Retractable Screen Doors - Any Suggestions?

[Colin Len]

Specifically I'm talking about entry doors, not garage doors. We want to ditch the hideous metal security door on our front door with a retractable screen door (may also put one on the man door of the garage as well).

Does anyone have a brand they've had luck with? I keep hearing mixed reviews about retractable screens and most of the ones people I know have are no long available (old offerings from Costco or Home Depot). The DIY install ones I'm seeing are pretty ugly or don't seem like they'd fit my door and the others I'm seeing are all ones you need to have a local company install - which I'm open to if that's the only option but really hoping to save money and do it myself.

Because every thread is better with pics... here's the front door. The house has since been painted a nice grey color. We want to paint the front door a bright color to make it pop and add some curb appeal to the home but don't want an ugly screen door detracting from that.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I have a security screen door like the one below. Just as tough to get through like a regular ugly security door, but this looks much better. They aren't cheap and cost me $1200 for a similar door installed, but mine looks nice in a bronze toned finish and gives great piece of mind. Watch a few a videos on YouTube under California Security Screens to show you how strong they are.

Also, they usually have a display at the LA County and Orange County fairs if you want to see one in person. My neighbor liked my door but hated the price. He went through 3 or 4 of the retractable screen doors before he decided to save up to buy a door like ours.

 

[Colin Len]

^Thanks. I actually stumbled on those when I was searching this forum earlier. They seem nice but WAY over budget and the security/durability isn't really a selling point for me. If I get it for free with everything else I want, great. But I'm not going to buy based on that and it doesn't add value IMO.

Most of the DIY install screens I've seen run in the $80-$200 range and I'm thinking the professionally installed ones are $400-600. The pro install is also more than I'd like to spend but I'll consider it if there're no other options.

 

[rharman]

We bought a nice vertical retracting screen. They also make the side mounts. Got it from lowes.com

I'll see if I can post the info tomorrow evening. My wife did all the research. I was quite impressed with the product.

 

[csp]

Larson, made in USA. Easy peasy install as well.

 

[fattogatto]

Installed a Phantom Screen through either Lowes or Home Depot 10 years ago. Still works perfectly.

 

[gewf631]

Researched extensively, then installed one that we got from either Menards or Home Depot, 10+ years ago. Back door, leading to patio, then to our 18x40' pool, so gets a lot of use. It's basically a window shade, turned sideways, with guide runners on the top and bottom. At the time, this seemed the best option.

Was concerned with the bottom runner, since the only way to install-it meant it was open to foot traffic. Ended-up reinforcing with a piece of angle iron. It eventually got bent (more of a pinch, than actually bend), so I've un-bent several times (using sheet metal Vice Grips).

Normal wear was also an issue (the screen slides through those tracks, with that short "furry fingered" material), so the coating has worn on that part of the screen in contact with that material.

Early-on, kids would release and let 'er fly, retracting the screen very quickly. Sometimes, it fell out of the track. Over time, the spring wasn't as strong, so required more guidance to retract.

I've also had people not understand how to use-it, or walk-into the closed screen.

Probably worked fine, for maybe a year and a half. Now, it's mostly decorative, and only gets used maybe once or twice a season.

Meanwhile, we have one of those full-screen "forever" doors in front, and it' has been used several times a day for even longer. We had to replace the screen once (son running with a toy plane, put a slit into it), but it only cost a few bucks and an hour of time to replace. It still works like the day it was installed.

In my opinion, avoid these if at all possible. You've got a swinging door now, just replace it with something a little prettier - you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[rharman]

We bought a nice vertical retracting screen. They also make the side mounts. Got it from lowes.com

I'll see if I can post the info tomorrow evening. My wife did all the research. I was quite impressed with the product.

Yep, Larson.