Made-to-measure insect screens: types, mesh, 2026 prices — the complete guide

The insect screen is the simplest component of a window — and the one most often bought wrong. People look only at the price per metre, fit a one-size-fits-all solution, and after three summers end up with a warped frame, a mesh that has come loose, and an opening-and-closing action so awkward it makes them want to take it off altogether.

This guide takes the opposite approach: concrete types, honest pros and cons, indicative prices for the Italian market in 2026, and the criteria for choosing the right solution for each kind of opening.

The main types

Vertical roller insect screen (retractable)

The most common mechanism on standard windows. The mesh is wound onto an upper or side roller with a return spring; it is lowered by hand and held in position by a friction system or edge-retaining magnets.

Pros: compact when open, practical on standard hinged windows, wide range available.

Cons: the spring loses tension over time (3-5 years for budget solutions, 8-12 years for quality frames). The free bottom edge is vulnerable to wind — in windy areas the mesh comes away from its guide and rolls up on its own. Not the right solution for French doors with frequent foot traffic.

Side roller variant: the roller sits vertically on one side and the mesh runs horizontally. Used mainly on French doors where you don’t want to take up space above the window. The mechanism is the same, with the same limitations.

Pleated insect screen

The mesh is accordion-folded and runs on side guides. It can be single-panel or twin-panel (two leaves that open from the centre, typical on French doors with a central pass-through).

Pros: requires no headbox, so it can be fitted to any window, including those with no space above. The twin-panel version is the best solution for French doors with frequent traffic — it opens from the centre, hooks to the side, and leaves the passage clear.

Cons: a pleated screen cannot close as tightly as a taut mesh — the micro-folds in the lower section leave small contact zones at the edge where, in theory, something very small could pass through. Not a serious flaw in practice, but worth bearing in mind. The carriages on the guides wear out sooner than roller mechanisms — on budget pleated screens they start running poorly after 5-7 years. Cleaning is more laborious than with a taut mesh.

Sliding insect screen

Mesh mounted on a rigid frame that slides on upper and lower tracks, like a sliding door. The most robust solution for French doors and large openings — the frame is rigid and unaffected by wind.

Pros: great solidity, suited to wide French doors (up to 3 m width), integrates well with sliding and lift-and-slide windows. Easily paired with motorisation.

Cons: requires two tracks (upper and lower) and side space to park the leaf when open. Not suited to standard hinged windows. Higher cost than roller solutions.

Hinged insect screen

A rigid frame with taut mesh, hinged like a door or window. The most robust variant of all.

Pros: no sliding mechanism to jam or wear, mesh always taut, extremely simple to clean, potentially decades of service life. Ideal for fixed openings or for anyone wanting maximum robustness.

Cons: takes up space when opening (it swings outwards or inwards), so it’s not compatible with every context. Cannot be fitted if the balcony is very small or if there is a plant in front of the window.

Fixed insect screen

A rigid panel with no mechanism, screwed or fitted into the window recess. The most economical solution of all.

Pros: zero mechanisms, zero wear, zero maintenance. Decades of service life.

Cons: to open the window the panel has to be removed — impractical on windows opened frequently. Suited only to fixed openings, cellar windows or plant rooms with permanent ventilation.

Magnetic insect screen

A soft panel with perimeter magnets. You walk straight through it (like strip curtains, but as a single panel) and it closes itself behind you. Often sold as a universal DIY solution.

Pros: very easy to fit (attached with velcro or magnets to the frame), no drilling required.

Cons: modest perimeter seal — the magnets hold the edge, but the centre of the panel opens under any pressure. A cat walks straight through it. Not suited to French doors with frequent foot traffic. The outdoor fixing velcro lasts 1-2 seasons. It’s a temporary solution, not a permanent one.

Mesh types: they matter more than you’d think

The frame is the mechanism, but the mesh is what actually does the work. Several variants exist.

Standard fibreglass

The most widespread mesh. Fibreglass filaments woven with a PVC coating. Typical mesh 18×16 per inch (around 1.1 mm wire).

Good resistance to mosquitoes, midges and flies. Excellent light and ventilation transmission. Low cost. Lasts 10-15 years if not mistreated.

Aluminium mesh

Anodised or coated aluminium filaments. Stiffer than fibreglass, doesn’t deform under pressure.

