When you shop for a mosquito net you quickly meet two systems: the pleated (plissé) fly screen and the roller fly screen. Both keep insects out while letting air in, and both can be made to measure. But they work very differently, and the right choice depends on whether the opening is a window or a door you walk through every day. This guide compares them so you can choose with confidence.
How each system works
Roller fly screen
The mesh winds onto a spring-loaded roller inside a cassette. You pull it down or across and hook it to the opposite side; when you release it, the spring rolls the mesh back up. Roller screens are a classic choice for windows that you open and close a few times a day.
Pleated (plissé) fly screen
The mesh is folded like an accordion and slides along a top and bottom guide. There is no spring: the net stays exactly where you leave it, fully open, fully closed or anywhere in between. When open, it folds into a slim pack at the side of the frame.
Pleated vs roller: side-by-side comparison
- Operation: roller screens are pulled against spring tension and snap back when released; pleated screens glide smoothly and quietly with no spring tension.
- Position: a roller screen is either open or hooked closed; a pleated screen can be left partly open, handy for passing a cable or letting a pet look out.
- Walking through: on a balcony or patio door, a spring screen that rolls back on its own is awkward with full hands; a pleated net is walk-through friendly and simply stays put.
- Large openings: wide doors are where pleated nets shine, because there is no long roller under tension.
- Space when open: both disappear almost completely; the pleated net folds into a compact pack at the side.
- Typical use: roller screens for standard windows; pleated nets for French windows, balcony doors, patio doors and any window you open many times a day.
Which one should you choose?
Choose a pleated net if…
- The opening is a door you walk through every day.
- You have children or pets and want a net that does not spring back.
- The opening is wide, or you want to leave the net partly open.
- You prefer a smooth, quiet movement over a spring mechanism.
A roller screen can be enough if…
- It is a small window you rarely touch once the season starts.
- You want the mesh to retract by itself when not in use.
Many homes mix the two, but if you want one system that works on both windows and doors, a pleated net is the more versatile choice. That is why Window-All makes its made-to-measure mosquito nets in the pleated system.
Getting the size right
Whatever the system, a fly screen only works if it fits the opening. Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom and the height on the left, centre and right, and keep the smallest readings. In our configurator you enter the size of the opening: we apply the fitting tolerance before production, so you do not need to subtract anything yourself. Our step-by-step guide on how to measure for a pleated mosquito net covers windows and patio doors, with the most common mistakes to avoid.
Pair it with shade and privacy
A mosquito net handles insects and fresh air; for light and privacy, combine it with a made-to-measure roller blind or an aluminium venetian blind, measured the same way.
Order your pleated mosquito net
Our made-to-measure pleated mosquito net has a sturdy aluminium frame and starts from €95. Enter your measurements in the configurator to see your exact price before you pay.
- Shipping: Italy €7.90, EU countries €12.90, USA €24.90 (import duties paid by the recipient).
- We confirm the production and dispatch date by email within 2 business days.
- Not sure which net suits your door? Send us a photo through the contact form.