Screen Mesh Recommendation Guide
Choose the right DeSite mesh for topsoil, gravel, compost, mulch, farm filling and aggregate. Charts below are tailored for Pro Screen Australia operators — imperial openings (industry standard) with approximate metric context where helpful.
Immediate farm and civil offer: 100 mm first, then 50 mm or 3 inch (~75 mm) filling. Farm gravel and cow races · Farmers · Civil contractors · Static Grizzly · Aggregates
Product grade examples
Visual reference for finished material size — use alongside the charts when choosing mesh.
Base Mesh Charts
Use these square and elongated charts as a starting point. Final product size is typically a little smaller than the mesh opening, depending on material and moisture.
Square Mesh
| Mesh Size | Pattern | Product Size | Approx. Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/32" x 5/32" | Square | 1/16" | ~4 mm mesh → ~1.5 mm product |
| 1/4" x 1/4" | Square | 1/8" | ~6 mm mesh → ~3 mm product |
| 3/8" x 3/8" | Square | 1/4" | ~10 mm mesh → ~6 mm product |
| 1/2" x 1/2" | Square | 3/8" | ~13 mm mesh → ~10 mm product |
| 1" x 1" | Square | 3/4" | ~25 mm mesh → ~19 mm product |
| 2" x 2" | Square | 1-1/2" | ~50 mm mesh → ~38 mm product |
| 3" x 3" | Square | 2" | ~75 mm mesh → ~50 mm product |
| 4" x 4" | Square | 3" | ~100 mm mesh → ~75 mm product |
Elongated Mesh
| Mesh Size | Pattern | Product Size | Approx. Metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8" x 4" | Elongated | 1/4" to 5/16" | ~10 x 100 mm |
| 1/2" x 4" | Elongated | 3/8" to 7/16" | ~13 x 100 mm |
| 3/4" x 4" | Elongated | 1/2" to 9/16" | ~19 x 100 mm |
| 1" x 4" | Elongated | 3/4" to 7/8" | ~25 x 100 mm |
Topsoil and Triple Mix
Topsoil is in demand and profitable. Some customers want a very fine finish; others prefer commercial-grade product at a sharper price point.
Top Dressing Mesh Recommendation
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 1/8 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/16 minus product |
| 1/4 x 1/4 square mesh | 1/8 minus product |
| 1/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/8 minus product |
| 3/8 x 3/8 square mesh | 1/4 minus product |
| 3/8 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/4 minus product |
Fine Topsoil Mesh Recommendation
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 1/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/8 minus product |
| 3/8 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/4 minus product |
| 1/2 x 4" elongated mesh | 3/8 minus product |
Commercial Grade or Triple Mix Topsoil
A blend of topsoil, sand and compost that normally commands a premium price.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 1/2 x 1/2 square mesh | 1/4 minus product |
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/2 minus product |
| 1" x 4" elongated mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 1/2 minus product |
| 2" x 2" square mesh | 1-1/4 minus product |
| 3" x 3" square mesh | 2" minus product |
| 4" x 4" square mesh | 3" minus product |
Compost
Compost can be finished as a top-dressing fertiliser / soil builder, or blended with sand and topsoil to create triple mix.
Compost Mesh Recommendation
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 3/8 x 3/8 square mesh | 1/4 minus product |
| 3/8 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/4 minus product |
| 1/2 x 1/2 square mesh | 3/8 minus product |
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/2 minus product |
| 1" x 4" elongated mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 3/4 minus product |
Wood Mulch
Wood mulch is a light product that moves differently across the deck than soil or aggregate. Run a slightly larger mesh. Many operators screen out fines and mix them into topsoil for slow-release decomposition — a practical way to recycle wood fines.
Wood Mulch Mesh Recommendation
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 1/2 x 1/2 square mesh | 1/4 minus product |
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/2 minus product |
| 1" x 4" elongated mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 1/2 minus product |
| 2" x 2" square mesh | 1-1/4 minus product |
| 3" x 3" square mesh | 2" minus product |
| 4" x 4" square mesh | 3" minus product |
Farm Gravel, Cow Races and Filling
Immediate market offer: 100 mm mesh first to knock off oversize, then a 50 mm or 3 inch (~75 mm) secondary to make filling material. Riverbed stone that has rounded on farm makes stronger cow races than sharp crushed product. Exact 70 mm is not a listed stock square — 50 mm and 3 inch (~75 mm) are the nearest DeSite openings; 70 mm can be special-ordered.
