Why Buy a Retractable Screen Door?

Now you see it, now you don't

A retractable screen door is a modern home necessity. Unlike sliding screen doors of the past, retractable screen doors are present only when you need them. With a retractable screen door at your patio or double French doors, there's no longer any need to sacrifice beauty for convenience.

How retractable screen doors work

The image of a traditional sliding screen door is a familiar one, in part because it's impossible not to see them. Traditional sliding screen doors are always "on." That may be convenient when you're entertaining or using your outdoor grill, but on beautiful summer days or autumn nights, that screen mesh ruins the view both inside and out.

Owning a retractable screen door is like having an on and off switch for your door. When they're in use, retractable screen doors offer all the conveniences of standard screen doors:

fresh air

keep insects and birds outside

keep children and pets inside

But the difference is that when it's time to shut your patio doors, retractable screen doors can disappear, offering you an unobstructed view of your yard and garden or a beautiful evening sky.

Retractable screen doors use housings mounted to the door frame. These housings are low profile and so unobtrusive that you'll hardly notice them. When you're finished using your retractable screen door, just slide it back into its housings and enjoy the view.

Low maintenance

Anyone who's owned a standard sliding screen door is familiar with the annual cleaning and storage routine. Traditional screen doors need to be removed every autumn, cleaned, and put into storage. Then in the spring you pull your screen doors out of storage and set them up again. Not only is that a lot of work, it increases the chance that you'll tear or damage your screens.

Retractable screen doors eliminate that whole process. A retractable screen door can remain safe and secure in its housing during low use months, allowing you to direct additional time and energy to other seasonal maintenance projects around your home.

Locations and styles

A retractable screen door can be set up at your home's front or back door. Retractable screen doors can be used for single or double doors, including patio doors and French doors. There are retractable screen doors sized to fit door heights ranging from 76 inches to 120 inches.

A retractable screen door is also a smart decorative choice, even when it's in use. Retractable screen doors are available in many different colors, including white, green, black, gray, and such subtle colors as almond, beige, sandalwood, or sandstone.

Installation and care

Many retractable screen doors on the market are suitable for do it yourself installation. Some brands also offer telephone installation assistance.

To keep your retractable screen door working smoothly, keep its tracks clean and lubricated. Make sure that the track screws are secure but not too tight. Overtightened screws can twist the screen track and cause sliding problems. Apply a little WD-40 if your retractable screen door is squeaking or unduly noisy.

More information on screen doors