30×200 cm 304 Stainless Steel Filter Screen Mesh, 30-mesh 0.7 mm Opening

Description

If you want a tough, tidy way to keep pests and debris out while letting air and water pass, the 30×200 cm 304 Stainless Steel Filter Screen Mesh, 30-mesh 0.7 mm Opening hits that sweet spot. Grade 304 stainless is known for solid corrosion resistance in everyday outdoor and food-adjacent use, so it stands up to rain, soil splash, and routine cleaning without rusting easily.

“30 mesh” means 30 wires per inch, which gives a fine opening suited for filtering seeds, compost fines, and keeping small critters out of vents. Typical 30-mesh openings fall in the roughly half-millimeter range depending on wire thickness, and many retail rolls specify a 0.7 mm aperture like this one. That pairing balances flow with control, so you trap the junk you don’t want and let the good stuff through.

Key Customer Benefits

• Real corrosion resistance that holds up outdoors and around water. Grade 304 stainless forms a protective chromium oxide film that resists rusting in everyday exposure, which is why it is common in food service and wet environments. It cleans up easily after garden or workshop use, so you are not throwing out a rusty screen after one season.
• Stronger pest exclusion at problem-prone openings. For keeping rodents out, public-health guidance typically calls for wire cloth with openings no larger than one quarter inch on vents and crawl spaces. This mesh is far finer than that, so it works well as a secondary inner layer at small gaps, weep holes, and utility penetrations where mice love to test their luck. Pair it with proper sealing and you shut down the classic dime and quarter sized entry routes that mice and rats use.
• Fine filtration for garden and shop jobs. Thirty-mesh stainless cloth sits in the “fine” range used for seed cleaning and screening out compost fines, chaff, and grit. Seed-saving sets often span 4 up to 70 mesh, and this 30-mesh slot fits neatly in the middle when you want more control than a quarter-inch soil sifter without jumping all the way to ultra-fine.
• Better gnat and no-see-um control than standard window screen. Typical house screen is around 18×16, while specialty insect screen for tiny gnats is about 20×20 and is explicitly chosen to block smaller pests. A 30-mesh stainless screen is even tighter, so it is useful on vents and enclosures where small flying insects squeeze through ordinary screen. Expect a tradeoff in airflow that comes with any tighter weave.
• DIY friendly and adaptable. You can cut stainless wire cloth to size and form it into small guards, vent inserts, drain baskets, and sieves. Industrial suppliers stock cut-to-size options, so replacing a torn patch or building a custom filter plate is straightforward for a careful do-it-yourselfer.
• Specs align with what sellers list for this exact class of mesh. Retail listings for 30-mesh 304 stainless steel wire cloth commonly show a 0.7 millimeter opening with a fine wire diameter, while other technical sheets list a 30-mesh aperture closer to 0.57 millimeter when thicker wire is used. Either way, you are in the same fine-screen family. That makes it easy to match replacements and design projects around a known, repeatable opening size.

Product Description

What this mesh actually is

This is a 30×200 cm sheet of 30-mesh woven wire cloth made from 304 stainless steel. Woven wire cloth is produced on looms that interlace long runs of wire over and under each other to create a stable, uniform grid. In a “plain weave,” which is common at this mesh count, each wire alternates over one and under one neighbor, giving consistent openings that are easy to predict and work with for filtration and screening.

How the 30-mesh opening works

“30-mesh” means the cloth has 30 openings per linear inch in both directions. The actual opening size depends on wire diameter, which is why you will see small variations across suppliers. For example, one stocked 30-mesh 304 cloth lists an opening around 0.021 inch, which is a bit more than 0.5 millimeter. Other technical listings for 30-mesh 304 show openings around 0.57 millimeter when the wire is slightly thinner. Your sheet is specified at 0.7 millimeter, which still sits in the same fine-screen family and is chosen to balance flow with catch rate for compost fines, seed cleaning, and pest-exclusion inserts.

