Modern Screen Door Types and Options

Screens have evolved along with our aesthetic needs. People want to live in beautiful homes with beautiful doors and windows. But you also want to be protected from the elements: strong winds, harmful sun rays, pesky flying insects. You may also wish to add a layer of security to your home and prevent your pets from running out. 

All of these issues are easily overcome with one solution: modern screen doors. 

In this blog, we’re going to outline not only the different types of screen doors that are popular on the market today but also the brands that offer them to make your shopping journey a pleasure. 

Different Modern Screen Door Types

Different homes have different needs, and it’s important to know what’s available out there before you commit to purchasing. Screenmobile carries a host of different brands and will professionally measure and install your screen door. 

Retractable Doors

A retractable door automatically closes. With a spring or a magnetic pull, depending on the brand, you can fully relax knowing that the screen door is not left open. 

Retractable screen doors help make your life easier. There is no need to fear a screen left open, letting bugs and critters in because the screen opens and closes when you need it and maintains the look of your home with a concealed housing unit. 

1. Mirage: covers all door types, from French doors to sliding doors. Mirage is a modern screen door option offering a magnetic door opening and closing mechanism. Kids and elderly folk can easily manipulate these screen doors with no pulling or tugging. 
2. Phantom: an almost invisible screen that promotes a durable mesh, acts as a sunshade to regulate temperature, and stops pests from flying in. Phantom works with a controlled roll and sliding mechanism and comes in a variety of colors to suit your home decor. 
3. Clearview: no more door slamming with Clearview’s patented speed reducer and hidden magnet system. Custom built to suit your home needs with a strong and durable mesh. Also available in different colors to finish your home design and boost your curbside appeal. 

Sliding Screen Doors

You’re busy preparing the dinner while the kids keep running in and out. They’re blowing off steam after a long day in school, and you’re OK with that. Still fussing at the back of your head is Rex, the family dog, and his love of running outside. You live on the street with cars frequently passing. 

Sliding screen doors are perfect for accessing your balcony or yard without disturbing your home layout. They’re also quite discreet, which is attractive for your curbside appeal. They add a layer of security to your home while still providing all the benefits of a modern screen door.

1. Heavy Duty Sliders: this is the brand if you want a screen door that’s strong, durable, and can slide. We manufacture them at your home to suit your home dimensions and specifics. 
2. Titan Security Sliders: Built with metal alloy up to 6x stronger than steel, this brand of sliding screen doors offers a three-point locking system that deters break-ins. It also allows you to keep your curbside appeal with a MeshTec screen that allows both visibility and ventilation. 
3. Vista Security Sliders: completely secures your patio and entryway with a 3-point locking system and durable construction materials. Filter out 60% of the sun’s harmful UV rays while deterring critters from entering. 

Swinging Doors

These are your choice for protecting your entryway doors. Keep your pets in; while keeping pests and critters out. These modern screen doors guard your curbside appeal with the best material available. 

1. Active: choose no-rattle, anti-rust grilles designs to complement your home’s exterior. Powdered paint finishing lasting longer than paint and a choice of different colors to answer your needs. Our Screenmobile professionals will measure and install these swinging screen doors on location. 
2. PCA: USA-made, these swinging screen doors are custom built and professionally installed. You choose which way the door opens and on which side to place the handle. Very durable in high traffic areas and can resist forces up to 740 lbs. ¾” Square Aluminum Picket is used for your door decoration. 
3. Wood Doors: if you don’t want aluminum swinging doors ruining your home’s historical look, then wood doors are your stylish and sophisticated option. We discuss with you which wood you prefer to keep your curbside appeal and can also include storm panels for further protection.

Security Doors

If you don’t feel safe leaving your doors open to ventilate your home, then choosing a security door is your best option. These screen doors add a layer of security and safety to your home, allowing you to continue with your chores worry-free. A security door also serves as a great pet-proof screen door — keeping your pets in and the critters out. Amazingly, security doors have also been known to keep bears out of cabins in the woods! (Although, we wouldn’t recommend testing that. All these brands also offer window screen protection. Their choices are custom built with your taste in mind. 

1. Vista: strong, secure, and lasting. These are the words you think when you hear Vista—made with certified 316 marine grade high-tensile stainless steel to ensure your safety while complementing your home design with 9 available options. 
2. Titan: available for both single and double doors, the metal alloy is up to 6x stronger than steel and will not rust, ever. Titan uses Premium Security or MeshTec Advanced Screen Systems to satisfy your needs and protect you from intruders and bugs. 
3. Active: increase your home security and peace of mind with this decorative screen door brand. Heavy duty with 1/4″ full Amplimesh diamond pattern grille choices and 1″ deadbolt to boot. We can arrive at your location where you can directly choose your style. 

Large Opening  Retractable Screens

Large format screens are the perfect option for larger areas that need to be covered. Perfect for commercial use like restaurants and shops or homes with stacking sliding glass doors or bi-folding glass doors. They don’t block your view and protect you from harmful UV sun rays and intruding insects and critters. In addition, these screens can be retractable for added peace of mind and easy use. 

