A fly screen door lets you keep your front or back door open for airflow without letting insects inside. This guide covers the standard sizes, door types, materials and costs, so you know what to look for before you buy.
Why Fit a Fly Screen Door?
A screen door means you can leave your main door open for airflow without letting flies, mosquitoes or moths into the house. Especially important in summer, or in homes without ducted air conditioning.
It also adds a layer of light security. You can see and speak to visitors without the main door standing wide open.
Types of Fly Screen Doors
Fly screen doors generally fall into three types, and the right one depends on how your main door operates.
| Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hinged | Standard single doors (front, back, laundry) | Swings open like a normal door, most common type |
| Sliding | Sliding glass doors | Runs on a track alongside the glass door |
| Retractable | Bifold, stacker or wide openings | Mesh pulls across on a track and retracts out of the way |
A standard hinged screen door only suits a single fixed door opening. Bifold and large stacker doors need a retractable or track-mounted system instead, since a hinged screen cannot fold with the panels.
What Size Fly Screen Door Do You Need?
Most Australian external doors are 2040mm high, with widths of 820mm, 870mm or 920mm being the most common.
Hinged fly screen doors are generally supplied slightly oversized and trimmed on site to fit, with most manufactured doors allowing a maximum of around 5mm to be trimmed from each edge.
Before ordering, measure the width of your door opening at the top, middle and bottom, since older door frames are rarely perfectly square. Use the smallest of the three measurements as your true width, and measure the height in the same way.
Sliding and retractable screens are usually made to measure rather than sold in fixed sizes, since they need to match the exact width of the track or opening. If your home has a wide stacker door or an unusual opening, a made-to-measure screen is generally the safer option over a standard size.
What Frame Material Should You Choose?
Aluminium frames are the most common frame material, since it is lightweight, low maintenance and holds up well outdoors without repainting. It suits most contemporary and project homes.
Timber frames, often in hemlock or a similar straight-grained species, suit period and heritage-style homes where an aluminium frame would look out of place.
Timber generally needs to be painted or sealed on all sides before it is hung, and reviewed every year or two if it faces the weather. If you are replacing the main door alongside the screen door, it is worth browsing timber doors in a matching finish at the same time.
PVC frames are the most budget-friendly option and is common on project-home fly screens, though it typically has a shorter lifespan than aluminium or timber in direct sun.
What Mesh Type Should You Choose?
Fibreglass mesh is the standard choice for most homes. It is affordable and does the job of keeping flies and mosquitoes out, but it is not built to withstand pets scratching at it.
Pet-resistant mesh is a heavier, PVC-coated polyester designed to resist scratches and claws, and is worth the upgrade if you have a cat or dog that uses the door.
Aluminium or stainless steel security mesh is the toughest option, adding a layer of forced-entry resistance as well as insect protection, though it comes at a higher cost and can be more visible than fibreglass.
How to Choose a Fly Screen Door for Your Home
| Home Style | Suggested Frame | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Victorian or Edwardian | Painted timber | Matches existing timber trim and period detailing |
| Federation or timber cottage | Oiled or stained timber | Warm, natural tone suits exposed timber features |
| Contemporary or new build | Aluminium | Low maintenance and suits clean, modern facades |
| Coastal or high-exposure sites | Aluminium with stainless mesh | Resists salt air corrosion better than timber or standard mesh |
If your home has existing brass or antique-finish door hardware, a timber screen door will generally suit the same palette better than a white or silver aluminium frame.
Choosing Hardware for Your Screen Door
A fly screen door needs its own handle, latch and hinges, since standard internal door hardware is not built for a lightweight, frequently used door like this. Look for hardware designed specifically for screen or flyscreen doors, as these are sized and weighted differently to a full timber door set.
A pull handle on the outside paired with a simple latch on the inside is the most common setup, letting the door close and hold shut without a full lock mechanism. Lightweight hinges rated for the door's size and weight are just as important as the handle, since standard door hinges are often too heavy for a screen door.
How Much Do Fly Screen Doors Cost?
Prices vary widely depending on frame material, mesh type and whether the door is standard sized or custom made. As a general guide, a basic hinged door with fibreglass mesh typically starts from around $300 to $500 supplied and fitted.
Security or stainless-mesh hinged doors generally run from around $600 up to $1,500 or more, depending on size and finish. Made-to-measure timber doors sit in a similar range, often from around $700 upward, while sliding and retractable screens for larger openings can start from about $650 and rise well beyond that for stacker or bifold-width doors.
These figures are a general guide only, since pricing varies by supplier, location and custom requirements. Always get a specific quote based on your door's measurements.
