- Home
- Flyscreen Buying Guide
Flyscreen Buying Guide
Trade Warehouse Fly Screen Buying Guide
Beautiful Australia, home for us and a host of unusual wild-life. We are lucky enough to experience some of the best weather, pretty much all year round, but on those hot summer days when you want to just throw open your windows or doors for a welcome breeze, you may also be inviting in the slightly less endearing pests resident in Australia, that have potential to cause harm.
Putting up new flyscreen can protect your home from these unwanted intruders and maintaining them on a yearly basis will keep your home safe for you & your family.
Trade Warehouse offer a full range of fly screen, spline and installation tools, to protect your home in all environments, ensuring you get the best fit for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What material should I use when replacing my flyscreens?
Trade Warehouse offers a wide range of materials to install in all types of homes. Most houses will only require standard fibreglass, but if you are in a bush-fire area, you may need to comply with a BAL Rating, which means a tougher more resistant product is required for your situation.
Fibreglass
Suitable for most standard installations, including windows, doors, porches, gazebos and screen rooms, standard fibreglass flyscreen is suitable for most city and suburban houses. Fibreglass doesn't corrode, rust or stain and is UV protected so it will last in the hard Australian sun.
Aluminium
A durable option which resists rust and the protective finish prevents tarnishing and corrosion. Reduces glare and will not sag. Ideal screening solutionfor frequent use applications including windows, doors, porches gazebos and screen rooms. The specification of this product meets the requirement for BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) 29.
Micromesh
Designed with a finer weave to keep our very small insects like sand-fly and midges, this fibreglass mesh is especially suited to low marshy and coastal areas. It also helps to filter sunlight with more strands per inch and a thicker strand diameter. Fibreglass doesn't corrode, rust or stain and is UV protected so it will last in the hard Australian sun.
Pet Mesh
This mesh has strands which are made from a PVC coated woven polyester which is 7 times stronger than standard flyscreen mesh and is designed to resist tears and damage from your household pets and children, while still offering protections from flys and insects. Usually only used on doors this mesh delivers the strongest protection against pet-caused damage. An aluminium Pet Mesh is also available called panther tough which is for use in BAL 29 areas.
Stainless Steel
This is a tough, robust mesh made from 316 grade stainless steel which is marine grade stainless steel. With its higher melting point, this is one of two options you have if your property is in a bushfire risk area with a BAL FZ requirement.
Bronze
A premier screening option offerring superior strength and durability in a bright gold finish which will oxidize to a green patina. This is the other option you have if you live in a bushfire risk area with a BAL FZ requirement.
Extra Wide
A fibreglass product which is made from thicker strands and a finer weaver in order to provide the additional strength required for spans over larger areas such as pool enclosures, enclosed patios, garages and verandahs. Doesn't inhibit natural air-flow or visibility.
What is a BAL rating?
BAL rating stands for Bushfire Attack Level. You will probably know already if you live in an "at risk" area for Bush-fires, however you can always double check with your local council. If you are in a BAL area, your council will issue you with a BAL rating to comply with.
| BAL Rating | Risk | Requirement |
| BAL Low | Very Low Risk | Has no special requirements for screening windows. In this area any product can be used. Fibreglass would be the most commonly used product. |
| BAL 12.5 | Low Risk | Has an option for screening windows and doors (other than sliding) using steel, bronze or aluminium mesh with an aperture maximum of 2mm and fitting gaps no greater than 3mm in diameter. Sliding doors are not required to be screened but if they are they should comply the same as other screens in the house. Aluminium mesh being the most common used product. |
| BAL 19 | Moderate Risk | Has an option for screening windows and doors using steel, bronze or aluminium mesh with an aperture maximum of 2mm and fitting gaps not greater than 3mm in diameter. Aluminium mesh being the most common used product. |
| BAL 29 | High Risk | Has an option for screening windows and doors using steel, bronze or aluminium mesh with an aperture maximum of 2mm and fitting gaps not greater than 3mm in diameter. Aluminium mesh being the most common used product. |
| BAL 40 | Very High Risk | Has an option for screening windows and doors using steel or bronze mesh with an aperture maximum of 2mm and fitting gaps of no greater than 3mm in diameter. |
| BAL FZ | Extreme Risk | Has an option for screening windows and doors using steel or bronze mesh with an aperture maximum of 2mm and fitting gaps of no greater than 3mm in diameter. |
Can I get a certificate to confirm compliance to the BAL rating for the flyscreen I am purchasing?
Unfortunately not. The BAL Rating system specifies compliance to the material required to be installed, as well as compliance to specific installation conditions. Installation is out of our and the manufacturers control. However, the full product specification is available on the Trade Warehouse website and you can be assured each material meets its rating.
What is Pet Mesh?
Our beloved pets have a habit of scratching at the back-door when they want to come in or go out. This may cause standard flyscreen mesh to look an unsightly mesh with claw marks and rips or tears ruining the surface and pretty much rendering it useless to do its job.