First pass — oversize
Lead with 100 mm / 4″ on a Static Grizzly or Proscreen. Same opening contractors already spec for oversize gravel.
| Mesh Size | Approx. Metric | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 4" x 4" square (grizzly) | ~100 mm mesh → ~75 mm product | Knock off cobbles from farm river gravel |
| 100 mm square (Proscreen) | ~100 mm | Same first pass on a vibratory deck |
Second pass — filling material
Filling for cow races, farm tracks and civil fill. 50 mm and 3 inch (~75 mm) are stock; 70 mm is special-order if the spec is exact.
| Mesh Size | Approx. Metric | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" square | ~50 mm mesh → ~38 mm product | Tighter filling material |
| 3" x 3" square | ~75 mm mesh → ~50 mm product | Nearest stock opening to 70 mm |
| 70 mm square (special order) | ~70 mm | Order if the race or fill spec names 70 mm exactly |
Aggregate Products
Wider square mesh (including 2″, 3″ and 4″ grizzly openings) is commonly sought for durable aggregate separation, road base and recycled materials. Photos show typical finished grades for visual comparison.
Pea Stone
Often used in playgrounds or for decoration. Pea stone usually commands a premium because most aggregate is crushed and too sharp.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 3/8 x 3/8 square mesh | 1/4 minus product |
| 1/2 x 1/2 square mesh | 3/8 minus product |
| 1/2 x 4" elongated mesh | 3/8 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 3/4 minus product |
Decorative Stone
Where outdoor watering is restricted, decorative rock is a manageable and cost-effective landscaping solution.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 5/8 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1-1/4 x 1-1/4 square mesh | 7/8 minus product |
| 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 square mesh | 1-1/8 minus product |
| 2" x 2" square mesh | 1-1/2 minus product |
| 3" x 3" square mesh | 2-1/4 minus product |
| 4" x 4" square mesh | 3-1/4 minus product |
Top Coarse Gravel
Finer road gravel works well for capping roadways.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 5/8 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1-1/4 x 1-1/4 square mesh | 7/8 minus product |
| 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 square mesh | 1-1/8 minus product |
Septic Stone
Many regions still use stone in septic fields for the evaporation process.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 1/2 x 1/2 square mesh | 3/8 minus product |
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 5/8 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1-1/4 x 1-1/4 square mesh | 7/8 minus product |
Base Rock Gravel
Separating smaller gravel makes a more stable road base. Fines can then be spread on top of the base course for a gradeable surface.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 square mesh | 1-1/8 minus product |
| 2" x 2" square mesh | 1-1/2 minus product |
| 3" x 3" square mesh | 2-1/4 minus product |
| 4" x 4" square mesh | 3-1/4 minus product |
Ground Asphalt
Screening recycled asphalt from repaving projects is popular. Fines often go on driveways; larger material suits roads and yards with heavier traffic.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 5/8 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1-1/4 x 1-1/4 square mesh | 7/8 minus product |
| 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 square mesh | 1-1/8 minus product |
| 2" x 2" square mesh | 1-1/2 minus product |
Crushed Concrete
Screened crushed concrete makes excellent base material when building roads.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 5/8 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1-1/4 x 1-1/4 square mesh | 7/8 minus product |
| 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 square mesh | 1-1/8 minus product |
| 2" x 2" square mesh | 1-1/2 minus product |
| 3" x 3" square mesh | 2-1/4 minus product |
| 4" x 4" square mesh | 3-1/4 minus product |
Erosion Control Rock
Erosion control rock stabilises slopes and areas around culverts during heavy rain.
| Mesh Size | Product Size |
|---|---|
| 1/2 x 4" elongated mesh | 3/8 minus product |
| 3/4 x 4" elongated mesh | 1/2 minus product |
| 1" x 4" elongated mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1" x 1" square mesh | 3/4 minus product |
| 1-1/4 x 1-1/4 square mesh | 7/8 minus product |
| 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 square mesh | 1-1/8 minus product |
Need help picking a mesh?
Tell us what you are screening and which machine you run — we will recommend openings that match your target product size. Australia-wide supply — call Rob to view machines in your area.