Phifer 1816 vs BetterVue Screen | Broadview Screen
Phifer 1816 vs. BetterVue Screen Mesh: Which Is Best for Your Screened Porch?
When building or renovating a screened porch, most homeowners spend considerable time choosing the framing, flooring, and overall design. But one important decision is often overlooked: the type of insect screen mesh.
Not all insect screening is the same. The material you choose can affect how clearly you see your backyard, how much fresh air enters your porch, how well insects are kept out, and how the screening withstands everyday use.
Two popular screening products manufactured by Phifer are 1816 standard fiberglass screen mesh and BetterVue insect screening.
At Broadview Screen, we’ve been helping St. Louis homeowners enjoy their screened porches and outdoor living spaces since 1989.
Let’s compare these two products and explain when each may be the better choice.
1. What is Phifer 1816 fiberglass screen mesh?
Phifer Standard Fiberglass Screening — Official Manufacturer Website
Phifer 1816 is a traditional fiberglass insect screen commonly used in residential windows, screen doors, and screened porches.
The numbers 1816 refer to the mesh count, meaning approximately 18 strands in one direction and 16 strands in the other per linear inch.
Phifer’s standard fiberglass screen is woven from fiberglass yarns that are coated with protective vinyl.
This provides a flexible, durable screening material that resists rust, corrosion, and staining.
Advantages of Phifer 1816 screening include:
- Economical and reliable insect protection
- Good airflow and ventilation
- Suitable for traditional residential screening applications
- Flexible fiberglass construction
- Resistance to rust and corrosion
- Available in charcoal and silver-gray colors
- Easy to replace or repair when necessary
Phifer 1816 has been a longstanding choice for residential insect screening because it provides a practical combination of performance, durability, and value.
Its primary tradeoff is that the screen mesh is more noticeable when looking through it compared with improved-visibility products such as BetterVue.
2. What is Phifer BetterVue screen mesh?
Phifer BetterVue Screening — Official Manufacturer Website
Phifer BetterVue is an improved-visibility fiberglass insect screening designed to make the screen itself less noticeable.
BetterVue uses finer screening yarns and a more open construction to provide a clearer view of the outdoors compared with standard fiberglass screening.
If you have a screened porch overlooking a landscaped backyard, swimming pool, golf course, or wooded property, this improved visibility can be a significant advantage.
BetterVue also incorporates Phifer’s Water Shed Technology, a water-repellent coating that helps water and debris shed from the screening.
Advantages of BetterVue include:
- Improved outward visibility
- More natural light entering the screened area
- Approximately 20% better airflow than standard fiberglass screening
- Improved insect protection compared with standard screening
- Water-repellent coating that helps reduce water accumulation
- A less noticeable appearance from inside the porch
BetterVue is available in black, which helps the mesh visually recede against outdoor scenery.
Its primary appeal is simple: you notice the view more and the screen less.
3. What are the biggest differences between Phifer 1816 and BetterVue?
Both products are designed to keep insects out while allowing fresh air into your porch.
However, they emphasize different performance characteristics.
| Feature | Phifer 1816 | Phifer BetterVue |
|---|---|---|
| Main advantage | Traditional value and performance | Improved visibility and airflow |
| Appearance | More noticeable mesh | Less noticeable mesh |
| Material | Vinyl-coated fiberglass | Improved-visibility fiberglass |
| Outdoor views | Good | Better |
| Airflow | Standard | Approximately 20% better |
| Insect protection | Good | Enhanced compared with standard screening |
| Durability | Good for normal residential use | Good for normal residential use |
| Colors | Charcoal, silver gray | Black |
| Water Shed Technology | No | Yes |
| Cost | Generally more economical | Generally a premium option |
For many homeowners, the decision comes down to whether they prefer a dependable traditional screen or a screen that provides a clearer view of the outdoors.
4. Which screen offers a better view of the outdoors?
Phifer BetterVue is the better choice when visibility is your top priority.
The finer yarns are less noticeable than those used in traditional 1816 screening.
This is particularly appealing for porches overlooking attractive landscaping, wooded lots, swimming pools, or golf courses.
For example, a homeowner with a screened porch overlooking a large backyard may prefer BetterVue because the screening is less visually distracting.
Phifer 1816 still provides good visibility, especially in charcoal, but its traditional mesh construction is more apparent.
If preserving the appearance of your outdoor view is important, BetterVue deserves serious consideration.
5. Which screen allows more airflow?
BetterVue provides approximately 20% better airflow than standard fiberglass screening, according to Phifer.
This is an advantage during hot and humid St. Louis summers, when homeowners want to maximize natural breezes through their screened porches.
Phifer 1816 also provides good ventilation, but its traditional construction does not offer the same improved airflow performance as BetterVue.
Actual airflow through a porch also depends on the layout, wind conditions, and size and placement of screened openings.
For homeowners who prioritize ventilation, BetterVue is an attractive option.
6. Which screen is stronger and more durable?
Both Phifer 1816 and BetterVue are designed for everyday residential screening applications.
Phifer 1816 is a dependable traditional fiberglass screening material that resists rust, corrosion, and staining.
