Sash-Type Insect Screens: Benefits, Types & FAQs
Sash-type insect screens are fixed aluminium-framed flyscreens designed for windows. They let fresh air into your home while keeping insects, leaves and debris outside, and they’re removable for cleaning and custom-made to fit each window, which is why they remain one of the most practical insect screen solutions for South African homes.
What Is a Sash-Type Insect Screen?
A sash-type insect screen is a fixed window screen made up of one stationary panel and one moveable panel set inside an aluminium frame. The moveable sash slides up and down on top-hung windows, or side to side on side-hung windows, giving you access to the window handle while the rest of the screen stays in place to keep insects out.
Key Takeaways
- Custom-made for aluminium, timber and steel window frames
- Keeps flies, mosquitoes, moths and other insects outside
- Allows natural ventilation while staying shut against pests
- Removable for easy cleaning and re-meshing
- Durable, marine-grade powder-coated aluminium frame
- Suits kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and burglar-barred windows
- Available with Insect Mesh or Pet Mesh, nationwide
Ready to get yours measured up? Get in touch for a free measure and quote.
Why Sash-Type Screens Are a Classic
Sash-type insect screens are the type of window screens you might recall from your childhood. Their classic design has endured, and there are good reasons why they’re still so popular. Let’s explore what makes this insect screen an old favourite.
Design & Configuration
It’s a simple design. One fixed panel and one moveable panel sit within an aluminium frame that fits over the window.
If you have a top-hung window, the screen slides up and down, giving you access to the window handle at the bottom. If you have a side-hung window, we install the screen vertically, so the moveable panel slides from left to right, giving you access to the handle on the side of the screen.
Where Are Sash-Type Insect Screens Used?
Because the design is fixed, low-profile and unobtrusive, sash-type screens suit almost any room with a window. Kitchens benefit from the ventilation without inviting flies in while you’re cooking.
Bathrooms get fresh air without losing privacy or letting moths and mosquitoes in overnight. Bedrooms stay cool and pest-free for sleeping with the window open.
They’re just as common in offices, schools and retirement homes, where low-maintenance, durable window screens that don’t need retracting or constant adjustment make sense for high-traffic or low-supervision environments.
In coastal homes, the marine-grade powder coating on the frame and the PVC-coated mesh make sash-type screens a particularly good fit, since they’re built to resist salt air and sun exposure.
Features & Benefits
You can install sash-type insect screens on existing aluminium and wood frames, but they still work best with the steel frames they were originally designed for. Here are some other features and benefits worth knowing:
Easy to operate. Slide the moving screen out of the way to access the window handle and open your window, then pull the screen back across the opening for complete protection against pests.
Durable. A marine-grade powder coating protects the aluminium frame from exposure to the elements. Even the mesh, whether Insect or Pet Mesh, gets a coating of PVC to protect it from the sun.
Easy to install. Our sash-type screens are available as a DIY option, but you can always let our trained installation teams do the work for you.
Easy to clean and maintain. Wipe the aluminium frame down with a damp, soft cloth, and run your vacuum over the mesh to keep your screens looking sharp. If the mesh tears or wears down over time, the screens can be re-meshed rather than replaced outright.
Sash-Type vs Roller vs Sliding Screens
| Feature | Sash-Type Screen | Roller Screen | Sliding Screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Frame | Yes | No | No |
| Retractable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best For Windows | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best For Doors | No | No | Yes |
| Easy Removal for Cleaning | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Typical Cost | Lower | Medium | Higher |
If you’re weighing up a window screen against a door screen, our sliding screen doors guide covers the retractable option for patios and stacking doors.
Insect Mesh or Pet Mesh?
The sash-type screen design is one of three Flyscreen Supreme applications that also work with Pet Mesh. We cover the difference between Insect Mesh and Pet Mesh in detail in our article on Pet Screens, but for now, you only need to know that Insect Mesh keeps pests like flies, mosquitoes, moths and even spiders out, while Pet Mesh does all that and is strong enough to keep pets inside too.
Sash-Type Insect Screen Anatomy
Our screens consist of four elements:
- The aluminium frame
- The two individual sashes, one fixed and one moveable
- The mesh
- A small handle for operating the moveable screen
Dealing with Burglar Bars
Burglar bars are a common feature on steel windows, but you needn’t worry about them getting in the way of your flyscreens. We have a solution for that.
When installing your screens, we mark the position of the bars on the frame of the screen and cut a small notch in the frame so it sits snugly against the bars.
The screen forms a tight seal against the window, keeping bugs locked out, and it blends in with the window rather than looking like an afterthought.
Maintenance & Warranty
Wipe the aluminium frame down with a damp cloth and vacuum the mesh periodically to keep the screen performing well. If the mesh tears or wears thin over time, it can be re-meshed rather than needing a full replacement.
Our insect screens carry a 5-year warranty for workmanship and material defects, covering assembly, manufacturing and installation faults, but not fair wear and tear. As with our other insect screen ranges, the mesh itself isn’t covered under warranty, since it’s the component most exposed to everyday wear.
Install or DIY?
You can install our sash-type insect screens yourself. If you have steel windows, the screens attach with clips. For wood and aluminium frames, you’ll need basic tools such as a drill and screwdriver, but it’s straightforward, and we provide all the necessary screws and a set of instructions.
Or you can let our trained installation teams install your screens, which we’d recommend. Our installers have the tools and knowledge to fix any issues on-site immediately, and you can rest assured your screens are correctly fitted.
Aluminium-framed products in South Africa are generally measured against performance criteria set by the Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of South Africa (AAAMSA), the industry body responsible for testing aluminium framing against wind, water and air resistance standards.
Why Choose House of Supreme
House of Supreme has been manufacturing and installing screens, shutters and blinds in South Africa for over 25 years.
As a local manufacturer with multiple branches nationwide, every sash-type screen we make is custom-built to your exact window measurements, and fitted by our own trained installation team rather than subcontracted labour. You can read more about House of Supreme and our manufacturing history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sash-type screens be installed over burglar bars?
Yes. We notch the frame to sit snugly against the bars during installation, forming a tight seal that keeps insects out without the bars getting in the way.
What’s the difference between Insect Mesh and Pet Mesh? I
nsect Mesh keeps pests like flies, mosquitoes, moths and spiders out. Pet Mesh does the same while also being strong enough to keep pets safely inside, making it the better choice if you have a dog or cat that scratches at screens.
Can I install a sash-type screen myself?
Yes. Steel window installations clip on, while wood and aluminium frames need basic tools like a drill and screwdriver. We supply the screws and instructions, though our trained installers are available if you’d rather not do it yourself.
Do sash-type screens suit coastal homes?
Yes. The marine-grade powder coating on the aluminium frame and the PVC coating on the mesh are designed to resist salt air, sun and general weather exposure.
Can sash-type screens be re-meshed if they tear?
Yes. If the mesh tears or wears down over time, it can be re-meshed rather than needing to replace the entire screen.
Quick Summary
Sash-type insect screens are a fixed, low-maintenance window screen built from one stationary and one moveable aluminium-framed panel.
They suit almost any room, work around burglar bars without a fuss, and are available in Insect Mesh or Pet Mesh, all backed by a 5-year workmanship and material warranty.
Next Steps
Looking for inexpensive, durable insect screens with an unobtrusive design? Our sash-type insect screens are the obvious choice and have been for decades.
Get in touch with us today to request a quote for your home.
