Window Mesh FAQ

The mesh on windows is called an insect screen, window screen, or most commonly in Singapore, window mesh or mosquito mesh. It is a fine mesh barrier fitted over your window opening that keeps mosquitoes and insects out while letting fresh air and light through.

The purpose of window mesh is to let you keep your windows open for ventilation without letting mosquitoes, flies, moths, and lizards in. In Singapore it is mainly dengue protection — the NEA reported over 8,000 dengue cases in the first half of 2024 alone — while also catching dust and debris before it enters your home.

The different types of window mesh in Singapore are retractable (roll-up cassette) screens, pleated screens, fixed-frame screens, and stick-on magnetic mesh. DinoMesh specialises in custom-fitted retractable screens because they stay permanently mounted, roll away when not in use, and last far longer than adhesive magnetic mesh, which typically fails within a year or two in our humidity.

A retractable window screen works by storing the mesh inside a slim aluminium cassette mounted on one side of your window. You pull it across the opening, where it clips lightly on the other side, and release it to spring back into the cassette. When not in use the mesh is stored and protected, which keeps it clean and out of your view.

Mosquito nets for HDB flats are very effective when the mesh is custom-cut with no gaps along the edges. A properly fitted screen blocks that opening to mosquitoes entirely — the failure point is always the edges, not the mesh itself, which is why precise measurement matters more than the mesh material.

Insect screens are made of a fine woven mesh — ours is either nano-coated polyester or 304 stainless steel — held in an aluminium alloy frame. The mesh is the barrier that keeps insects out; the frame and cassette keep the mesh taut, sealed at the edges, and retractable when not in use.

No, an insect screen does not block airflow — our nano-coated polyester mesh passes roughly 93% of natural airflow, and stainless steel about 90%. You keep the breeze while mosquitoes, flies, and moths stay outside.

Yes, insect screens actually work — a custom-fitted screen blocks that window opening completely. The mesh itself stops mosquitoes, flies, moths, and most dust; the only way bugs get past a screen is through gaps at the edges, which is why precise measurement and a sealed fit matter more than the mesh material.

The disadvantages of mosquito netting come from the cheaper types: adhesive magnetic netting loses its stick in our humidity and sags within 1–2 years, while self-trimmed DIY netting rarely fits flush, leaving the edge gaps that let mosquitoes in. A retractable custom-fitted screen avoids all of these — it is permanently mounted, sealed at the edges, and rolls away out of sight when not in use.

Yes, fly screens stop spiders — our mesh aperture is around 1 mm, far smaller than any spider you will find in a Singapore home. Spiders, like mosquitoes, enter through unsealed gaps rather than through the mesh itself, so a custom-fitted screen with sealed edges keeps them out too.

Window mesh in Singapore costs depend on window size, mesh type, and quantity. Nano-coated polyester starts from $110 per window and 304 stainless steel from $160 per window. Based on our own installation data, a typical 4-room HDB flat with 8–10 openings costs about $2,800 all-in, including measurement, fabrication, and installation. We confirm exact pricing at the free home visit.

You can buy window mesh with installation in Singapore direct from a specialist installer. DinoMesh measures, fabricates, and installs custom retractable screens islandwide — book a free home visit and we quote on the spot. Off-the-shelf DIY kits from hardware stores or online marketplaces are cheaper upfront but need self-trimming and usually fit poorly, which is exactly where the gaps that let mosquitoes in come from.

Repairing a window screen is cheaper if the frame is in good condition — replacing only the mesh costs far less than a whole new screen. But if you started with a DIY magnetic kit, replacement is usually the better call: about 1 in 5 enquiries we receive comes from a homeowner replacing a cheaper first attempt that failed within a year.

Our payment terms are 50% deposit upon order confirmation, with the remaining 50% due upon completion of installation. We accept PayNow and bank transfer.

Yes, we offer a warranty: every installation comes with a 1-year warranty covering materials and workmanship. If anything goes wrong within the warranty period, we will fix or replace it at no cost.

You can read reviews of insect screen installers in Singapore on each company's Google Business profile — ours is linked from the reviews section on our homepage. When comparing, look for recent reviews that mention fit quality, after-sales service, and whether the screens still seal well after a year, because that is exactly where cheaper systems fail.

The best mesh for windows in Singapore depends on your household. For homes without pets, nano-coated polyester is best — it is nearly invisible, repels dust and water stains, and handles our humidity well. For homes with cats or dogs, 304 stainless steel is the only mesh we recommend, because it cannot be torn or punctured by claws. Both are rust-resistant and custom-fitted to your exact window size.

The difference between polyester and stainless steel mesh is strength and visibility. Our nano-coated polyester mesh is lightweight, nearly invisible, and ideal for most homes without pets. Our 304 stainless steel mesh is heavier-duty, pet-proof, and rust-resistant — best for households with cats or dogs. Both are custom-measured and retractable.

The best mesh size for a window screen is a fine weave with an aperture of roughly 1 mm or smaller. That is small enough to block Aedes mosquitoes — the species that spreads dengue — while still allowing healthy airflow. All DinoMesh mesh uses this fine weave as standard.