Why 304 stainless matters for durability and hygiene

Grade 304 stainless steel is popular because it naturally forms a thin, self-repairing chromium oxide film when exposed to oxygen. That passive layer is what gives everyday corrosion resistance in rain, rinsing, and many food-adjacent applications, and it is why 304 screens can be cleaned and reused without flaking rust. If you are installing a screen in a damp crawlspace vent or using it as a wet sieve, that passive film is doing quiet, constant work in the background.

What makes this sheet effective and different for pest control

Rodent exclusion programs focus on sealing any hole about one quarter inch or larger. A 30-mesh insert is much tighter than that, so it shines as a secondary interior layer on vent caps, weep holes, and utility penetrations after you first close the big gaps. For flying pests, most window screens are 18×16 at the coarse end and 20×20 for gnats. Thirty-mesh stainless is finer still, which helps when you are screening problem vents where tiny midges or fungus gnats sneak through standard screen. Expect a modest airflow tradeoff that comes with any tighter weave, so use it where control is more important than maximum breeze.

Where it fits best

Use this sheet when you need fine control: garden sieves that keep stones and big compost fibers out of seed trays, vent guards where smaller insects are the nuisance, and small baskets or pre-filters that you can rinse and reuse. Because it is stainless, you can form it, screw it down, then scrub it back to bright without sacrificing service life. For large openings, pair it with a sturdier hardware cloth on the outside, then place this 30-mesh layer inside for a tidy, layered defense that respects airflow and maintenance access.

Product Specifications

Spec	Value
Sheet size	30 cm x 200 cm
Material	AISI 304 stainless steel, woven, plain weave
Mesh count	30 x 30 per inch
Aperture (opening)	0.7 mm for this listing; typical industry listings show about 0.54 mm to 0.51 mm
Wire diameter	Commonly 0.012 in (0.3048 mm) for 30-mesh 304
Open area	Often around 40 percent for the 0.012 in wire / 0.54 mm opening variant
Formability and cut	Cuts with aviation snips or a cutoff wheel; edges are sharp, so wear gloves and eye protection
Corrosion behavior	Good corrosion resistance in rain and routine rinsing because of the chromium-oxide passive film that forms on 304
Typical uses in pest control and garden work	Fine vent inserts, weep-hole guards, seed and compost screening, pre-filters, insect-tight enclosures
Heat and cleaning	Handles hot water and common household cleaners; rinse and dry after use
Certifications	Not a pesticide or chemical treatment. Any food-contact suitability depends on the specific supplier documentation for that batch

 

How to Use and Installation Guide

Before you start, plan the job

Decide where this 30-mesh 304 stainless steel filter screen will live: vent guard, weep-hole insert, garden sieve, or a small filter basket. If the target is rodent control, first seal any opening about one quarter inch or larger, then add fine mesh as the inner layer on problem vents and penetrations. The CDC’s exclusion guidance stresses sealing holes and using rodent-proof materials as a foundation, which dramatically reduces traffic before you fine-tune with mesh.

There is one place you should not install fine mesh: an active clothes dryer exhaust. The International Residential Code requires a backdraft damper and specifically says screens shall not be installed at the duct termination. Screens can trap lint and restrict flow, so keep mesh off the outlet and focus on surrounding gaps instead.

Tools and materials I reach for on real jobs

For most home projects, you will get clean results with aviation snips or heavy tin snips for straight cuts, a small angle grinder with a thin cutoff wheel for thick seams or curves, and a fine file to soften sharp ends. Supporting the mesh on a firm surface and cutting slowly helps reduce fray. Wear gloves and eye protection because cut stainless edges are razor sharp.

Fasteners depend on the surface: stainless screws with fender washers hold mesh evenly on wood or masonry plugs, while pop rivets work on metal housings. If you are fastening stainless to aluminum trim or a light-gauge louver, consider a non-metallic barrier such as nylon washers or a bead of exterior sealant between the metals to limit galvanic corrosion, especially in damp locations.