BetterVue uses finer yarns to improve visibility and airflow while maintaining durability appropriate for its intended applications.
Neither product should be considered pet-resistant or designed to withstand significant physical abuse.
For porches with pets, frequent impacts, or unusually demanding conditions, specialized products such as Phifer PetScreen or TuffScreen may be more appropriate.
If the porch has particularly large openings, the installer should evaluate whether standard fiberglass screening or a purpose-designed pool and patio mesh is appropriate.
The supporting frame, screen dimensions, and installation method are also important to long-term performance.
7. Which screen does a better job keeping insects out?
Both Phifer 1816 and BetterVue provide effective protection against mosquitoes, flies, and many other common insects.
However, Phifer reports that BetterVue provides approximately 10% improved insect protection compared with standard fiberglass or aluminum screening.
This is a manufacturer-reported product comparison, not a guarantee that a porch will have 10% fewer insects.
Neither product is specifically designed to provide maximum protection against extremely small insects, commonly called no-see-ums.
If tiny insects are a particular problem, a specialized small-insect screen, such as Phifer’s 2020 mesh, may be worth considering.
Also remember that the overall installation matters. Even excellent screen mesh cannot prevent insects from entering through gaps around doors or adjoining structures.
8. Is BetterVue worth the additional cost?
For homeowners who value an unobstructed backyard view, BetterVue may be worth the additional investment.
Screening is often a relatively small component of the overall cost of a screened porch project, but it can have a noticeable effect on how the finished space looks and feels.
Consider how you plan to use your porch.
If your porch overlooks a scenic backyard and you’ll spend considerable time relaxing or entertaining there, improved visibility may be an important benefit.
If you’re looking for a traditional, dependable screened porch and enhanced visibility isn’t your primary concern, Phifer 1816 may offer better value.
The actual price difference will depend on the size of the project, material requirements, and installation.
At Broadview Screen, we recommend comparing actual samples rather than selecting a screen based solely on its price or appearance in photographs.
9. Does BetterVue’s Water Shed Technology make it waterproof?
No. BetterVue’s Water Shed Technology is designed to repel water from the screen material, not to turn a screened porch into a weatherproof enclosure.
When rain strikes conventional insect screening, water can temporarily collect in the small openings between yarns. This can make the screen appear cloudy or obstruct the view.
BetterVue’s water-repellent coating helps water shed from the mesh, which can improve visibility during and after rainfall.
The coating also helps reduce the accumulation of dirt and debris.
However, rain can still pass through the screen openings, particularly during wind-driven storms.
If you’re looking for a porch enclosure that provides greater protection from wind and rain, you may want to consider a separate enclosure system such as EZE-Breeze.
Learn about EZE-Breeze porch enclosures from Broadview Screen.
10. Which screen is best for a screened porch in St. Louis?
St. Louis homeowners experience hot, humid summers, strong thunderstorms, changing seasonal temperatures, and plenty of mosquitoes.
Both Phifer 1816 and BetterVue can be good choices for local screened porches.
Choose Phifer 1816 if:
- You want dependable, traditional insect screening.
- Cost and overall value are important considerations.
- You prefer a standard fiberglass screen material.
- Enhanced outward visibility is not your primary concern.
Choose Phifer BetterVue if:
- You want a clearer view of your backyard.
- Natural light and ventilation are particularly important.
- You prefer screening that is less visually noticeable.
- You appreciate the benefits of its water-repellent coating.
There isn’t one perfect screen for every home. The best choice depends on your porch design and the features that matter most to you.
11. Can I replace my existing porch screen with BetterVue?
In many cases, yes.
If you have an existing screened porch with traditional 1816 fiberglass screening and want to improve your outward view, replacing the screen material with BetterVue may be an option.
The existing screen frames, opening dimensions, spline channels, and installation method should be evaluated first.
For larger openings, selecting a material appropriate to the size and construction of the frame is especially important.
A professional screen company can help determine which screening products are suitable for your existing enclosure.
12. Which screen does Broadview Screen recommend?
Our recommendation depends on how the homeowner plans to use the porch.
For traditional screened porches where reliability, affordability, and everyday insect protection are the main priorities, Phifer 1816 is an excellent option.
For homeowners who want improved views, greater ventilation, and less noticeable screening, Phifer BetterVue is an attractive alternative.
We believe homeowners should understand the differences before choosing their screening material.
At Broadview Screen, we’ve specialized in custom screening solutions for the St. Louis area since 1989. We help homeowners select appropriate screening materials for their porches based on appearance, performance, and the construction of the enclosure.
Learn more about Phifer screening
For additional product specifications, visit Phifer’s official website:
About Broadview Screen
Broadview Screen has been serving the St. Louis metropolitan area since 1989.
We specialize in custom-manufactured insect screens, screened porches, motorized retractable screens, and EZE-Breeze porch enclosures.
Whether you’re building a new screened porch or replacing existing insect screening, our experienced team can help you evaluate your options.
Contact Broadview Screen for information or an estimate.
Broadview Screen
12951 Gravois Road, Suite 110
St. Louis, MO 63127
Phone: 314-842-8888