Caring for Your Fly Screen Door
Regular cleaning keeps both the mesh and the frame in good condition. A quick clean every month or two is enough for most homes, more often if the door faces a garden or busy street.
For the mesh, use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment on both sides to lift out dust, pollen and cobwebs. For a deeper clean, wipe the mesh gently with a soft cloth dampened in mild soapy water, then dry it off to avoid water sitting in the frame.
For a timber frame, use a soft, damp cloth rather than harsh cleaning chemicals, which can strip or dull a painted or oiled finish. Check the paint or oil finish once or twice a year and touch up any worn spots, especially around the bottom edge and handle area where wear shows first.
If the mesh becomes torn or damaged, it will usually need to be replaced rather than repaired, since a small tear tends to grow over time. Replacing mesh is a common job for a screen or flywire specialist, who can re-tension a new panel into your existing frame.
Quick Checklist: What to Look For When Buying a Fly Screen Door
- Door type: confirm whether you need a hinged, sliding or retractable screen to match how your main door operates.
- Accurate measurements: measure the width and height of your opening at several points, and use the smallest measurement as your true size.
- Trimming allowance: check how much can be trimmed from the door on site.
- Frame material for your climate: aluminium for low maintenance, timber for period homes, and stainless steel or aluminium mesh for coastal or high-exposure sites.
- Mesh type for your household: standard fibreglass for most homes, pet-resistant mesh if you have a cat or dog, security mesh if forced-entry resistance matters.
- Matching hardware: a lightweight pull handle, latch and hinges rated for the door's size and weight, not standard internal door hardware.
- Finishing requirements: if choosing a timber door, confirm whether it needs painting or sealing on all sides before hanging, especially in an exposed position.
- Door swing direction: check which way your main door opens.
- Total cost: get a specific quote based on your exact measurements and chosen specification, since price varies significantly between a basic fibreglass door and a security or made-to-measure option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard size for a fly screen door?
Most Australian external doors are 2040mm high and either 820mm, 870mm or 920mm wide. Hinged screen doors are usually supplied slightly oversized with a trimming allowance of up to around 5mm per edge, but always measure your own opening before ordering.
Are timber fly screen doors suitable for outdoor use?
Most solid timber doors need to be fully painted or sealed on all sides before hanging if they will face an exposed entry. This protects the timber from moisture and helps prevent warping over time.
Do fly screen doors need special hardware?
Yes, fly screen doors need lightweight hardware built for the job, such as a purpose-made pull handle and latch. Standard internal door handles are usually too heavy or the wrong size for a screen door.
How do you clean a fly screen door?
Vacuum the mesh on both sides with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and cobwebs. Wipe the frame with a soft, damp cloth rather than harsh chemicals, which can damage a painted or oiled timber finish.
How do you replace the mesh on a fly screen door?
Torn or damaged mesh usually needs replacing rather than repairing, since small tears tend to grow. This is best handled by a screen or flywire specialist, who can fit a new panel into your existing frame.
Can you have a fly screen with bifold doors?
Not with a standard hinged fly screen door, since these are built for a single fixed door opening. Bifold doors need a purpose-built retractable or track-mounted screen system instead.
How much do fly screen doors cost?
A basic hinged door with fibreglass mesh typically starts from around $300 to $500 supplied and fitted. Security mesh, timber, sliding and retractable options generally cost more, often from $650 upward depending on size and specification.
Shop Timber Fly Screen Doors
Richmond Fly Screen 84cm Door, Raw Hemlock
- 84cm wide by 206cm high, 3.5cm thick, in raw hemlock ready to paint or stain to match existing trim
- Engineered paulownia core with hemlock and moisture-resistant MDF veneer, built to resist warping
- Rated for indoor use; paint all six sides before hanging if fitted in an exposed entry
Hawthorn 84cm Fly Screen Door, Oiled Hemlock
- 84cm wide by 206cm high, 3.5cm thick, with an oiled hemlock finish already applied
- Same warp-resistant paulownia core and veneer construction as the Richmond door
- Rated for indoor use; paint all six sides before hanging if fitted in an exposed entry
Related Guides
- Outdoor Entertainment Ideas and How to Create One - for planning the rest of your outdoor living space this summer.
- Internal & External Door Sizes in Australia - for standard door dimensions if you are replacing your main door alongside a screen door.
- Outdoor Lighting Guide: Choose the Right Outdoor Lights for Your Home - for lighting an entry or alfresco area alongside your fly screen door.
- Outdoor Chairs Sizes: Standard Dimensions Guide - for sizing seating in the entertaining area behind your screen door.