Preferable on hinged insect screens where the mesh is stretched over large dimensions. Slightly higher cost (+10-20%). Long lasting.

PET screen / scratch-resistant mesh for pets

Polyethylene terephthalate, the same material used in plastic bottles. Tear resistance 7 times higher than standard fibreglass.

The right choice if you have dogs or cats that tend to lean on or scratch the mesh. Costs 30-50% more than standard mesh. Not necessary if there are no pets.

Anti-pollen mesh

A much finer weave (72-80 threads per inch versus the standard 18×16). Stops grass, birch and pellitory pollen — the main airborne allergens that enter homes through open windows.

Note: a finer weave reduces airflow by 30-40% compared with a standard mesh. The effect is noticeable. If you live in a flat with poor natural ventilation, it’s a trade-off worth weighing up.

The finest pollens (ragweed, cypress) have grains of 10-20 µm — these meshes stop pollen from 40 µm upwards. Not absolute protection, but for most allergy sufferers it significantly reduces exposure.

Anti-smog / activated carbon mesh

Meshes with an activated carbon treatment that adsorb a portion of fine particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and some gaseous pollutants. The product exists on the market, but efficiency data under real conditions (open window, variable wind, carbon saturation over time) is scarce and inconsistent. Worth considering in urban settings with heavy traffic pollution.

Solar/blackout screen mesh

A very tightly woven mesh in an opaque material. Reduces incoming light and solar heat gain (shading coefficient 0.3-0.5). Works both as an insect screen and as partial solar shading.

Suited to very sunny exposures where you don’t want to fit external shutters or venetian blinds but still want to cut heat gain. Visibility from inside to outside is considerably reduced.

Frames: why powder-coated aluminium is the standard

Almost all quality insect screens use powder-coated extruded aluminium frames. The reason is simple: lightweight, doesn’t deform, doesn’t corrode, and Qualicoat-certified coating holds up for decades outdoors. Available in any RAL colour to match the existing window.

Plastic frames (PVC or polystyrene) are found only on budget or DIY solutions. They deform in summer heat, corner joints fail over time, and the coating degrades faster.

The standard supply colours are white (RAL 9016) and anthracite (RAL 7016). Other RAL colours on request, usually with a 10-15% surcharge and longer production times.

Matching to opening type

Opening type	Recommended solution	Notes
Standard hinged window	Vertical roller or single-panel pleated	Pleated if headbox space is limited
Single-leaf French door	Side roller or single-panel pleated	Side roller if traffic is frequent
Twin-leaf French door	Twin-panel pleated or sliding	Twin-panel pleated is the best solution
Sliding / lift-and-slide	Sliding on tracks	Dedicated frame, coaxial with the door
Fixed opening / roof light	Fixed or roller	Fixed if it’s never opened
Window with tilt-and-turn opening	Side roller or pleated	Assess headbox height

Motorised versions

A motorised insect screen makes sense on very large rollers (French doors ≥ 240 cm in height) or in home-automation contexts where you want to integrate it with shutter management.

The motor is built into the roller headbox. It uses a low-voltage DC motor (12-24V), very quiet, with electromechanical limit switches. Window automation manufacturers such as Somfy (Zancarlo-compatible range) or Nice offer dedicated solutions.

Additional cost over the manual version: €150-300 per insect screen, including motor, power supply and radio control. Rarely worth it on standard insect screens — it makes sense in a context where all shading is already motorised.

Fitting: with or without drilling

With drilling (fixed to the wall or the window frame): the correct method for permanent installations. The insect screen is rigidly attached to the window, doesn’t vibrate, doesn’t shift. Practically all quality insect screen types are fitted this way.

Without drilling (pressure clamps or tension-fit systems): used where drilling is not wanted or not possible (rented property, particular surfaces, recent windows still under warranty). Grip is good on standard frames, less so on very smooth or small frames. Not suited to sliding or hinged insect screens, which require robust guides.

What not to do: using glue or strong double-sided tape as a substitute for mechanical fixing. It works for a few months, then weight and vibration pull the frame loose.

