Fly Screens
Fresh air in.
Insects and
pollen out.
Made-to-measure fly screens for every opening in your home or business, windows, doors, bi-folds, French doors, and roof windows. Measured and fitted by our own team across the North East and North West.
- Retractable Window ScreensRoll into a slim cassette when not in use, invisible when open, fully screened when you need it.
- Pleated Door ScreensConcertina folds for wide door openings.View →
- Magnetic Door ScreensSelf-closing, hands-free access.View →
- Roof Window ScreensCustom-fit for Velux and skylights.View →
- Fixed Frame ScreensCustom-fit for Velux and skylights.View →
- Pet ScreensSignificantly harder for cats and dogs to scratch through or push out than standard screens.View →
Screen types
Find the right screen for your opening
Every opening is different. The type of fly screen that works for a casement window is not the same as what works for a bi-fold door or a roof window. Choose your opening type below to explore the right solution.
- Window
Retractable Window Screens
Rolls into a slim cassette at the top of the frame when not in use. You see nothing when the window is open fully; deploy it in seconds when you need insect protection. Suits casement and tilt-and-turn windows.
Explore retractable screens → - Window
Fixed Frame Window Screens
A permanent aluminium frame with mesh, fitted into the window reveal. The most cost-effective option where you want year-round insect protection and don't need to remove the screen regularly. Easy to clean in situ.
Explore fixed frame screens → - Door
Pleated Door Screens
Concertina folds that stack neatly to one or both sides when open. Works well on wider door openings including single and double doors, and spans where a cassette retractable screen would struggle. Smooth, low-friction operation.
Explore pleated screens → - Door
Magnetic Door Screens
Two mesh panels that close automatically via embedded magnets down the centre. Walk through hands-free and the screen closes behind you — practical for busy back doors and anywhere you're moving between the garden and kitchen frequently.
Explore magnetic screens → - Pet-friendly
Pet-Resistant Screens
A heavier-gauge mesh in a reinforced aluminium frame. Significantly harder for cats and dogs to scratch through or push out than standard screens. Available as fixed frame, retractable, or pleated depending on your opening type and pet size.
Explore pet-resistant screens → - Roof window
Roof Window & Skylight Screens
Custom-made to fit Velux, Fakro, and other branded roof windows, as well as bespoke skylights. Fitted to the inside of the frame so the window can still be opened and operated normally. Keeps midges out in summer without blocking airflow.
Explore roof window screens →
Why they're worth it
What a good fly screen actually does
A well-fitted, made-to-measure screen does more than keep midges out. Here's what to look for and what the difference is between a properly fitted screen and a one-size kit from a hardware shop.
No gaps at the edges
A made-to-measure screen fits your exact reveal width and height, so there are no gaps at the sides where insects could enter. Off-the-shelf screens are rarely the right size and rely on clips or foam seals that compress over time.
Works with how you use the window
The right screen type matches your opening mechanism. A retractable screen suits a casement window you open fully; a pleated screen suits a door you walk through regularly. Choosing the wrong type leads to screens that are awkward or get left unused.
Lets air through, not just insects
Quality fibreglass mesh allows good airflow while keeping insects out. Cheaper mesh is often tighter-woven to look more impressive but actually restricts ventilation, the main reason you're opening the window in the first place.
Pollen filtering as well as insects
Standard fibreglass mesh blocks most insects but allows pollen through. If hay fever is a concern, solar or fine-weave mesh options filter significantly more airborne particles while still providing reasonable ventilation, worth asking about at your survey.
Low maintenance aluminium frames
Powder-coated aluminium frames don't rust, warp, or swell. They can be wiped down with a damp cloth. Mesh can be vacuumed gently with a soft brush attachment. A properly fitted screen should need nothing beyond occasional cleaning.
Fitted once, stays put
Our screens are fixed into your frame properly, not held in with tension clips that slip or spring out when you open the window. A professionally fitted screen stays in place and doesn't rattle or bow in wind.
Mesh options
Three mesh types, one recommendation
Most homes are well served by standard fibreglass mesh. There are two good reasons to upgrade – pets, or a significant pollen problem. Your surveyor will recommend the right mesh at your visit, but here's what the options are.