Made from vinyl coated woven polyester, pet-mesh is 7 times stronger than standard fibreglass just designed to resist tears and damage from your fury friends or children, but still offers protection from pests. Because you may only be installing in a single door or window we offer pet-mesh by the metre.
Made from vinyl coated woven polyester, pet-mesh is 7 times stronger than standard fibreglass just designed to resist tears and damage from your fury friends or children, but still offers protection from pests. Because you may only be installing in a single door or window we offer pet-mesh by the metre.
Pet-mesh is also available in Aluminium Panther Tuff, compliant with the BAL 29 rating, so you can be safe in the knowledge you comply with council bush-fire regulations. Made from powder coated aluminium with a satin black finish.
How do I measure my windows, so I buy enough flyscreen?
First measure your widest window. Windows in Australian houses, come in a range of widths, flyscreen is manufactured in widths to suit, plus a little bit extra so edges fold into the frame:
610mm, 760mm, 810mm, 910mm, 1070mm, 1220mm, 1520mm & 1830mm.
Add together the height of every window in your household to determine how many metres you require. The most cost effective way to purchase your flyscreen, is to buy a roll suitable for the widest window. That way it will fit all your smaller windows when cut to size.
910mm & 1220mm are the most common sizes. Trade Warehouse sell fibreglass in a 50m roll, which should be sufficient to install in all windows in a standard house. Other materials may come in different length rolls. PVC Pet-mesh is available by the metre.
Do you sell the frames?
Unfortunately not. Frames generally don’t need replacing too often and can be re-painted if required. As they need to be cut to size, its best to use an installation service.
Do you offer installation?
Unfortunately not. Trade Warehouse is an on-line business, but we do offer delivery Australia-wide and FREE for orders over $150.
How do I install flyscreen?
The following process can be used to install flycreen mesh into a flyscreen rebated frame. You will need the following tools; spline roller, scissors, sharp stanley knife or craft knife and a flat head screwdriver.
- Using scissors, cut the flyscreen mesh a minimum of 50mm larger than the frame. If you have more spare width then allowing more to work with will make it easier to tension correctly.
- Starting in one corner, position the flyscreen over the frame ensuring that it sits square to the frame. Using a spline roller and the correct size of spline, push the screen and the spline into the rebated channel of the frame.
- Once you have finished one side, continue working around the screen. As you work around the screen, ensure that the mesh is taught. You do not want it loose so it flaps, but also not so tight that it distorts the frame.
- Use a screwdriver to help push the spline into the corners of the frame.
- Keep working around the frame until you return to your starting point. Cut off the spline so it meets your starting point and trim off the excess spline.
- Using a sharp stanley knife trim off any excess flyscreen which is sticking out beyond the spline. Be careful not to scratch your frame as you do this.
Should I use DAPA foam or PVC spline?
Spline is used to hold mesh of varying materials into window or door screens. One size of DAPA foam will work for several different spline grooves. Flexibility and durability allows DAPA to be easily inserted into the spline groove and allows easy cornering. DAPA is UV resistant for superior durability, will not absorb water and is unaffected by weather conditions.
Both PVC and DAPA foam spline are durable, DAPA being slightly easier to work with. PVC spline is often best if you are unsure what spline you need as you can purchase a slightly thicker size. As PVC is hollow it is possible to stretch it out a bit so it becomes thinner. It is easier to do this if you put it some hot water first as it becomes more pliable. Ultimately your choice will depend on personal preference.
Can I get coloured flyscreen mesh?
Traditionally most flyscreen mesh is a charcoal / black colour as this works for the vast majority of houses. The darker the screen, the easier it is to see through it. Here at Trade Warehouse we only sell charcoal / black flyscreen, however there is a light grey flyscreen option available from other suppliers.
What is the weave / TPI of flyscreen?
The weave / TPI of s flyscreen refers to how many threads per square inch there are. The tighter the weave the less likelihood that small insects can get in. Our micromesh has the smallest threads per inch. The strand diameter also affects the size of the spaces between the threads. We specify all of these details in the More Information section on all of our flyscreen products. When looking to comply with BAL ratings, you are always required to have gaps less than 2mm. All of our flyscreens comply with this.
Is it worth the investment?
Considering how unforgiving the Australian climate can be, mosquito repellent or bug spray might not be enough to survive our long hot summer months. What you ultimately decide to install, will come down to your personal situation, with factors such as location, climate and what insects you’re dealing with all likely to impact your decision.
Trade Warehouse are here to assist you with those choices and rest assured that we offer the best products in the market at the best value prices. Australia-wide shipping to your door. With correct maintenance your purchase should last you years in the future.
Next Steps...
Thank you for taking the time to read this buying guide and we hope that it has helped you and answered all of your questions. If not please feel free to contact us and our of our knowledgable staff can help you further.
To get started:
- Measure your windows (see above) and calculate what size width roll you need and how many rolls you need
- Order from our website and use the code GUIDE at the checkout to get a discount.
- Wait for your delivery to arrive at your door.
Links
