When comparing hinged screen doors versus retractable screen doors, there are some key differences. Hinged screen doors are a screen system that are installed on your door and cover the whole door, even when not in use. The hinged screen door can be opened the same as a standard door and is made with mesh that will keep insects out and let fresh air flow through your home.
Retractable screen doors on the other hand are a modern screen system that are installed on the side of your door and only retract across your doorway when you want to use it, and then it will retract back into its housing when you’re done using the screen. Retractable screen doors are a highly customizable product that can be installed on a wide range of applications, including standard doors, French doors, double doors, patio sliding doors, and more.
What Are Hinged Screen Doors?
Hinged screen doors are traditional swinging doors mounted on hinges and installed outside your entry door, made with mesh that keeps bugs out and allows air to flow through. The frame of hinged screen doors is typically aluminum or steel, and the mesh is fiberglass. Depending on the model, you can have a few handle options to choose from for operation. Hinged screen doors offer great insect protection, but the downside is they are permanently attached to your entry door, which some may consider an eye sore.
Common Use Cases
Hinged screen doors are a versatile screen system that can be installed on a wide range of applications. Hinged screen doors can be a good insect protection solution for residential and light commercial applications. Here are some of the common use cases for hinged screen doors:
Front Doors
Installing a hinged screen door on your front door will provide adequate insect protection for your home while also naturally cooling it by allowing air to circulate through. The hinged screen door will act as a barrier between the inside of your home and the outside when you open your door.
Back Doors
Installing a hinged screen door on your back doors will help air circulate your kitchen and living area while protecting the space from insects and bugs. Or if you’re out doing yard work or enjoying your backyard, you can open the back doors and have the screen keeping bugs out and naturally cooling your home.
Side Entrances
Hinged screen doors can be a solid choice for side entrances to allow fresh air into your home while keeping insects outside. Hinged screen doors are durable and will provide decent security for your home.
What Are Retractable Screen Doors?
Retractable screen doors are a modern screen system that is mounted to the side of the door or opening you install them on. Retractable screens are discreet as they retract in and out of their housing depending on use. Retractable screens come in a variety of colors that will match perfectly with your home, and have handle operation options that you can choose from. Retractable screen doors offer insect protection while still allowing for fresh air to circulate throughout your home.
Common Use Cases
Retractable screens are a modern screen system that will help naturally cool your home while keeping bugs and pests outside. Retractable screens can be installed on a wide range of applications for residential and commercial spaces. Here are some of the common use cases for retractable screen doors:
Modern Homes
Retractable screens are a modern screening solution that will keep bugs and pests out of your home while allowing fresh air inside. Retractable screens come in various models depending on the style of your home and the application on which you are installing the screens on. Retractable screens are easy for your whole family to use, and don’t take away from the existing aesthetic of your home as they blend in seamlessly.
Patio Doors
Retractable screens for your patio doors will add functionality to your home that will keep you and your house guests happy. Retractable screens allow you to open up your home and let the fresh air inside, without the risk of bugs and insects getting inside. The screen system would mount to the left or right side of your patio doors and can easily retract in and out of the housing depending on the use case. Retractable screens come in a variety of colors to choose from that will match the existing aesthetic of your home perfectly.
Dutch Doors
Retractable screens installed on Dutch doors are a perfect match. The screens on your Dutch doors will allow you to let fresh air inside your home, while keeping bugs and pests outside. Retractable screens also offer animal protection features so your furry friends can’t escape your home or claw through the mesh. Retractable screens easily blend in with your home and won’t take away from the aesthetic that you’ve designed.
Where Aesthetics & Space-Saving Are A Priority
The added benefit of retractable screen doors compared to other screen solutions is that they’re discreet and will blend seamlessly in with your home. The screen mesh is only across your doorway or opening when you want to use the screens, which saves space in your home and doesn’t take away from the aesthetic. Retractable screen doors come in every color imaginable so you don’t have to worry about matching it with the interior or exterior color of your home.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Hinged vs. Retractable Screen Doors
Comparing hinged screen doors versus retractable screen doors side-by-side is a great way to determine which product will be best for you and your home’s needs. Each product has their own specific features and functionality that makes them unique. Keep reading below to learn about the key differences between hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors.
