Fly Screens for Balconies in Dubai

The best screen depends on how your balcony opens and how often you use it. For a glass sliding door, a retractable screen is the usual pick because the mesh rolls away when you want a clean view, while a sliding panel works if you step in and out a lot during the day.

For very wide openings onto a terrace, a pleated or plain mesh screen covers the full span without a heavy frame in the middle. French and Juliet doors that open inward suit a flat magnetic or fixed screen that sits tight to the frame. If you are not sure, that is what the free measurement is for. We look at the opening, ask how you use the space, and recommend the system and mesh that will work, rather than pushing one product for every balcony.

Balconies sit out in full sun and wind, so the mesh matters more here than on a sheltered window. We use fibreglass and polyester see-through mesh that holds its shape in heat and shrugs off dust. Both let air pass freely while blocking mosquitoes, flies and the fine sand that blows in during the hotter months.

Colour makes a real difference to the view. A charcoal, grey or black mesh almost disappears against a bright Dubai sky and cuts glare, so you look straight through to the skyline. A lighter mesh is a little more visible up close. On coastal balconies near the marina or the Palm, salt in the air is harder on cheap mesh, so a quality weave on an aluminium frame is worth it. We will show you mesh samples at the measurement so you can see the difference before you decide.

We make screens up to about 6 metres high and 12 metres wide, with a single panel running up to about 5 metres. That covers almost every balcony door and most full terrace openings in one go. For spans wider than a single panel, we split the run into panels or use a tensioned plain mesh so the whole opening stays covered.

Wind is the other thing to plan for on a high floor. A tall, wide mesh catches the breeze, so the frame and the fixing have to be right. We use sturdy aluminium frames and fit them properly to the structure, and for very exposed balconies we suggest a system and mesh tension that handles gusts without flapping. This is the kind of detail we check on site, because a screen that is fine on the second floor may need a stronger setup on the thirtieth. We have fitted screens on exposed high-floor units right across the city, so we know which systems hold up to coastal gusts and which ones to avoid for a wide opening that catches the wind.

If you rent, you do not want holes in the door frame or a fight with the landlord at the end of the lease. Every screen we fit goes on with strong double sided tape, so nothing is drilled and the frame is left exactly as it was. When you move out, the screen comes off and the surface is clean.

For tenants, magnetic screens are popular because they are light, removable and easy to take with you. Retractable and sliding screens also fit without drilling and can be removed later. The same approach works for owners who simply do not want any marks on a new fit-out. Tell us it is a rental at the measurement and we will keep the install completely removable.

Balcony mesh collects more dust than indoor screens, simply because it faces the open air. The good news is that it is easy to keep clean. A rinse with water and a wipe with a soft brush or cloth clears the dust, and a little mild soapy water lifts anything stubborn. There is no need for harsh chemicals, which can shorten the life of the mesh.

How often you clean depends on where you are. Near a construction site or a busy road, once a month keeps the mesh clear. In a quieter community, every couple of months is plenty. Retractable and pleated screens should be rolled or folded gently and kept free of grit in the track, which we show you how to do at handover. Looked after this way, the mesh stays clear and the screen keeps running smoothly for years. After a heavy dust day it is worth a quick rinse, and once a year a wipe of the frame and a clear-out of any grit in the runners keeps everything moving freely. None of this takes more than a few minutes.

A lot of these enquiries come from cat owners and families who want the opening covered. A full balcony enclosure does add a physical barrier across the gap, which keeps pigeons from nesting and gives cats less chance to slip onto the railing. The mesh and frame can be specified stronger for these jobs.

We want to be straight with you here. Our screens are insect screens first. They are not sold or certified as a child or pet fall-safety barrier, so we would never tell you to rely on a fly screen alone where there is a real height risk. What we can do is recommend the toughest mesh and a solid frame, and fit it neatly so it does its main job, keeping insects out, while adding that extra barrier across the opening. Talk to us about your situation and we will give you honest advice rather than overselling.

It starts with a free visit. We come to your home, measure every opening on the balcony, and check how each door runs and where the screen should sit. We bring mesh samples and talk through the systems so you can picture the result. There is no charge for this and no pressure to order.

Once you are happy, your screens are made to those exact sizes, which takes 4 to 8 working days. On fitting day we mount each screen with double sided tape, line it up so it runs true, and test it with you. A normal opening takes around 15 minutes, and a big terrace with several panels can take up to an hour. We clear away all the offcuts and packaging, so the space is ready to use straight after. If anything needs adjusting later, we come back.

People sometimes ask whether they should glaze the balcony in or just hang outdoor curtains instead. Glazing seals the balcony off and changes it into an indoor room, which is a big job and takes away the open-air feeling that made you want the outdoor space in the first place. Curtains move in the wind and do nothing to stop insects.

A fly screen sits in the middle in the best way. It keeps the breeze, the light and the view, while putting a fine barrier between you and the mosquitoes, flies and dust. You still use the balcony as a balcony. For most homes that want to sit out in the evening without being bitten, a made-to-measure screen is the simplest answer. If you also screen the windows inside, our fly screens for windows and mosquito nets use the same mesh and finish, so the whole home matches.