Vinyl-coated fiberglass, the most popular screen fabric material, doesn’t corrode, rust, or stain, but it will stretch and tears more easily than aluminum.

A spokesperson at Phifer Wire Products, one of the country’s largest screen manufacturers, explains the process: “We start with raw spun-glass filament and apply a vinyl (PVC) coating, producing remarkably strong single strands that are typically .011 mil for window screening and .013 mil for pool enclosures, patio rooms, and some door screening.” This screening is available in silver gray, dark gray, and aquamarine; silver gray and dark gray are the most popular.

In addition to the conventional 18 x 16 mesh, you can buy 18 x 14 for pool enclosures, porches, and the like. You can even buy 20 x 20 mesh, a very tight weave that stops tiny insects such as no-see-ums, but it does cut down on light transmission and breezes.

Solar or “sun” screen is also made from vinyl-coated fiberglass. Used for both window and door screening and patio, porch, and pool enclosures, this tightly woven material can be a dramatic energy saver.

The newest development in the past decade, solar screening blocks heat gain, thereby reducing your air conditioning load, and keeps furniture and carpeting from fading. But in return, you give up about 30 percent of the light. The newest type offers a whopping 90 percent shading.

During the daytime, solar screen appears almost opaque from the outside but offers good visibility from inside. Five colors are available: charcoal, bronze, dark bronze, silver gray, and gold. Charcoal and silver gray are the most commonly used.

Fiberglass screening is available in the same sizes as aluminum and up to 84 inches wide. Do-it-yourself rolls of sun screening run 30 x 60 inches, 36 x 60 inches, 36 x 84 inches, and 48 x 84 inches. In addition, you can buy 100-foot-long rolls in varying widths. Price runs from 15 to 25 cents per square foot.