4 Things to Consider When Buying a Retractable Screen Door
If you are interested in purchasing a mesh screen door to cover an exterior door in your home, chances are you’re interested in a retractable screen. Retractable screens are increasingly becoming the most popular type of screen; with the ability to retract into its housing when not in use, these screens offer improvements over traditional screens when it comes to both longevity and style, since when they retract, they are virtually invisible and do not impact the overall design and look of your home.
However, while all retractable screens may seem the same, there is no limit to the amount of variety and diversity different screens may have; depending on the manufacturer, the options and designs available to you can vary greatly. In this blog post, we’ll review some of the key factors to keep in mind when searching for the retractable screen that’s right for you.
1. Purpose & Size of the Screen Door
Perhaps the most important factor to consider when choosing the right retractable screen for you is the purpose or goal you have in mind for the screen. This refers to both the objective you’d like your screen to fulfill as well as the size of the opening you are hoping to cover.
One might be led to believe that a screen’s purpose is always to let in outside air while keeping bugs out — and while admittedly this may be the most common reason one purchases a screen, there are actually a plethora of other purposes as well. For example, you may be looking to keep the sun at bay; if you live in a predominantly sunny area that is prone to dangerously high levels of UV light, you may be looking for a screen that lets sunlight in while minimizing dangerous UV rays. Or, if you have a lot of neighbors, you may simply want a sense of seclusion.
Equally important as the objective is the opening you are trying to cover as well. Depending on the size and shape of the opening you’d like to cover, you’ll need a specific type of screen to get the job done. For example, if the door you have in mind is oversized, you’ll need a larger screen that can cover the wider area it encompasses. Suffice to say, you should keep the objective of the screen as well as the shape of the opening in mind as you peruse the many screen manufacturers available; not every manufacturer is able to cover every type of opening, nor provide a screen that achieves the goal you’d like.
2. Materials & Style
The next factor to consider is the various materials that the screen consists of; specifically, it is important to ensure the screen manufacturer in question uses high-quality, durable materials for every component of the screen — not just the mesh. Generally speaking, retractable screens are composed of four key components: the mesh; the frame, which is typically made of extruded aluminum, and the housing that the mesh retracts into; and the handle, which typically involves a magnet-catch system, but more advanced screens may opt for a latch system instead, which latches the mesh at its end to provide a more secure closure.
To ensure that the screen you’re looking at is made of high-quality materials, you should thoroughly review the screen’s manufacturer to see if they try to use the best materials possible. To this end, we recommend checking if the manufacturer’s screens maintain safety marks by either Underwriters Laboratories (UL 325) or Intertek (ETL Listed Mark). Either of these safety marks are safety standard certifications that can only be achieved by passing rigorous quality and safety inspections. If the screen in question bears either safety mark (or in the case of Phantom Screens, both), you can rest assured that the screen is made of high quality and durable materials.
Beyond sheer quality, style is another important factor to consider as well. While the screen can retract into its housing to disappear when not in use, the frame and housing itself is still visible at all times. This means ensuring that you pick a screen that offers a style that is complementary to the design of your home. We recommend examining the range of colors offered by the screen’s manufacturer, or if your home fits it, see if they offer a wood finish instead. Fortunately, Phantom Screens offers both 10 distinct colors as well as 15 Decoral wood grain finish options to ensure that their screens fit your home no matter what style you’re going for.
3. Installation
As important as the screen itself is to keep in mind when choosing your retractable screen is the installation service offered by the screen supplier. Installing a retractable screen door can be a tricky and complicated process, so we do not recommend attempting to install it yourself. Fortunately, most screen suppliers will offer complimentary professional installation with your purchase (if they don’t, reconsider whether you should purchase from that supplier in particular).
A professional installation service should include both the process of taking measurements of the opening where the screen will be installed as well as the installation of the screen itself. If the supplier is reliable, they will take care to ensure that the screen and its components are specifically cut to the dimensions of your opening to ensure it fits perfectly. We recommend checking local reviews of the supplier to see if previous customers report a smooth measuring and installation process, or if there were some hiccups along the way.
4. Warranty
The final factor to consider when looking for a retractable screen door for your home is the warranty. Retractable screens are designed to last for a long time; after all, the fact that they can retract means they are naturally protected by harsh weather and any debris that might be thrown their way. However, accidents happen — and when they do, you’ll be glad you chose a supplier that offers a warranty that covers your screen.
Phantom Screens’ limited lifetime warranty means you will be covered (literally) for a lifetime!
Most screen suppliers will offer some sort of warranty for your product, however no two warranties are exactly the same. We recommend spending some time looking into the warranties of the screen suppliers in your area and compare their specific details or terms. How long do they last? Which components of the screen are covered exactly? Is installation service for the replacement parts included? After thoroughly cross-examining the details of each warranty, ensure you choose a screen that offers a warranty you are satisfied with. A good screen supplier will stand behind their products; for example, Phantom Screens offers a limited-lifetime warranty that reflects their confidence in the quality of their retractable screens.
In Closing
We hope this blog post has assisted you in your journey to find the best retractable screen for your home. If you keep these four characteristics in mind, we have no doubt you will find a retractable screen that you can depend on.
If you’re currently in the midst of a search for a retractable screen for your home, contact us today for a free estimate for our Phantom Screens! Phantom Screens come in a wide variety of sizes and styles to meet your needs, not to mention they come with complimentary professional installation and an industry-leading limited-lifetime warranty.
