FWIW that applies to a lot of your 'codes'. Obviously we have regulations too, but it's bizarre (from an outsider perspective) how much it comes up in US television, or online, and (and in part it seems due to) the extent of it.
Regarding light - leaving aside however much it blocks light for illumination purposes, what about seeing out? I want to look out of the window, not look at a mesh all but completely obscuring the view.
I have a mesh missing on one of my windows. For over a year after moving into this house I literally couldn't remember which one without looking up close. It's just that unobtrusive.
The mesh material is extremely thin. As long as you're focusing past it, you don't see the mesh itself. Just maybe the color of it, which is why black mesh is a popular color.
Regarding light - leaving aside however much it blocks light for illumination purposes, what about seeing out? I want to look out of the window, not look at a mesh all but completely obscuring the view.