Fly Screens for Doors & Windows
Aluminium-framed fly screens custom measured and installed across the Garden Route. Fixed, retractable, and sliding systems for windows, doors, and large stacker openings. Fresh air without the insects.
What fly screen options are available for Garden Route homes and which type suits each opening?
- Fly screens are aluminium-framed mesh panels fitted to windows, doors, and sliding openings that block insects while keeping airflow and views fully open. Available as fixed, hinged, sliding, and retractable systems.
- Fixed screens mount permanently for year-round insect protection on windows and standard doors. Retractable screens pull across when needed and roll into a slim cassette housing when not, ideal for large sliding and stacking doors where you want the opening completely clear.
- Mesh grades range from standard fibreglass to stainless steel micro-mesh. Coastal homes need powder-coated aluminium frames and UV-stabilised mesh rated for salt air. Standard frames corrode within 18 months at the coast.
- Custom Blinds installs fly screens across the Garden Route from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay. Every screen is custom measured and fitted to the exact opening. For installations outside the Garden Route, Corner Star supplies nationally via their own network.
Garden Route installations: WhatsApp Duncan or call 079 523 5407.
Duncan KaneFounder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings"On the Garden Route you live with your doors and windows open. That is the whole point of being here. Fly screens let you keep it that way without the mosquitoes, flies, and midges that come in the moment the sun goes down. The right screen fits so neatly you stop noticing it is there."
What fly screen types are available for Garden Route homes?
Four system types cover the range of openings found in coastal Garden Route homes. Fixed screens mount permanently in the window or door frame for year-round protection with no daily operation required. Hinged screens open like a standard door leaf with a simple latch, suited to single-door openings and kitchens where one-hand access matters. Sliding screens run on a parallel track alongside your existing door, the standard choice for patio sliders and stacking configurations up to 6 metres wide. Retractable screens roll into a cassette housing when not needed, preferred where you want the opening completely clear during the day and full protection after dark. All systems are supplied by Corner Star, whose patented corner system keeps frames precisely square and mesh permanently taut — eliminating the rattling, sagging, and corner stress that affects cheaper alternatives.
Which mesh and frame materials suit coastal conditions?
The Garden Route's combination of salt air, UV intensity, and humidity degrades inferior materials quickly. Standard aluminium frames without powder coating corrode within 18 months in coastal environments. Fibreglass mesh lasts 5 to 8 years with the right frame. For the highest corrosion resistance and longest service life, 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh in powder-coated aluminium frames is the correct coastal specification.
For the fine midge activity common around lagoon and estuary locations: Knysna, Swartvlei, Keurbooms. Standard mesh openings of 1.2 to 1.6mm let midges through. Fine mesh at 0.4 to 0.6mm blocks midges while maintaining adequate airflow. Duncan recommends the appropriate mesh gauge based on the specific insect pressure at each property.
When should you choose security screens instead of fly screens?
Standard fly screens provide insect protection only. They will not stop a determined baboon, vervet monkey, or an intruder. If your property faces any of these risks, security screens are the appropriate specification.
Security screens use 316 stainless steel mesh bonded to reinforced aluminium frames with tamper-resistant fixings and multi-point locking. They block insects, resist primate force, and deter forced entry. One product, three jobs. Properties bordering the Knysna forest, the Robberg corridor in Plettenberg Bay, the Goukamma reserve in Sedgefield, and bush-facing positions in George and Wilderness should be assessed for security screen specification on accessible openings.
See the dedicated security screens page for full specifications and installation areas.
Does Custom Blinds supply fly screens outside the Garden Route?
No. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings installs screens on the Garden Route only, from Mossel Bay through to Plettenberg Bay. Installation requires a site visit for measurement and fitting, which our team covers across this area.
For installations outside the Garden Route, Corner Star supplies and installs screens nationally through their own network of approved dealers. Visit cornerstar.co.za to find your nearest installer.
Fly screen questions answered
Do fly screens block the view or reduce light?
No. Fine mesh is almost invisible from inside the room and frames sit close to existing joinery. Rooms stay bright and views remain clear. The difference is only noticeable when you look directly at the mesh rather than through it.
Can fly screens fit large sliding and stacking doors?
Yes. Sliding screen systems fit openings up to 6 metres wide and track alongside existing door hardware. Multi-panel stacking door configurations use custom track systems aligned with your existing door profiles. Retractable screens suit openings where you want the view completely unobstructed when screens are not in use.
How long do fly screens last on the Garden Route coast?
With powder-coated aluminium frames and fibreglass or stainless steel mesh, screens last 8 to 12 years in coastal conditions. The mesh typically outlasts the frame hardware. Duncan uses materials specified for salt air and UV exposure rather than general-purpose hardware that corrodes within a few seasons.
How do you clean and maintain fly screens?
Rinse mesh with fresh water to remove salt and dust. Wipe frames with a damp cloth. Check latches and track channels seasonally. Retractable cassette housings benefit from an occasional wipe inside. That covers most Garden Route coastal maintenance.
Where on the Garden Route does Custom Blinds install fly screens?
Across the full Garden Route: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, Sedgefield, Mossel Bay, Wilderness, Buffalo Bay, and surrounding areas. Duncan covers the entire stretch with regular weekly visits to each area. For installations outside this region, Corner Star installs nationally via their dealer network.
Are fly screens worth it on the Garden Route?
Yes. On the Garden Route you either live with closed windows or you live with insects. There is no comfortable middle ground in summer. Properly fitted screens let you run cross-ventilation through the house after dark, sleep with windows open, and run kitchen and patio doors freely during cooking without flies around the food. They also reduce reliance on repellent sprays and plug-in devices. Once fitted, most homeowners say they cannot imagine going back.
Which is better — aluminium or fibreglass fly screen mesh?
For most Garden Route applications: fibreglass mesh in a powder-coated aluminium frame. Fibreglass does not crease or dent when touched, is light enough for retractable cassette systems, and lasts 5 to 8 years in coastal conditions with the right frame. Aluminium mesh is stiffer, used mainly where a tighter weave is needed for fine insect pressure. For security screens on doors, the mesh is 316 stainless steel regardless — fibreglass and aluminium are not strong enough to resist forced entry or baboons. Duncan will specify the correct grade based on the location and use of each opening.
How do I choose the right fly screen mesh for my home?
Match the mesh to the insect pressure and the location. Standard mesh (1.2 – 1.6mm openings) handles mosquitoes and flies. Fine mesh (0.4 – 0.6mm) is needed for midges, common around Knysna Lagoon, Swartvlei, and Keurbooms estuary. Coastal homes need UV-stabilised fibreglass or 316 stainless steel — standard mesh in a non-powder-coated frame corrodes within 18 months on the Garden Route coast. During the site visit, Duncan assesses the specific insect pressure at each property and recommends accordingly.
Ready to get fly screens fitted?
Send Duncan a photo of the opening or book a free site visit. Custom measured and installed across the Garden Route.
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings is an independent, owner-managed window covering specialist established in 2010 and based in Knysna. The business installs fly screens, security screens, outdoor blinds, indoor blinds, shutters, awnings, and shadeports across the Garden Route from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay. Fly screen installation is Garden Route only. For national screen supply and installation, Custom Blinds refers customers to Corner Star, an approved screen manufacturer with a national dealer network. All screens supplied by Custom Blinds are custom measured and fitted on site. Products carry manufacturer warranties on supplied components and Custom Blinds warranties on items we make. We keep every install on file and handle any warranty claim with the supplier on the customer's behalf.
More from the screens range: Screens hub · Security Screens · Insect Screens Guide · Screens Knysna · Screens Plett · Screens Sedgefield