Step-by-step: measure, cut, finish, and fit

1) Measure and template
Hold cardboard over the opening, trace the outline, and mark any screws or obstructions. Transfer that trace to the mesh with a permanent marker. Supporting the work on plywood or a sacrificial board keeps cuts clean and fingers safe.

2) Cut the mesh
For this 30-mesh 304 cloth, start with snips for straight runs. For curves or tight corners, a rotary tool or small angle grinder can help; work slowly and let the tool do the cutting.

3) Dress the edges
Lightly file the cut edge to knock down burrs and prevent snags. If children or pets may touch the installation, hem the edge by folding a narrow lip with pliers, or cover it with aluminum edge trim or a U-channel.

4) Mount with even tension
Position the mesh, then fix the center first and work outward to avoid ripples. Use stainless pan-head screws with large washers every 3 to 4 inches around the perimeter for vent guards, or rivets on metal housings. If you are attaching to aluminum components outdoors, add nylon washers or a thin gasket to limit dissimilar-metal contact.

Use Cases

Rodent and small-insect vent guard: After sealing any quarter-inch and larger gaps, cut a panel that covers the vent opening with at least a one inch overlap. Fasten behind a louver or hood so the mesh is protected from impacts and is easy to clean in place. Compared with typical 18×16 window screen, a 30-mesh insert blocks smaller gnats at problem vents, similar in intent to specialty 20×20 “no-see-um” screen, though with a tighter weave and some airflow tradeoff. Plan for more frequent dust cleaning on very tight meshes.

Weep-hole and small opening inserts: Cut narrow strips and form gentle tabs so the mesh sits flush without mortar. Commercial weep and vent barriers often use fine stainless mesh in small frames for this exact job, which shows the concept works when sized correctly. Do not block designed drainage; the goal is to deter insects while preserving water egress and airflow.

Garden sieve or compost-finishing screen: Build a simple wooden frame, staple the mesh to the underside, and add a top batten to clamp the edge. Thirty mesh sits in the fine range for separating compost fines for seed starting. Support the mesh well, since fine cloth flexes more than coarse hardware cloth. Rinse clean after use and dry before storage to keep the surface bright.

Cleaning, safety, and long-term care

For routine cleanup, use warm water and mild detergent, then rinse and dry. The British Stainless Steel Association notes that soap or mild detergent with warm water is usually adequate. Avoid household bleach, acid brick cleaners, and other chloride-rich products that can pit stainless over time. Normal washing and drying preserve the corrosion-resistant film.

If fabrication grime or surface contamination ever dulls the finish, specialized stainless cleaners or passivation steps can restore corrosion resistance. The chromium-rich oxide film self-forms in air and proper cleaning helps that film remain protective. For most home uses you will not need chemical passivation, just clean, rinse, and dry.

Performance Checks after Installation

Open and close louvers, confirm dampers move freely, and verify that airflow from fans or natural ventilation is still adequate. If you added mesh to a passive vent to deter gnats, the 30-mesh weave will reduce airflow compared with common 18×16 screen, so you may need a larger free area or a second vent for the same flow. That size-to-flow tradeoff is why building codes prohibit screens at dryer terminations, and it is a useful reminder to balance filtration with free area everywhere else.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Will 30-mesh stainless stop gnats or just houseflies?

Short answer: it helps with very small flyers. Typical “no-see-um” insect screen is a 20×20 weave marketed to block gnats and sand flies while still breathing. A 30-mesh stainless cloth is even finer. One common 30-mesh spec lists an opening around 0.54 millimeter, which is tighter than many fiberglass patio screens, so it is a smart inner layer on problem vents where gnats slip through regular screen. Expect some airflow tradeoff with any tighter weave.

2) Can I put this mesh across a clothes-dryer exhaust?

No, do not screen a dryer termination. The International Residential Code requires a backdraft damper and says screens shall not be installed at the duct termination because they catch lint and restrict flow. Use a code-listed hood and seal around it instead of screening the outlet.

3) Is 304 stainless “rust-proof,” or will it stain outside?