- Standard
Standard Fibreglass Mesh
The right choice for the vast majority of installations. Good airflow, effective insect barrier against flies, mosquitoes, moths, and midges. Lightweight, easy to clean, and durable under normal use. Available in charcoal and grey.
Blocks insects including midges and mosquitoesExcellent airflow, minimal ventilation lossSuitable for windows and most door types - Solar / Pollen
Solar & Pollen-Filter Mesh
A tighter weave that reduces glare and heat from direct sun as well as blocking insects. Also filters a proportion of airborne pollen, useful for hay fever sufferers who want ventilation without open windows during high-pollen periods. Slightly reduces airflow compared to standard mesh.
Reduces solar heat gain on south-facing windowsFilters significant proportion of airborne pollenMarginally reduced airflow vs standard mesh - Pet-resistant
Pet-Resistant Mesh
A heavier-gauge fibreglass or PVC-coated polyester mesh that resists clawing, pushing, and chewing far better than standard material. Not indestructible, a determined large dog can still cause damage, but significantly more durable for households with cats or small-to-medium dogs.
Heavier gauge, resists clawing and pushingAvailable in fixed frame, retractable, and pleatedSlight weight increase, fits same frame profiles
Which type is right for you?
A quick guide to choosing
| Opening type | Best screen | Key reason |
|---|---|---|
| Casement window | Retractable | Disappears when not needed |
| Sash window | Fixed frame | Fits inside the sash box |
| Single door | Pleated or magnetic | Folds or closes behind you |
| French doors | Pleated | Stacks to each side neatly |
| Bi-fold doors | Pleated | Works across wide spans |
| Busy back door | Magnetic | Hands-free, self-closing |
| Velux / skylight | Roof window screen | Custom-fit to frame size |
| Home with cats or dogs | Pet-resistant mesh | Heavy-gauge, harder to claw |
Not sure? We'll recommend the right type at your free home survey — no commitment required.
Do I need planning permission for fly screens?
Generally no, fly screens are classed as removable fittings and do not require planning permission for most residential properties. The exception is listed buildings, where any fixed element requires consent. We flag this at survey if it applies.
Can screens be fitted to uPVC, timber, and aluminium frames?
Yes. Our frames are designed to work with all standard window and door frame materials. The fixing method varies, we assess the frame type at survey and specify the appropriate method for a clean, secure fit without drilling through the main frame profile.
Will a fly screen affect how much light comes in?
Standard fibreglass mesh reduces visible light by a small amount, typically around 10–15%. You will notice it in direct comparison but in normal use it's not significant. Solar mesh reduces light by more (30–40%) as part of how it controls heat and glare.
Can screens be removed for winter?
Fixed frame screens are designed as permanent fittings, though they can be removed for access if needed. Retractable and pleated screens retract or stack out of the way and don't need to be taken down seasonally, leaving them in place is fine and means they're ready to use immediately.
Frame finish
Powder-coated aluminium frames
All frame profiles are powder-coated aluminium, six standard colours available. We match to your window and door frames wherever possible. RAL colours available to order.
- White
- Cream
- Brown
- Grey
- Anthracite
- Black
Applications
Every opening, covered
Fly screens aren't limited to bedroom windows. Here are the six most common applications we cover, and why each benefits from a properly fitted screen rather than a standard window treatment alone.
Bedroom windows
The window you most want open overnight. A well-fitted retractable or fixed screen lets you sleep with the window open in summer without waking up to mosquitoes or midges. The single most common reason our customers book a survey.
Kitchen back doors
A door that's in constant use during summer, carrying food out, coming in with muddy hands, letting the dog through. Magnetic screens suit this perfectly: walk through, they close behind you. No latches, no propping.
Bi-fold and French doors
Large glazed openings are great for connecting indoors to outdoors but invite every flying insect in with them. A pleated screen spans the full width, stacks neatly to the sides when not needed, and protects the opening without blocking light or airflow.
Home offices and studies
A room where you need a window open for air but can't have insects landing on screens or buzzing around while you're working. A fixed or retractable screen on the main window sorts this without any disruption to how you use the space.
