronger than standard fiberglass. Good UV resistance. Available in standard and premium grades.
Cons: Reduced visibility and airflow compared to lighter screens — it's noticeably darker. Higher cost. The heavier material can be more difficult to install in certain frame types.
A common approach we use at Anthony's Screens is to install pet screen on the lower portions of an enclosure (where pets can reach) and standard or Super Screen on the upper sections. This gives you durability where you need it and visibility where it matters most.
No-See-Um Screen (20x20 Mesh)
Best for: Areas with heavy no-see-um or sand gnat problems
Standard screen mesh uses an 18x14 weave, which keeps out mosquitoes and most insects. But if you've spent any time near the coast, you know that no-see-ums (sand gnats) are small enough to pass right through standard screening.
No-see-um screen uses a tighter 20x20 weave that blocks these tiny pests. If your home is near marshes, waterways, or other areas with heavy no-see-um activity, this can make a real difference in your comfort.
Pros: Blocks no-see-ums and sand gnats. Also blocks more pollen and debris.
Cons: Reduced airflow compared to standard mesh. Slightly reduced visibility. Can feel warmer inside the enclosure due to decreased ventilation.
We sometimes recommend a hybrid approach — no-see-um screen on the sides of the enclosure that face marshes or water, and standard mesh on the other panels to maintain airflow.
What We Recommend for Emerald Coast Homes
For most homeowners in Niceville, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and surrounding areas, our go-to recommendation is Phifer Super Screen. It offers the best balance of durability, visibility, and cost for our coastal conditions.
For pool enclosures and high-exposure areas, we lean toward aluminum screen mesh for its superior longevity.
For homes with pets, pet screen on the lower panels combined with Super Screen above is the setup that works best.
The right choice depends on your specific situation — your location, how you use the space, whether you have pets, your budget, and your priorities. Anthony's Screens has been helping Emerald Coast homeowners make these decisions since 2004, and we're always happy to walk you through the options.
Call 850-904-6144 for a free consultation or visit our contact page to get started.