304 is corrosion resistant, not magic. It forms a thin chromium-oxide film that protects it in ordinary rain and rinsing, which is why 304 is common for screens and food-adjacent gear. It can still pit or tea-stain if you leave chloride cleaners or bleach on it. Routine washing with mild soap and water, then drying, keeps the passive film happy.

4) What is the real opening size for 30-mesh, and why do numbers vary online?

“30 mesh” means 30 openings per inch in each direction. The aperture changes with wire diameter, so suppliers publish slightly different openings. A representative 304 stainless 30-mesh lists 0.012 inch wire and about 0.021 inch opening which is roughly 0.54 millimeter, with about 40 percent open area. That is normal for this class of cloth.

5) Is 30-mesh good for rodent control, or is it overkill?

Use it as a secondary layer. Public-health exclusion manuals state that mice squeeze through about one quarter-inch holes and rats through about one half-inch. First, seal or screen openings at those sizes with sturdy materials. Then add 30-mesh stainless behind louvers or over tiny vents where insects and fine debris get through. That layered approach aligns with CDC and government exclusion guidance.

6) How should I clean stainless mesh after garden or vent work?

Rinse with warm water and mild detergent, then dry. Industry groups advise avoiding hypochlorite bleach and hydrochloric-acid products, since chloride solutions can pit stainless. For household care, the stainless associations recommend soapy water, soft cloths, and chloride-free glass sprays for polished surfaces.

7) I am fastening stainless mesh to an aluminum louver. Will that cause corrosion?

It can if water sits between dissimilar metals. This is galvanic corrosion. The stainless and aluminum can live together safely if you break the electrical path and keep moisture down. Add nylon or plastic washers, a non-conductive gasket or coating, and seal the joint.

8) What tools cut 30-mesh cleanly without fraying?

For straight cuts, many DIYers and metalworkers report good results with tin or aviation snips on a firm backing. For curves or circles, a cutoff wheel or band-saw with a very fine tooth can help, followed by filing or hemming the edge to knock down burrs. Slow cuts, protect hands, and dress the edge so it does not snag later.

9) Will 30-mesh noticeably reduce airflow through a passive vent?

Yes, compared with common 18×16 window screen. Even manufacturers of tighter 20×20 “no-see-um” mesh note that the weave is denser, although it still ventilates. A 30-mesh is finer than 20×20, so plan for reduced free area or use a larger vent if airflow is critical.

10) Is this material food-safe by default?

304 stainless wire cloth is widely sold for industrial and lab filtering, and it is the grade commonly used around food. That said, “food-safe” claims depend on supplier documentation for a given batch and how you fabricate and clean it. If food contact is a requirement, ask the seller for certificates of conformance and keep to the cleaning guidance above.

11) Can I use 30-mesh in weep holes without blocking drainage?

Yes, but size and placement matter. Exclusion manuals advise keeping drainage paths open while deterring pests. Cut small inserts that sit flush and do not fill the cavity, or choose purpose-made weep-barrier products that use fine stainless in framed inserts. The goal is to deter insects and debris while preserving water egress.

Conclusion

If you want a simple, durable way to keep the bad stuff out and let the good stuff through, this 30×200 cm 304 stainless steel filter screen mesh, 30-mesh with a 0.7 millimeter opening, is the kind of “set it and forget it” upgrade that pays you back every week. Grade 304 survives rain, rinsing, and everyday grime because stainless forms a thin protective oxide film that resists corrosion. Keep it clean with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry, and it will stay bright for seasons. Skip harsh chloride cleaners, since bleach and acid brick cleaners can damage stainless over time.

From a pest-control standpoint, mesh like this shines when you use it smartly. First, seal the obvious entry routes that are around a quarter inch and larger. Then add this fine 30-mesh stainless wire cloth behind louvers, over small vents, or inside weep guards to shut down gnats and other tiny intruders that breeze through regular 18×16 screen. If you need extra insect control, remember that “no-see-um” style screens use a tighter weave than standard patio meshes. Your 30-mesh stainless is in that same spirit while bringing metal toughness and easy cleaning.