5 Best Types of Sliding Screen Doors For 2025

Best Sliding Screen Door

When it comes to selecting the best sliding screen doors for you and your home you have to determine the type of opening you currently have. From there you can decide on the best fit for you. There are a variety of sliding screen door applications and below we will explain what the differences are.

What are Sliding Screen Doors?

Sliding screen doors slide across a track and are mounted to the side of the doorway. The other word for sliding screen doors are retractable screen doors. They both slide across a track and live in a housing on the side of your doorway.

Best Types of Sliding Screen Doors For 2025

Retractable Sliding Screen Doors

Retractable sliding screen doors usually pair with sliding doors. They are mounted to the outside of the home’s doorway.

They are an excellent solution for homeowners seeking functionality and aesthetics. These screens can disappear into a housing or side frame when not in use, preserving the view and ensuring the door remains unobstructed.

Key Features:

  • Custom Fit: Designed to fit almost any door size, including single, double, and sliding patio doors.
  • Discreet Design: Rolls into a sleek housing for a clean, unobtrusive look.
  • Durable Materials: Built to withstand daily use and varying weather conditions, with UV-resistant mesh.
  • Easy Operation: Smooth sliding action, often with a soft-close feature for added convenience.
  • Bug Protection: Keeps insects out while letting fresh air in.

Applications:

  • Ideal for patios, decks, and porches.
  • Perfect for homes with limited door clearance or modern design aesthetics.

Double Sliding Screen Doors

Double sliding screen doors are a great solution for adding screens to large patio doors, French doors, and other large door openings. A double sliding screen door consists of two sliding screen door panels that move independently in a single frame, which allows access from either side. Below are some key features of double sliding screen doors:

Key features:

  • Two sliding screen panels that can be operated to move toward or away from each other.
  • Double sliding screen door screens overlap in the middle when closed to provide full coverage of the outside elements
  • Glides along a track system made of aluminum for ease of operation and longevity.
  • Best applied on wide doorways such as French doors, bi-folding doors, and large patio doors.
  • Often paired with sliding glass doors or double-door setups.

Bi-fold Sliding Screen Doors

Bi-fold sliding screen doors are an elegant solution for large openings, offering both style and practicality. They are designed to cover large spaces, such as patios and wide doorways while remaining sleek and functional. Here’s what you should know:

Key Features:

  • Customizable Width: Covers openings up to several feet wide, ideal for large doorways or wall-to-wall applications.
  • Durable Construction: Often built with sturdy aluminum frames and high-quality mesh for longevity.
  • Smooth Operation: Tracks and rollers ensure effortless folding and sliding.
  • Discrete: Screen slides into a housing to stay out of the way.

Advantages:

  • Unobstructed Views: When opened, the panels stack neatly, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • Insect Protection: Keeps bugs out while allowing fresh air and natural light in.
  • Modern Aesthetic: Perfect for contemporary homes and commercial settings.
  • Versatility: Suitable for large patios, bi-fold doors, or any wide entrance.

French Sliding Screen Doors

French sliding screen doors are two-panel systems that move on tracks, allowing each panel to slide independently or meet together. They’re tailored to fit the width and height of French doors, maintaining an elegant look while offering practicality.

Advantages:

  • Seamless Look: Enhances the aesthetics of French doors without bulky add-ons.
  • Space-Saving: Sliding mechanism eliminates the need for door swing clearance.
  • Convenience: Easy operation and access for high-traffic areas.
  • Versatility: Suitable for residential and commercial applications.

Magnetic Sliding Screen Doors

Magnetic sliding screen doors are a modern and convenient option for homeowners who want easy access, insect protection, and fresh air. They use magnetic closures to simplify operation, making them a popular choice for high-traffic areas. Here’s everything you need to know. They have a magnetic strip or a magnetic latch that keeps it in place.

One of the features of the magnetic sliding screen door is strong magnets embedded along the edges ensure the screen snaps shut seamlessly after each use.

How to Choose the Right Sliding Screen Door for Your Home?

Selecting the right sliding screen door for your home involves considering factors like size, material, durability, and functionality. Read below to help you make the right choice:

  • Measure your doorway: Measure the existing door frame where the screen will be installed and take the tight width and height measurements. You will also need to assess how the track will be compatible with your existing door setup to ensure it can be installed properly and the screen can operate as intended. It is crucial to get the measurements correct as your screen door will be custom-sized to fit it perfectly.
  • Select the best mesh material: Screen doors are offered with different mesh options to solve different problems, determining what the best mesh material is for your needs is important. If your goal is to allow fresh air inside your home without insects then an insect mesh would be your best option. If you are trying to block the powerful UV rays from the sun while still allowing fresh air inside your home then solar mesh would be your best option. You can also opt for pet mesh if you have an animal in your home as it is scratch-resistant mesh that won’t tear as easily.
  • Additional features: You will also need to consider how you want the screens to operate, primarily sliding screen doors are operated with a handle. Mirage retractable screens can be ordered with a standard handle or upgraded PivotPro handle for ease of use. You may also want to consider weather-resistant mesh and screen unit materials to ensure that your sliding screen door will last the test of time.

Benefits of Sliding Screen Doors

Improved Ventilation and Airflow

To improve your ventilation and airflow look at a sliding screen door as an option. It allows you to keep your doors open to let the fresh air in and easy access in and out of your home when needed.

Protection from Insects

The sliding screen doors provide protection from insects. The mesh is tightly woven to keep small bugs and insects out. Entertain in peace knowing there will be no invasion of pesky bugs.

Energy Efficiency

Instead of wasting money on air conditioning why not explore screen doors that can limit the amount of money spent on AC and bring the fresh air in. Opt for a second screen to create a cross-breeze and more airflow.

Aesthetic Appeal

Sliding screen doors fit with your home’s design. Choose a color and mesh that fits with your style. They are discrete and fit in perfectly. Depending on where the screens are located in your home you may decide on a certain color or mesh. Retractable screens are designed to be discrete. Hidden when you don’t need them and minimal obstruction when in use.

Pet-Friendly Options

There are mesh options available which are durable enough that are scratch resistant to keep pets from puncturing the screen. Choose a pet safe mesh that is a tightly woven mesh that is harder to scratch than other mesh types. Please be aware that they can be punctured with extreme scratching but are more scratch resistant than a normal mesh.

Increased Home Value

Adding features like retractable sliding door screens can increase the value of your home. It provides an added feature that people see as an advantage. Who doesn’t want increased airflow and less insects throughout their home? Although it seems like a small add on, it can be that extra touch that really impresses a buyer.

Mirage Offers the Best Sliding Screen Doors

When it comes to the best sliding screen doors, Mirage has the best options for you. They are the smoothest screen on the market with the aesthetics to go along with it. They are energy efficient, improve ventilation and airflow. Not only do they pair well with standard doors, they fit perfectly with French doors, sliding doors and larger openings such as bi-fold doors and multi-panel sliding doors.

When it comes to choosing the right one for you, you want to assess the type of opening you have and speak to a Mirage professional installer. Go to the Mirage Screen Dealer page and enter your zip code or postal code to give you options of installers in your area to contact. They will ask you for the measurements and the type of opening it is. They will then ask for a photo and can assess what type of screen is best and the cost. They will also show you the color options that would match your opening.

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