Screen doors have been around for years, and many homes have fixed screens already installed. They usually can work fine but can sometimes be flimsy, come off the track or swing open when not wanted.
Retractable screens are made to stay out of your way when not in use. They take up less space and are more functional than a traditional fixed screen. They provide fresh air just like a traditional screen but more aesthetically pleasing and sturdy.
What Are Fixed Screen Doors?
Fixed screen doors are screens that either are on a sliding door and run along a track and sit off to the side or they are swinging on a single door and latch within the doorway. Depending on your doors opening they can be installed differently but overall they are more flimsy and don’t last as long as a retractable screen door.
What Are Retractable Screen Doors?
Retractable screen doors are screens that create fresh airflow into a home but can be stored away when not in use. They have a housing to one side where the mesh rolls into when not in use and then pulled across, it runs along a track and latches with a magnet. To release the magnet you can pull the handle or opt for the pivot pro handle that twists to release the magnet.
If you have a single doorway, a single screen will be installed.
If you have a French door, you can get two screens that meet in the middle to mirror your French door look. If you don’t need the french door look you can get a 1750 retractable screen that goes across the whole doorway.
If you have a large opening such as a bifold door, multi-panel slider or other larger opening types, the 3500 large opening is the best pairing. It pulls across up to 14ft wide and 28ft with a french set.
Reasons Why Retractable Screen Doors Are Better Than Fixed Screen Doors
Convenient & Functional
Retractable screens provide the ease of use while being discrete and out of your way when not in use. They blend into your home’s design and create the most seamless transition into your indoor/outdoor space. Traditional screens can be more difficult to open and close and can swing open or come off the track easily. Retractable screens are sturdy and stay on the track, locked in place with a magnet which needs to be released with a twist of the handle or a pull. This makes it less likely to fly open with wind or children pressing against it.
Aesthetic Appeal
The aesthetic appeal of a retractable screen is one of the biggest selling features of a retractable screen. They come in a large variety of colors that can match your opening and blend nicely into your home’s design. They have a sleek design that keeps them from being an eyesore or disrupting your space. Fixed screens can also be sleek but may not have the variety of colors you are wanting as well as handle choices can be minimal.
Easy to maintain
Retractable screens are easy to maintain and stay in good condition for years if treated with care. In order to keep them in optimal condition, the tracks need to be cleaned. The tracks can have a build up of dust and debris, so cleaning them with a cloth or vacuum is essential. Spraying them with a silicone lubricant and running it back and forth will keep them running smooth for years to come.The mesh also needs to be whipped down to make sure there is no extra dirt running within the screen system.
Better Airflow & Unobstructed Views
Retractable screen doors create the best ventilation possible for a home. The mesh let’s cool air through your living area while also keeping bugs out. In some areas of your home you would like to look out to your outdoor area, retractable screens keep them from obstructing those views.
Depending on the mesh chosen, can be more translucent or more opaque, if you are looking for unobstructed views, the lighter, more translucent mesh is the best option.
If you have a large opening in your home such as a bi-fold door, multi-panel sliding door or other large openings there is a Mirage retractable screen for that. The Mirage 3500 pairs nicely with these types of doors as they blend seamlessly with the design of those types of doors.
When Is Fixed Door A Better Option?
Some door openings can benefit from a fixed screen over a retractable screen. This is due to how the doorway is designed. Some have an awkward opening that may not be conducive to a retractable screen install. A retractable screen has to be mounted to the side of the doorway with tracks along the top and bottom of the opening. Fixed screens are more of an affordable option compared to retractable screens. If you don’t need the convenience and easy use of a retractable screen then a fixed screen can work just fine for those purposes. They are also a simple installation, so it’s an easy process if that is what you are looking for.
When To Choose A Retractable Screen Door Over A Fixed Door?
If you are not sure on whether to choose a retractable screen door or a fixed screen door, look at the type of doorway or opening you have. If your is a sliding door, single door, french door, or large opening, a retractable screen should generally work for you.
The following are some reasons why a retractable screen might be a better solution for your door.
- Aesthetically pleasing: Retractable screens are more seamless with your home’s design, sleek and hard to notice with the naked eye.
- Professionally installed: You don’t have to play around with the installation, have a Mirage professional installer deal with the nitty gritty of the install. Take a photo of your door opening and the approximate measurements and an installer will come out to you and let you know the best color, and type of retractable screen for your doorway or opening.
- Customizable: They are very customizable to your home’s design. Mirage screens come in a variety of colors, mesh options and sizing to fit the home perfectly.
- Easy use: Retractable screens are designed for ease of use, for all ages and people. It stays secure in place when needed and easily opens when coming in and out of the space.
- Functionality: They stay out of your way when not needed, where a fixed screen can obstruct your views and can be in the way of your home’s design. A retractable screen is overall easy to use and is extremely durable.
Conclusion
When it comes to the differences in retractable screens vs fixed screens, they both create airflow and a bug free environment but are both very different in terms of quality, durability, customization and aesthetics.
Choose a retractable screen door if you are wanting to create the best fit for your home, the quality is unmatched as it is professionally installed, made of quality materials and stays out of the way when not in use. This is a huge plus when wanting to look out at your view. When making a decision on one over the other take into account the many reasons and options both offer. With a retractable screen you know you won’t be disappointed with the outcome and the overall quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, they typically don’t last longer. They need to be replaced as they are not as durable as retractable screen doors.
Yes, if you choose the pet mesh, it is scratch resistant to claws and if you go for the 1750R, it is retained at the bottom that keeps pets in so they don’t slip under the screens opening at the bottom.
They are not the best with extreme winds and are not made as a storm door but they are overall very durable. Depending on the type of whether you can speak with a Mirage professional installer to understand if it’s a good fit.
They generally do not, but if you have had your screen for years, you may need them serviced if not functioning to its full potential.
Yes you can, a Mirage installer will take the fixed screen door off and replace it with a retractable screen door. This won’t take a long time to install and replace.