The best colour for window mesh is charcoal or dark grey, because it visually disappears from a few metres away and cuts glare, whereas light grey or silver mesh looks more visible and reflective. Our frames come in 9 colours so you can match your existing window frames.

Mesh screens last 5–10 years when they are a quality retractable system in Singapore conditions. The mesh is protected inside its cassette when retracted, and the powder-coated aluminium frames do not rust. Cheap magnetic mesh is the outlier — its adhesive and magnets typically degrade within 1–2 years of our heat and humidity.

We offer 9 frame colours: Galaxy Black, Matte Black, Dark Gray, Light Silver, Turquoise, Coffee / Brown, Champagne, Metallic Gray, and White. You can mix colours if different rooms need different finishes.

No, you do not need to measure your windows yourself. Precise measurement is the most important part of a gap-free fit, so we take all measurements ourselves during the free home visit — down to the millimetre.

No, bugs cannot eat through our window mesh. The nano-coated polyester surface is scratch- and abrasion-resistant, and 304 stainless steel cannot be chewed through at all. Screens you may have seen with holes are usually thin fibreglass DIY netting — a different, much weaker material.

Yes, insect mesh installation is HDB-approved. Because we use tape and silicone adhesive only — no drilling, no screws, no structural modification — no HDB renovation permit is required. Our installation method is fully compliant with HDB guidelines.

No, window screens are not required by law in Singapore — no legislation mandates them, and insect mesh is not part of HDB window rules. They are purely a health and comfort upgrade, especially during dengue season. And because our screens mount on the inside with tape and silicone, no renovation permit is needed and the external façade is untouched.

Window mesh should be installed inside the window, almost always. Interior mounting protects the mesh and frame from sun and rain, keeps the external façade unchanged — which matters for HDB and condo rules — and means the whole job is done from inside your flat. No scaffolding, no leaning out of windows.

No, the installation will not damage your walls or window frames. We use industrial-grade adhesive tape and silicone to secure the mesh frame. There are no holes drilled, no marks left, and the mesh removes cleanly if you ever move out.

Installation typically takes 1–2 hours per room, depending on the number and size of windows. Most whole-home installations are completed within a single day.

Our lead time is typically 3–5 working days from measurement to installation. We will confirm the exact timeline after your free home visit.

Yes, we can fit non-standard or odd-shaped windows — every screen is custom-cut to your exact window dimensions. We handle casement, sliding, top-hung, louvre, bay windows, and balcony sliding doors.

Yes, we install retractable mesh screens on balcony sliding doors. The screen sits in a track and slides open when you want full access to your balcony.

Yes, the mesh can be installed in bathrooms and wet areas. The stainless steel option is especially well-suited because of its rust resistance.

Yes, the mesh can be removed when you move out. Because we use adhesive tape and silicone (no drilling), it removes cleanly without leaving marks or damage — completely renter-friendly.

You can make or install your own DIY insect screen — off-the-shelf magnetic kits are widely available — but a large share of our enquiries come from homeowners replacing them. Self-trimmed kits rarely fit flush, so mosquitoes enter through the edge gaps, and the adhesive typically fails within 1–2 years of Singapore humidity. Since measurement and no-drill installation are included free with DinoMesh, there is little to gain from doing it yourself.

Standard window screens are not cat-proof — a cat's claws or body weight can tear or pop out polyester or fibreglass mesh. 304 stainless steel mesh is cat-proof: it cannot be torn, punctured, or deformed by a cat, and cats can lean safely against it. Roughly 1 in 3 jobs we do are cat-proofing installations.

You cat-proof your windows in a flat with two layers: a claw-proof physical barrier — 304 stainless steel retractable mesh, custom-fitted with no gaps — plus keeping windows closed or locked while your cat is unsupervised. In our own installation data, we have never seen a mesh fail because of a cat.

No, your cat cannot scratch through our 304 stainless steel mesh. It's specifically designed for households with cats and dogs — the metal mesh cannot be torn, deformed, or punctured by pet claws, and cats can lean safely against it.

No, mosquitoes cannot get through properly fitted window mesh — a fine weave with an aperture under about 1 mm is smaller than an Aedes mosquito. Mosquitoes get in through gaps, not the mesh: loose edges, ill-fitting DIY kits, or magnetic screens whose strips have warped over time. That is why custom measurement and sealed edges matter.

The smells bugs and mosquitoes hate include citronella, lemongrass, and eucalyptus — but scent only masks you while it is active; it never stops a mosquito entering your home. A fitted window screen does: it physically blocks the opening around the clock, with nothing to reapply. If you use repellents, treat them as a supplement to screens, not a replacement.

You clean window mesh at home by simply wiping it with a damp cloth or sponge. The nano-coated polyester repels most dust and water stains, and stainless steel can be wiped with a cloth or rinsed with water. No special cleaning products needed.

Yes, window screens can usually be repaired — the mesh can be replaced on its own while the cassette and tracks stay in place, which is far cheaper than a full replacement. Frame hardware rarely fails, and within the 1-year warranty any mesh or workmanship issue is fixed or replaced free of charge.

You remove an insect screen from your window by unclipping the mesh and letting it retract back into its cassette. If you want to take the whole unit down — for example when moving out of a rental — the adhesive-mounted frame peels off cleanly without tools, leaving no holes or marks on the window frame.