This guide helps organize that conversation. It does not select a structural design, certify storm performance or replace the installer and manufacturer's assessment of your enclosure.
Rank your top two needs first
Write down what bothers you today. Is it tiny insects, a view that feels obscured, frequent damage in lower panels, or a particular privacy concern? “Everything, at the lowest price” does not establish a useful trade-off.
Observe the enclosure from the seats and paths you actually use. A sample held against a white showroom wall may not show how it looks against your garden. Compare candidates side by side at the same location and time; label them so a favorable impression is not detached from the product name.
Mesh count is a description, not the whole decision
Phifer distinguishes its 20×20 small-insect screening from other pool-and-patio products and describes different intended applications across its range. Its product guidance also limits some materials to vertical rather than roof applications. Those distinctions are reasons to request an exact product and approved use—not evidence that any named mesh suits every enclosure. Phifer pool and patio screening.
Material, strand dimensions, weave and product construction can affect what two screens feel like in use. Do not treat a mesh number as a complete durability, airflow or structural rating.
Use this comparison card
| Question | Candidate A | Candidate B | Evidence to request |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact manufacturer/product | ___ | ___ | Current product sheet |
| Main insect concern | ___ | ___ | Intended insect protection |
| View from seating area | ___ | ___ | Labeled physical sample |
| Lower-panel wear concern | ___ | ___ | Intended application and limitations |
| Roof or wall position | ___ | ___ | Manufacturer/installer confirmation |
| Appearance in daylight | ___ | ___ | Same-location sample review |
| Warranty and exclusions | ___ | ___ | Actual written terms |
| Installed scope | ___ | ___ | Panels, hardware and exclusions |
Keep subjective observations separate from published specifications. “We preferred sample B's view” is an honest finding. “B increases airflow by 20%” requires directly applicable manufacturer evidence, not a feeling during a breezy afternoon.
Avoid three expensive assumptions
Privacy is not a fixed property under every lighting condition. Ask to see the actual material and discuss the conditions that matter to you. Do not rely on a daytime sample to establish what someone will see at night.
Tougher-sounding mesh is not a child-safety barrier. Insect screening should not be treated as fall protection or a substitute for required pool-safety measures. Doors, latches, enclosure condition and applicable requirements need their own review.
A product test is not a warranty for your entire enclosure. Existing framing, connections, openings and installation details matter. Do not translate a manufacturer's isolated test statement into a hurricane guarantee for an existing structure.
Finish with a written selection
Record the chosen product, color, panel locations and approved substitutions. If the material changes during ordering, revisit the decision rather than accepting “equivalent” without identification. Include the condition of frames, doors and attachment details in the estimate discussion.
For a Camo Krew pool-screen-enclosure consultation, bring the comparison card and a few safe ground-level photographs. The useful outcome is a documented choice that fits your priorities and the actual enclosure—not simply the most impressive adjective on a quote.