There are basically 3 classes of retractable screens.
Let's break it down starting with the simplest - the do-it-yourself retractable screen. You can buy these at Home Depot, Lowes, or any other big box retailer. You can even find some online. Brands like ODL and Stoett fall in this category. These are, perhaps obviously, the cheapest option available, and have varying degrees of quality. The big issue is the installation- Home Depot discontinued their installation of the ODL door after having tons of problems with it. Just ask the special order desk- they'll tell you. You see, all doors in your home, even "identical ones" are not EXACTLY the same- and the retractable screens require a pretty exact fit. Unfortunately- saving some money in the short term, these screens tend to not be the best solution unless you really know what you're doing.
LOWES BIFOLD DOORS
2nd Class- lesser expensive "professionally installed" retractable screens. Brands like Vanishing Screens and Casper Screens. These 2 brands are from Europe, and are typically about 10 percent less expensive from the better quality ones. The challenge with them is not their installation- as they are professionally installed, its their durability. Made from a roll formed aluminum - that means that a flat piece was bent into shape, these screen doors will bend when you step on their bottom tracks, and will not work well over time.
3rd- Higher quality doors that are also installed by pros- brands like Phantom, Mirage, and Wizard. These are all fairly good looking and durable. They seem to withstand the test of time and are a good investment. The biggest knock on them is that they snap back very aggressively when you use them. Be sure to check the quality level of the installation- all of these are custom fit, and it is important to know how it will mount.
Unique- Clearview retractable screens share many of the same qualities of the higher quality screens, and they have a patented speed reducer which makes their retractable screens glide back without snapping, They appear to look much nicer than the others as well.
Retractable Screens 101 LOWES BIFOLD DOORS
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