Roof windows and loft conversions
Velux and other roof windows sit directly under the roofline where heat builds up, ventilation matters most precisely where insects are most active in warm weather. A custom-fit roof window screen lets you leave the window tilted open safely.
Commercial kitchens and hospitality
Food businesses often have a legal obligation to prevent pest entry through openings. Fixed frame screens on kitchen windows and doors are the most practical way to meet this without restricting ventilation during service. We supply and fit for commercial premises across the region.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
"We had retractable screens fitted to four bedroom windows. The first summer with them was a revelation, windows open all night, no mosquitoes, no disturbed sleep. The screens disappear completely when the windows are open fully. Really well made, fitted cleanly with no mess."
"I've got two cats who are obsessed with the kitchen door. The pet-resistant mesh on the pleated screen has held up to eight months of being pushed, pawed, and climbed on. Standard mesh wouldn't have lasted two weeks with them. Homefair recommended it before I even mentioned the cats, clearly experienced."
"We run a small café and needed screens on the kitchen service window. Environmental health were happy with them on their next visit. The fixed frames match our window colour exactly and are easy to clean. Fitted in one morning, priced fairly, no issues since."
FAQ
Common questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often before and after surveys. If yours isn't here, just ask when we visit.
How do made-to-measure screens differ from ready-made ones?
A made-to-measure screen is built to your exact opening dimensions, so it fits flush with no gaps at the edges or corners. Ready-made screens come in fixed sizes and rely on clips or foam seals to bridge the difference, these gaps are where insects get through, which defeats the purpose. Made-to-measure also means the frame colour and mesh type are chosen for your specific situation rather than being a compromise.
How are fly screens fixed — will they damage my frames?
The fixing method depends on your frame type. Many screens use a channel or clip system that grips the existing window frame profile without drilling. Where fixings are needed, they go into the window reveal rather than the main frame wherever possible. Our surveyor assesses this at your home visit and explains the fixing method before any work starts.
Can fly screens be fitted to uPVC, timber, steel, and aluminium windows?
Yes to all four. The frame profile and fixing system vary by window material, which is one reason a home survey matters — what works cleanly on a uPVC casement is different from what works on a timber sash or a steel Crittall frame. We've fitted screens to all of these across the North East and North West.
Do fly screens stop midges specifically?
Standard fibreglass mesh stops midges effectively, the mesh aperture is small enough to block them. This is a common concern in the North East where midges can be a significant problem in summer evenings, particularly near water or in rural and semi-rural areas. If you're in a high-midge location, we can advise on the tightest mesh option that still provides reasonable airflow.
What's the difference between pleated and magnetic door screens?
A pleated screen folds concertina-style to one or both sides of the door opening — you pull it across manually and it latches or rests against the opposite side. A magnetic screen hangs from a top track and closes automatically via magnets down the centre when you walk through. Pleated is tidier and more robust for wider openings; magnetic is more convenient for frequent, hands-free use on single standard doors.
How do I clean a fly screen?
For regular maintenance, a soft brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner is the easiest approach, run it gently over both sides of the mesh. For a deeper clean, a damp cloth with mild soapy water works well. Avoid pressure washing or harsh chemicals. Retractable screens can be cleaned while extended; fixed frames can usually be removed from their channels for easier access.
Do you install fly screens across the whole North East and North West?
Yes — our own fitting team covers the North East and North West of England, including Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Darlington, Manchester, Salford, Liverpool, Bolton, Chester, and surrounding areas. We don't use subcontractors, so the team that surveys your home is the same team that installs.
What does the free home survey involve and how long does it take?
One of our team visits, measures every opening you want screened, checks the frame types and fixing options, and discusses mesh and colour choices with you. You get a fixed written quote on the day, no call back required, no price changes on installation day. The survey is free, there's no obligation, and it usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how many openings you have.
Book your free survey today
We'll visit, measure every opening, recommend the right screen type and mesh, and give you a fixed written quote on the day. No obligation, no call centres, just our team and an honest price.
Free survey · Fixed price · No obligation · North East & North West England