Mesh Fabric: Key Points and Properties

Mesh Fabric: Key Points and Properties

With so many uses and applications, mesh fabric is one of the wonders of the modern textile world. Let’s take a look at some of its properties to see what makes this versatile material so popular.

Fiber Content

The fiber content of mesh fabric is what makes it so functional. Containing anything from polyester or nylon to stainless steel and even copper, mesh is incredibly adaptable.

Use the lightweight metal mesh for the punk rock or goth aesthetic. You can make a fashion statement with mesh pockets or see-through mesh sections with solid appliques for modesty.

Or how about some structure, mystery, and romance with some soft nylon tulle on a ball gown or party dress. Bothered by bugs or mosquitos? Try some practical polyester netting to keep them at bay.

Breathability

Due to the overall pattern of open spaces, mesh fabric is considered to be breathable. Even when it’s made from synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester.

The breathable properties work in a slightly different way to the breathability in natural fibers, though. Heat and moisture don’t get absorbed by the material, they escape through the holes. This means mesh fabric can keep you cool, making it an ideal fabric for activewear.

Warmth

Mesh fabric is full of holes, so its heat retention capabilities are low. You don’t want to be making a winter coat out of a mesh material, particularly if it has large holes. Rather than keep you warm, wind and rain will penetrate straight through to your skin, making you feel cold and uncomfortable.

This is one area where a mesh fabric is a poor choice. Although it can keep you cool by allowing heat to escape, the holes can’t trap heat next to your body to keep you warm. Especially if the mesh is synthetic. Even a small-hole mesh will make you feel chilly relatively quickly.

Care and Maintenance

Although mesh fabric is strong and durable, it can be easily damaged if treated roughly. The material is made up of holes that can snag on anything from buttons to zipper pulls. Synthetic mesh is also heat intolerant.

When caring for mesh fabrics, treat them as delicate. Infrequent washing is best as the more times you launder a mesh material, the more chance you have of damage. Washing by hand is safest, but you can use a machine on a cool wash and gentle setting.

Allowing your mesh to air dry will ensure it doesn’t get overheated in a dryer. One final thing to watch out for is to wash the mesh garments on their own, or at least with other delicates.

Durability

Mesh fabric has many uses, from garments and medical devices to net shopping bags. In all cases, its unique structure makes it strong and long-lasting. One of the reasons for this is the holes. They allow the fabric to flex under pressure, like the weight of your shopping, for instance.

Coupled with the fact that mesh fabric can be made from nylon and polyester fibers, you’re looking at fabric with incredible durability. It’s this strength that gives mesh the ability to be adaptable. Making it an important and crucial material in so many industrial and commercial settings.

There aren’t many other textiles that can be both structural and flexible at the same time. Even in the fashion industry, the amount of stretch combined with the support offered by a mesh material has revolutionized clothing. Particularly corsetry and shapewear.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of mesh fabric depends on what it is made from. As mesh in today’s world of fast fashion tends to be synthetic, the fabric will have the same detrimental effects on the ecology as any artificial textile.

Synthetic fibers are derived from oil and are therefore reliant on fossil fuels. As oil and other petroleum products are not renewable, they can make synthetic mesh unsustainable. Having said that, it is possible to make mesh from recycled polyester. Not only does this reduce the level of synthetic material decaying in landfills, but it also lessens the impact on the environment from making polyester from scratch.

Weight and Thickness

Mesh fabric comes in a wide variety of weights and thicknesses to match the vast array of products it is used in. From the ultra-thin mesh used in bridal veils to the heavier mesh used in plastic safety fencing, there’s a size to suit any task.

It’s important to keep the task you need the mesh for in your mind when choosing a fabric. The wrong choice can ruin your project. A mesh netting like tulle, for instance, would be a poor choice for an external pocket on a backpack. It would tear easily. Similarly, you wouldn’t want to use flyscreen mesh for a sports bra; it would be too rigid.

What Are the Different Types of Mesh Fabric?

Due to its universal nature, mesh comes in many different types. Each one has a specific purpose. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular ones.

Cotton Pique

Used in sportswear, cotton pique is known as being the original fabric for polo shirts. Developed by René Lacoste, a 1920s tennis star, cotton pique has become the go-to fabric for sporting style and sophistication.

The fabric has an all-over waffle type pattern reminiscent of mesh fabric. Albeit one with minuscule gaps that are so tiny, they are almost non-existent. It’s because of this, many believe cotton pique isn’t a true mesh.

Netting

The term netting can be used to cover a whole range of mesh fabrics, from fishing nets to tulle. Although they have different functions, netting fabrics all have similar qualities.

Normally transparent with visible open spaces, netting or nets are fabrics that come in a range of weights and thicknesses depending on the job they were made for. The finer the net is, the more sheer and delicate the fabric will be.

Tulle

Tulle is a type of netting. Made up of a pattern of hexagons, tulle is a fine net fabric used in bridal gowns, veils, and party dresses. A stiff material, tulle doesn’t stretch like other mesh fabrics. Because of its rigidity, it can be used to create shape in a garment, particularly ball gowns, where it can add volume to long, billowing circle skirts. Delicate yet practical, tulle can also add structure and a hint of delicacy to wings on a girl’s ballet costume.

Probably one of the better known forms of mesh fabric, tulle is a great material for crafts and sewing projects. Not only does it create interest in the external parts of a garment, but you can also use it as a lining or as interfacing.

Power Mesh

Made from a blend of nylon and spandex, power mesh is a stretchy synthetic fabric with the look of sheer netting. Another term for power mesh is compression mesh because of its intense elasticity. It has the power to hold you in, shaping your body, so it looks good under close-fitting clothing.

It’s also known as stretch mesh and power net, this mesh fabric has an amazing recovery. The nylon fiber content ensures it can return to its original shape and size once you’ve finished wearing your sports bra or shapewear.

Metal Mesh

This one can be a bit confusing. Metal mesh can refer to the type of netting you use in screen doors and flyscreens, but it can also refer to metallic effect mesh. The latter is the glittery mesh adding sparkle and pizazz to your party frocks.

Although mesh made from metal will make perfect chain mail for a history bounding knight or a medieval cosplay outfit, you might find it’s a little dull and inflexible for a ballet tutu. Be careful when purchasing this mesh. Make sure you read any descriptions carefully to get the right one for your project.

Polyester Mesh

Popular in screen printing, polyester mesh gives accuracy and precision to industrial and commercial applications. Its durability and water-repelling properties make it a perfect mesh for outdoor equipment and apparel.

You’ll find this mesh in the stretchy mesh pockets on backpacks. As well as safety netting, temporary plastic fencing, and netting designed to protect produce from bugs.

Nylon Mesh

When mixed with spandex, nylon mesh makes an incredibly stretchy power mesh. It’s the nylon and spandex blend that gives power mesh its unbeatable recovery. On its own, nylon mesh can be used in beekeeping equipment and screens in tents.

Used anywhere you need durability and strength; nylon mesh is resistant to bending and stretching and has greater elasticity than polyester mesh. Smoother and with a softer feel, nylon mesh is better at keeping you cool due to its water-absorbing qualities.