Screen Doors: Tips in Choosing the Right Screen Door

The screen door symbolizes many things to me. I remember my mom popping open the door to let some cool air into our hot kitchen, and then hastily closing it after my dad complained he was being eaten alive by mosquitoes. More than once, I heard the hinges squeak as I banged out to join my friends.

Before you buy your screen door, think about how much traffic will be going through it. Are your kids and their friends going to be continuously banging in and out, or is the dog going to jump on the screen with its sharp paws? If this sounds like your house, you should buy a sturdier screen door, such as wood.

Wooden screen doors with their rich colors, add ambience to any home. Wood screen doors will cost more, but offer more protection against dents and other damage. Hardwoods like oak, aspen, and poplar will give you a sturdier door, but will be more expensive than soft woods like cedar, pine, and fir.

With so many styles to choose from, you can have a lot of fun designing your wooden screen door. If you’re an animal lover, choose solid wooden inserts of bear, elk, moose, or horses, to name a few. Perhaps you prefer a Victorian style, with decorative spandrels and unique carvings. If you prefer no design at all, go with a traditional style.

Many people prefer aluminum screen doors, as they are easily maintained. The components of these doors go through a process known as anodization, where the components have a finish that is baked on to the materials. This prevents rust, pitting, and other types of deterioration that may shorten the life span of the door.

The retractable screen door allows you to prop it open for fresh air, while the closed screen keeps pesky bugs out. It is best installed by a contractor, because the doorway may need to be shaved down for a proper fit, or other adjustments may need to be made. Kids can have a hard time opening and closing these doors, and when the door is closed, it’s hard to see in certain light, and people have tried to walk through it.

Patio screen door offers a convenient path to the swimming pool, or picnic table. The two primary styles in choosing a patio screen door are a hinged or swinging door, or a sliding screen door. Choose a left or right hand operation, whichever you need. Hinged patio screen doors have an elegant look, and are ideal for a kitchen connecting to a patio. Sliding patio screen doors give more space, with a greater view outside. Determine which way you want it to slide, based on the layout of your house.

Security screen door offers protection without compromising on design. Aluminum and steel offer equal protection, but aluminum offers a tighter screen, which keeps pesky bugs out. Have a trained technician install them in case they are hard to fit.

Dog screen doors allow your dog to go in and out at will, so you don’t have to jump out of your chair whenever they scratch at the door. Tight mesh helps prevent tears from sharp paws. A hinged door screen makes the perfect pet screen door. You can let the fresh air in, while knowing your pet is safe.

Portable screen doors have a foldable frame for easy storage, and takes just minutes to install. Line one side of the door jamb with one side of heavy Velcro tape, and then use the other side of the tape to line the screen door. Put the two sides together, and you have an instant screen door.

Manufacturers like Anderson and Larson offer many choices. Match the color of your house, or use unique decorations like satin nickel, bright brass, or oil rubbed bronze. The Anderson website has a design your own door feature, in three easy steps. Pick your frame, glass, and handle design, and all designs are the same low price. Anderson screen doors and Larson screen doors will give you many years of pleasure.

Picking the right screen door or go for custom screen doors to suit your needs doesn’t have to be a boring experience. With so many styles to choose from, it's fun to mix and match colors and designs, with the assurance of knowing you have a quality product that can last a lifetime.