Design
The design of a hinged screen door is typically a full, rigid metal frame that’s mounted to the door frame and covers the entire door. The design for a retractable screen door is a housing unit that mounts to the left or right side of your doorway, and the mesh retracts in and out of the housing when you want to use the screen. The added benefit of retractable screens compared to hinged screen doors is that the screen isn’t permanently across your doorway, only when you want to use the screen and open up your home.
Operation
The operation of a hinged screen door is that it swings open and closes on hinges like a standard door, whereas a retractable screen door slides in and out of its housing. The hinged screen door has a fixed presence that means you must open it every time you open your door, whereas a retractable screen door only needs to be opened when you want to use the screen, and then it retracts back into the housing when you’re done using it. Both hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors will operate in a way to allow the same amount of air flow into your home.
Aesthetic Appeal
The aesthetic appeal of hinged screen doors compared to retractable screen doors has a few very key differences that you need to keep in mind. The biggest and most glaring difference is that hinged screen doors are installed to cover your entire doorway, and you have to open the hinged screen every time you want to open your door. A retractable screen door mounts to the side of the doorway and easily blends in with your home. The retractable screen door easily retracts in and out of the housing when you want to use it and doesn’t permanently cover your door.
Space Efficiency
In terms of space efficiency, retractable screen doors and hinged screen doors have a few key differences. Hinged screen doors are permanently installed across your doorway and are a heavy-duty duty durable screen product that takes up a good amount of space on your door. Retractable screen doors on the other hand, are a sleek and modern screen product that are installed on the side of your doorway and only open across your door when you want to use the screens. When you are done with the screen you simply retract the screen back into the housing out of sight. This saves a lot of space in your home and will ensure that the existing aesthetic is maintained.
Airflow and Visibility
Both hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors will offer similar airflow and visibility functionality for your home. The mesh that is installed in hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors are typically both insect mesh which allow for adequate airflow, and won’t restrict much of your visibility. Depending on the type or brand, you may have the option to use a thicker mesh in your hinged screen door or retractable screen door.
Durability
Hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors are both a durable home improvement product that offer many benefits to your home. Hinged screen doors are more durable than retractable screens as they’re made with heavy duty materials that are built to last. Retractable screens are also durable, but the main functionality for them is to let fresh air into your home while keeping insects out.
Customization Options
Hinged screen doors have a few customization options, but not as many as retractable screen doors. For hinged screen doors, you may be able to choose the color of the frame and the type of mesh that is installed. For retractable screen doors, you can choose the color, mesh, handle option, mounting type, and other customization options to make sure it’s the perfect screen solution for your needs.
Ease of Use
Hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors are both easy to use, and will allow your family members whether they’re young or older to operate them. Hinged screen doors are a bit harder to use as they’re a heavier product and you need to make sure that the hinge is locked when you open it so it doesn’t swing back at you. Retractable screen doors are a very simple product to operate and can also be installed with the PivotPro handle which makes opening and closing the screen system seamless.
Pet-Friendly
Both hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors can be solid, pet-friendly options for your home. Most hinged screen doors are made using standard insect mesh which can be torn by your furry friends. Retractable screen doors can be made with pet mesh which is a vinyl coated polyester mesh that is scratch and tear resistant – meaning retractable screens are the more pet friendly screen door option for your home and screening needs.
Price Range
The price range for hinged screen doors compared to retractable screen doors can vary depending on model and quality. Typically, hinged screen doors are a less expensive option than retractable screen doors. To get an exact price for the installation of a retractable screen door, please contact your local retractable screen specialist.
