• Screened porches allow you to enjoy the open air without the hassle of insects.view from the porch image by alice rawson from Fotolia.com
  
  Screened porches conjure up images of lazy evenings on a porch swing, sipping iced-tea or lemonade and talking with friends and family. When building or remodeling a screened porch, the kind of screening you use is an important decision. Screens come in a variety of materials and colors, with some screening materials more suited to certain climates and uses.
  
  

Aluminum

• Lightweight and cheap to produce. aluminum screening is common. These screens typically come in one of three colors: charcoal, silver or black. Aluminum screens are strong and can take years of exposure to the elements.
  
  

Fiberglass

• Woven from fiberglass and covered by a vinyl protectant, fiberglass screening is durable and cost-effective. It can also come in a wide variety of weave densities, from 18-by-14 threads per square inch to 20-by-20 threads per square inch (20-by-20 is especially effective in areas where small insects are present). Fiberglass screening comes in a range of colors and is resistant to the elements. Fiberglass is not subject to shrinking or staining and resists corrosion well.
  
  

Bronze and Copper Screening

• Like aluminum screens, bronze and copper screens are made of either pure metal or metal alloys. These screens are commonly found in seaside areas or those areas that are exposed to salt air. Bronze screens weather and acquire dark bronze patina, while pure copper screens can acquire a green, aged-copper patina.
  
  

Other Materials

• Screens can also be made of epoxy-coated steel or stainless steel, both of which are effective in marine or salt-air environments. There are also pet-resistant screens made of vinyl-coated polyester. These are commonly used in low-screening panels where pets or other small animals might come into contact with it.