No matter what addition or upgrade you have installed in your home, you want it to suit your needs and your style. However, before you get started, there are some options and questions that need to be considered if you want to get the best retractable screen for your home. That’s why this article will review how to choose the right retractable screen for your space, so you’re sure to be satisfied with your purchase.
This is the first and most important question you need to know the answer to before moving forward. Screens come in many shapes and sizes, so you need to decide whether you’ll have window screens, door screens, or porch screens installed. While this may seem like a simple question, in actuality, it will greatly affect size, construction time, the amount of materials needed, and ultimately determine the pricing.
In order of importance from most to least, window screens are the most important, while door screens fall in the middle and porch screens are last. This is because windows play a huge part in regulating your home’s temperature, and having window screens installed first can save you money on electricity bills in the long run. Your home’s insulation is critical for your comfort, so if your budget is limited, go for the window screen first.
Doors also play an important role in home temperature regulation, but a little less so than windows. People are much more likely to keep their windows open on a hot day than their front doors. Lastly, fully enclosing porches or patios with screens is more often seen as a luxury. While it will certainly protect your furniture and help you enjoy your own slice of outdoors with more comfort, it’s not completely necessary in regulating the temperature of your home.
Before installation, you’ll need to decide exactly where your screens are going to go. This will help you decide whether to put a door or window in the area, if one is not there already. If you decide to install space for a window or door, you’ll need to hire a home construction contractor in order to make the space or make sure that it’s put in the floor plan ahead of time.
In addition, where you put your screens may affect what type of window screen you need. For example, if you’re installing a door screen where the sun hits your home for most of the day, you may want to have solar mesh installed to keep heat out of your home. Or, if your back porch has too many unwanted wandering eyes, you may want to consider a privacy screen. While your contractor will ask you these questions and keep these aspects in mind, it’s an important question to know the answer to so you can make better-informed decisions.
Window screens, porch screens, and patio screens can be installed to pull down and retract automatically with the simple push of a button. Motorized screens are becoming more and more popular on the market due to their beauty and convenience. This is especially true for those who are looking to enclose their porch or patio. Motorized screens can fit almost any size, and enclosing your patio area can add an entirely new room to your home, protecting it from bugs, dirt, and harsh weather so you can enjoy your piece of the outdoors more comfortably.
Also, it’s an excellent installation for those with accessibility issues. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to pull down and retract their windows on their own, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to enjoy the breeze or block out cold weather whenever they want to. Because motorized retractable screens come with an easy-to-use remote, the needs of those with accessibility issues are easily met. Your screens are always installed with your needs in mind.
Now that you’ve decided what screens you need and where they’ll go, you should keep the types of doors and openings you have in mind, as this too will affect size and pricing. At Phantom Screens, your installation can be made to fit a variety of door types, such as single doors that swing in or out, oversized doors, double doors or double French doors, and sliding patio doors. It’s also a good idea to keep in mind how many panes you’ll need as this will affect the material amount. However, no matter what type of door you have, your installation will come with a convenient latch and release handle to protect you and your home from unwanted openings or visitors.
The same considerations you apply to your doors should be applied to your windows as well. Whether you have single-hung windows, tilt n’ turn windows, double-hung windows, or windows that swing in and out, the perfect screen can be installed for you. With your windows screens, you’ll also have a built-in latch system; but don’t worry, as these too can be retracted out of sight when unwanted or not in use. Whether installing windows or doors, you can open your windows and enjoy air flow when you want to, without having to fiddle with clunky locks or handles.
Because there are so many mesh options to choose from, you need to know what your needs are so your installation can be crafted to fit them. For example, if you live in a humid area with many pesky insects, you’ll want to choose an insect mesh. Or, if you want to enjoy your pool deck without being exposed to the harsh UV rays of the sun, solar mesh is the best option for you. Keeping in mind why you need your screens will help you choose the right mesh.
You’ll also want to keep in mind the sizing of the mesh, as it affects view and airflow. While all window screens are able to keep out insects, some can do much more. Again, it all depends on what you need them for. Let’s say your home is prone to getting very tiny insects in the house like gnats or fruit flies, and insect mesh makes a tight weaving while offering up to 55% UV ray protection. However, while you’ll still be able to enjoy some breeze, and you won’t get the full effect of the wind on their nice airy days, so they’ll need to be retracted.
Finally, you need to choose which finish you want your frame to have. Luckily, there are plenty of options that suit almost any home’s style of décor. Your screens can come in a variety of wood grain finishes, from a deep romantic mahogany all the way to a classic farmhouse light knotty pine. Your door frames can come in a variety of finishes as well. You can stick to the tried-and-true classic white, or have your frames stand out with the forest-like Hartford green.
When it comes to choosing the right retractable screen for your space, the only “wrong screen” is the one that doesn’t fit the needs of you and your home. What matters most is your satisfaction, so keep these questions in mind when you’re ready to talk to a contractor, and you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your home.