Pros and Cons of Hinged Screen Doors
Hinged screen doors come with pros and cons, just like any home improvement product. Overall, hinged screen doors are a good screening solution for homeowners who want to let fresh air into their home while keeping bugs outside. The biggest downside of hinged screen doors is that they are permanently installed over your doorway, which takes away from the aesthetic and requires you to open the hinged screen each time you open your door. Hinged screen doors are more affordable than retractable screen doors, so they can be a good solution if you’re on a budget. Hinged screen doors can also be more durable than retractable screens due to design, and may last longer on your home.
Pros and Cons of Retractable Screen Doors
Retractable screen doors also have pros and cons, which you should understand before you make a decision on which product you want to install on your home. The biggest benefit of retractable screens is that they blend in seamlessly with your home, and the screen only covers your doorway when you want to use it. When you are done using the screens, you can simply retract the screen back into the housing out of sight. Retractable screens come in a variety of different colors to choose from, and are also offered in multiple handle operation options that you can choose from. Retractable screens are great for letting fresh air into your home while keeping bugs out, but they lack in security features as it would be easy for an intruder to cut or push through the screen door. We recommend that you consult with your local Mirage retractable screen specialist so they can explain all the features and benefits of having retractable screens installed in your home.
Which One is Right for You?
Choosing between retractable screen doors and hinged screen doors depends on multiple factors such as home layout, lifestyle needs, and design preferences. Even though both products solve a similar issue, they come with their pros and cons. Retractable screen doors are the best option if you want a modern, sleek, and discreet screen solution for your home. Hinged screen doors would be the better option if you have a more traditional style home or live in an area that would require you to have a more durable product installed. We would recommend you choose a retractable screen door over a traditional hinged screen door due to aesthetic and operational reasons.
Choose Hinged Screen Doors if:
- You want something durable and budget-friendly
- Your door gets rough usage (kids, pets)
- You prefer traditional, straightforward solutions
Choose Retractable Screen Doors if:
- You value aesthetics and curb appeal
- Your entryway is limited in space
- You want a seamless indoor-outdoor feel
- You use the door frequently for ventilation
Final Thoughts
Hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors both have their benefits and drawbacks, and they provide a similar solution – to let fresh air into your home while keeping the bugs out. The information in this article outlines the pros and cons of hinged screen doors and retractable screen doors, so you can make the best decision possible when choosing which screen product you install on your home. We believe that retractable screen doors are a far superior product for your home than hinged screen doors, and we recommend that you find your local Mirage retractable screen specialist through our dealer locator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Retractable screen doors can be installed on most types of doors, but there are some types of doors that can’t have a screen installed on. Same for hinged screen doors, they can be installed on most types of doors, but not all. We recommend that you consult with your local contractor or Mirage retractable screen specialist to determine if a screen door can be installed on your door.
When it comes to durability, hinged screen doors typically outlast retractable screen doors as they’re made with heavy duty material, and they have less moving parts. Retractable screen doors can last around 10 years, while hinge screen doors can last up to 20 years.
Yes, retractable screens are very safe for kids and pets. We offer our retractable screen doors with pet mesh that is a polyester coated mesh and will prevent your animals from scratching or clawing through the screen mesh. For ease of kids use, we recommend that you have our PivotPro handle installed on your retractable screen door as it will make it easy for your children to operate.
Yes, hinged screen doors provide good insect protection and will allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home. As long as the hinged screen door is installed properly and fits well with your door, it will provide insect protection as intended.
Yes, retractable screens can be installed on French or double door systems. For a French or double door application, it would be two retractable screen units that are installed on each side that would meet in the middle. One of the retractable screens would have slide pins installed on the pull bar to pin it shut, so you only have to open one screen unit when going in and out of your home.
Retractable screen doors will increase the resale value of your home more than hinged screen doors. Retractable screens are a modern screening solution that come in a variety of models and can be installed on a wide range of applications.
