Pleated Mosquito Net Buying Guide: Mesh, Tracks and What Lasts

A pleated mosquito net is a retractable screen that folds like an accordion into a slim side channel. Done well, it lasts a decade and you barely notice it. Done badly, it jams within a season. The difference is in four components.

1. The mesh

• Fibreglass mesh: the standard — flexible, does not crease permanently, resists corrosion.
• Polyester mesh: cheaper, more prone to permanent creasing at the pleats.
• Stainless mesh: for pet-heavy homes where claws are a factor; costs more.

2. The track and profile

Powder-coated aluminium profile with a smooth bottom track is what keeps the pleats moving freely. Thin, unbraced profiles bend under their own length on wide openings, and that is the number one cause of a screen that no longer glides.

3. Pleat spacing and cord tension

Cords running through every pleat keep the fold pattern even. Wider pleat spacing looks cheaper and sags faster. Ask to see the cord system before you buy.

4. Installation accuracy

Openings are rarely perfectly square. Every unit should be made to measure after an on-site survey, not ordered in standard sizes and forced into the frame.

What it costs

Expect ₹280–₹450 per sq ft depending on mesh and profile quality. A typical 4 ft × 5 ft window comes to roughly ₹5,600–₹9,000 fully installed.

Care

Vacuum the mesh monthly, wipe the bottom track so grit does not build up, and never force a stuck screen — a jammed pleat usually means debris in the track, not a broken unit.