Choosing Pool Screen: 18/14, No-See-Um, Super Screen & More

By the Coral Springs Pool Screen Repair team · Published October 25, 2026

When you rescreen a pool cage or replace panels, the installer will ask what screen you want. Most homeowners have never thought about it. The choice affects how long the screen lasts, how well it keeps out bugs, how much breeze and view you get, and how it holds up to pets and storms. Here's a plain-English rundown of the options you'll hear about in Coral Springs.

What "18/14" and "20/20" mean

Screen is described by its weave: the number of strands per inch in each direction. Standard pool and patio screen is 18/14, meaning 18 strands per inch one way and 14 the other. No-see-um screen is commonly 20/20, a tighter weave. More strands per inch means smaller openings, which stops smaller insects, but also slightly less airflow and a little less see-through clarity.

The other big variable is the material. Most pool screen is vinyl-coated fiberglass. Premium screens are often vinyl-coated polyester, which is a stronger fiber. Brand names matter less than the weave, the material and the warranty, so ask for all three in writing.

The main screen types

Standard 18/14 fiberglass

This is the default for most pool enclosures. Phifer, one of the major U.S. screen makers, describes its 18x14 Pool & Patio screen as the traditional choice for pool and patio enclosures, made for applications where extra strength is desired compared with window screen. It balances airflow, visibility and price well. Its weakness is age: fiberglass screen gradually gets brittle under constant sun, which is why roof panels in South Florida tend to fail first.

No-see-um (20/20)

No-see-ums are the tiny biting midges that make evenings by the pool miserable in parts of Florida. Phifer's product card describes its 20x20 No-See-Um screen as a tightly woven mesh that stops most small insects while still allowing good ventilation and visibility, and notes it adds some daytime privacy. The trade-off is a bit less breeze and a slightly darker view. Many owners use it on the walls around the seating area rather than the whole cage.

Super Screen and other polyester screens

Super Screen is a brand of heavier, polyester-based pool screen, sold in 17/14 (standard style) and 17/20 (no-see-um style) weaves. On its product page, the manufacturer publishes a comparison claiming much higher tensile, tear and ball-burst strength than conventional fiberglass screen, and offers a 10-year limited warranty. Those are the maker's own lab numbers, so treat them as a guide, but the general point is widely accepted: polyester screens are tougher and tend to hold up longer under sun and impact. They cost more than standard fiberglass, so they're a common choice for roofs, high-traffic sides, or owners who want to rescreen less often.

Pet screen

Pet-resistant screen is a much heavier mesh designed to stand up to claws and paws. It's thicker and less see-through, so it's typically used on the bottom row of panels, on screen doors and in lanais, not on the whole cage. Phifer, for example, positions its PetScreen product mainly for patio, door and window use.

Privacy, solar and vinyl-laminated screen

Privacy and solar screens use a denser weave to cut glare, heat and the view in from neighbors. Phifer's Glas-Shield, a vinyl-laminated 18x14 screen, is described as suitable for lower panels to keep dirt and debris out, or as a privacy screen on walls, but specifically not for roofs or other horizontal use. That's a good rule of thumb for dense screens generally: ask whether the product is rated for the spot you have in mind.

Quick comparison

Descriptions summarize manufacturer information from Phifer and Super Screen. Availability and exact specs vary by product; ask your installer for the product name and spec sheet.

Mixing screens on one cage

You don't have to use one screen everywhere. A common setup is:

• Roof: standard 18/14 or a longer-life polyester screen.
• Walls by the seating area: no-see-um.
• Bottom row: pet screen, a vinyl-laminated screen, or a solid aluminum kickplate where pets, kids and lawn equipment do the most damage.
• Sun-facing or neighbor-facing wall: a privacy or solar screen if your HOA allows it.

If you're only replacing a few panels, matching the existing screen usually looks best. If you're doing a full rescreen, it's the ideal moment to upgrade any section that keeps failing. Our repair vs. rescreen guide helps you decide which job you need.

Color, HOAs and wind

Color. Charcoal is by far the most common because the dark color is easiest to see through. Silver-gray is also available in many products, but tends to show more glare.

HOAs. Many associations in Coral Springs, Parkland and Coconut Creek specify screen color, and some restrict privacy screen. Check your rules before you order, especially if you're changing anything from what's there now.

Wind. Denser screen catches more wind. A Florida engineering firm notes that mesh tighter than 18/14 adds more stress to the frame in a wind event, though enclosures designed for it may have larger members. If you're thinking about switching a large area to no-see-um, privacy or solar screen, ask your contractor whether your enclosure was designed for that load. Our hurricane prep guide covers storm questions in more detail.

Know what you want, or want a recommendation? Send the form below and mention the screen you're interested in.

Sources

• Phifer: Pool and patio screening
• Phifer: Pool & patio insect screen product card (PDF)
• Super Screen: 17/14 pool and patio mesh
• Florida Engineering LLC: screens and wind loads