Maintenance

For a quality installation, upkeep is minimal:

• Mesh cleaning: once a year, mesh removed (or in place on fixed insect screens), warm water and neutral soap, dried in the shade. Do not use pressure washers — the pressure damages the weave.
• Pleated guides and carriages: wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust and dried insects. On pleated screens with frequent opening/closing, a light application of silicone spray on the guides every 2-3 years.
• Retractable roller: check that the spring isn’t overtightened (the mesh shouldn’t snap up suddenly — it should retract slowly). Tension is adjustable by opening the headbox and turning the roller by hand.
• Aluminium frame: no maintenance required. Occasional silicone lubrication on hinged fittings every 3-4 years.

Indicative 2026 prices (supply, made-to-measure)

The following prices are for made-to-measure insect screens with a powder-coated aluminium frame and standard fibreglass mesh, on medium-sized openings (100×140 cm window or 90×230 cm French door). Anti-pollen mesh adds around €20-40 per unit. PET screen mesh adds €15-30.

Type	Standard window (€)	French door (€)	Notes
Vertical or side roller	120–200	180–280	Quality depends heavily on the manufacturer
Single-panel pleated	150–240	200–320	Twin-panel door: add €60–100
Sliding on tracks	—	260–420	Only on openings ≥ 80 cm clear width
Hinged	180–300	280–420	More robust, less common
Fixed	70–130	100–180	Only for non-operable openings
Motorised (additional)	+150–200	+200–300	On roller type; only worthwhile in home-automation contexts

VAT-inclusive prices: these are average market figures inclusive of installation carried out by third-party installers, for accessible windows (ground floor / internal staircase). For installations on upper floors requiring scaffolding, the additional cost must be agreed with the chosen installer.

When it’s NOT worth it / when to wait

If you’re about to replace your windows: wait. A made-to-measure insect screen must be ordered against the final frame, not the old one. A screen made to fit the old window will be unusable once it’s replaced.

If you already have external shutters or venetian blinds that you close in summer: the priority is making sure the perimeter seal of the shutters and window is sound. An additional insect screen isn’t necessarily useful if your solar protection is already robust. If you want to go deeper, how to choose the right windows for your case can help you work out the order of priorities.

If the main problem is heat loss, not insects: an insect screen doesn’t improve insulation. See the guide to Uw thermal insulation by climate zone.

If your budget is very tight: a fixed insect screen on non-operable openings is the most economical and long-lasting solution. On high-traffic French doors, bear in mind that a cheap solution is often replaced within 3-4 years — it’s usually better to spend more once.

FAQ

Can made-to-measure insect screens be fitted to existing windows that aren’t from LMT? Yes. Measurements are taken on the existing opening — frame, clear width, headbox space — and the screen is manufactured to size. It doesn’t need to be one of our windows. The only condition is that the existing window is in good condition and the measurements are stable.

What’s the real difference between a budget pleated screen and a quality one? The carriages. A budget pleated screen has plastic carriages that, after 4-6 years, start dragging rather than sliding. A quality one has carriages with reinforced nylon wheels on extruded aluminium guides: it lasts 12-15 years without issue. The mesh is identical — it’s the mechanism that makes the difference.

Does anti-pollen mesh really stop pollen? It stops large-grain pollen (≥ 40 µm): grasses, birch, pellitory. It does not stop fine pollen such as ragweed (10-15 µm) or cypress. For most seasonal allergy sufferers the reduction is significant, but don’t expect zero symptoms.

Can I fit an insect screen to an outward-opening window (tilt-and-turn)? Yes, but the right type must be chosen. A vertical roller requires the window to open inwards. If the window opens outwards (unusual in Italy but possible), you need a fixed or hinged insect screen fitted on the inside. Alternatively, on pure roof-light windows, a side roller works regardless of the opening direction.

How long does a quality roller insect screen last? The mesh: 10-15 years without issue if not mistreated. The spring mechanism: 8-12 years with daily opening and closing. After that, only the spring needs replacing (a 30-40 minute job) without changing the whole frame.

Is the magnetic insect screen sold online for €30-50 worth it? As a temporary solution (rented property, a single season) it’s acceptable. It’s not a permanent solution: the perimeter seal is inadequate on high-traffic French doors, and the outdoor velcro degrades within 1-2 seasons. For a permanent installation, the saving isn’t worth the problems.

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For our made-to-measure insect screens we manufacture exclusively with powder-coated extruded aluminium frames, meshes selected for the specific use, and mechanisms we expect to run 10-15 years without surprises. If you already have a quote in hand or are considering pairing them with new windows, request a quote — I’ll come back with a specific proposal for your openings within 24-48 hours.