1. Wizard: Wizard Industries have launched this innovative and hyper-modern screen door: VistaView™. This screen can cover very long distances and even reach around 90° corners. They have a simple free spring and slide mechanism that you can easily control from a break on the handle. 
2. Phantom: these invisible-like screens reserve your view while allowing full ventilation. The screens are retractable with a slide bar and roll control. Using magnets and a spring tension system, Phantom is the perfect option for double-French doorways, porches, and three-seasoned rooms. 
3. Genius: the perfect choice for homes that are adapted for wheelchair users. With a low-profile bottom track and ADA compliant, you can now screen large openings with no fear of tripping or catching. Their modern screens come with ZigZag and ZigZag2 features to satisfy your home needs. 

What’s the difference between a screen door and a storm door

The difference is quite simple: traditional storm doors are built with a glass panel and screen doors with high-standard mesh protection. 

• Screen doors offer boosted ventilation allowing the cool breeze to pass through your home to aerate it. 
• Storm Doors excel in cold climates by keeping the rain or snow out while letting the light in. When there’s snow is on the ground, and you don’t want a draft of cold air getting in while you take in a bit of sunlight. 

The basic door features are the same: help with temperature control, keep pets in, prevention of harmful UV rays and insects and critters from entering. Both doors provide a level of security while letting natural light pass into the home. 

Modern screen doors can slide, be custom built to fit your needs, and come in an array of colors and finishes to suit your home design. 

How to choose the best screen door for your home

There is no one brand or screen door type that can be called the best. Each brand offers its own unique touch that answers your individual needs. 

With Screenmobile, you don’t need to worry if you’ve made the right choice. You don’t even have to know what type of screen door you need or which brand to go with. Just give us a call, and we’ll guide you. 

Screenmobile services are fully customized to your needs. We help you make the right choice for your home and family needs. We are with you on your journey to choosing the best modern screen door to boost your home value, security, and peace of mind. 

Call us today.

Catios are the latest trend in home improvement projects in the US. Pet owners all over the country are scrambling to HomeDepots and Lowes to build their own Catio, or pet patio, only to discover that the size is all wrong–it’s too high, short, long, small, large even!

If you’re here, then you’ve heard of a Catio, and you’re probably even curious to understand more about this new fad. Or maybe you want to know how to get one installed? Or, most importantly, are Catios even safe for your pets? 

Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Screenmobile, we’ve been on the Catio wagon (quite literally) a while now. We have the answers to your questions and then some. 

What is a Catio?

A Catio is a patio, but for your cat, a private studio built for their comfort. It’s an enclosed  outdoor area offering four options:

1. Built around a window. A smaller option and usually accessible by cats only through the serving window. 
2. Built around a door. This allows us humans to also benefit from the space. A very attractive option for those living in hot climates. The screens can be tinted to shade the sun and keep out annoying flying pests. 
3. Built independently, away from your home’s walls. A dedicated outdoor and enclosed space for your cats to live wild. 
4. Upgrade of existing porch/patio/balcony. The open areas are closed off with beautiful screens. 

The main concern is so your pets can be outside without the danger of them running off. Many homes don’t have the luxury of a large garden, and many pet owners don’t have the luxury of letting their pet’s in and out as they need during the day. 

Work is busy these days, and you have so many things that need your attention when you get off. Then, when you get back, it’s late. You ate on the drive home, and when you come through the door, the 1,000 chores on your list come into full view. So Kitty gets ten minutes on her own, outside.

You flop into bed, exhausted, and give an apologetic look at your loyal pet. “Tomorrow”, you promise weakly. 

However, if you had a Catio, Kitty would be able to exercise all her outdoor needs while you’re away. She can curl in the direct sun, dig her claws into the soil, and chase the smells of the slow-moving snails.

A Catio, or pet patio, is peace of mind for any pet owner. 

What’s the difference between a Catio and a Cat Flap?

A cat flap is still used in both instances. A cat, or other pet, is free to roam in the enclosed room without getting into trouble. Many pet owners lock door flaps to prevent their fur babies from running out and getting lost and hurt while they’re not at home. 

You can keep your cat indoors, as many cats prefer, with the freedom to choose when to go outside. 

Are cats happy in Catios?

We only have our customer feedback to rely on when it comes to defining the happiness levels of cats and other pets in these pet patios. Saying that, our feedback has been mainly positive. Frustrated, old, and sick cats tend to make a mess, whereas free-roaming cats go outside into their Catio.

You might not see a smile on their face, but you’ll be smiling with no mess to clean up. 

Jean A. on Yelp, 12/10/2021

Cats are safe in these outdoor enclosures. They can’t get out, but neither can anything get inside. They have the wind, fresh air, soil, and direct sunlight. You can create a whole adventure for your cat with intricate and challenging equipment. He may not want to come back indoors!

Are Catios good for indoor cats? 

Outdoor cats and indoor cats have different sets of needs. And while an indoor cat may enjoy lounging about the house, they still benefit from being outdoors. Provide your cats with a space that is safe while outdoors. An outdoor cat enclosure is the purrfect solution for your domesticated pet. 

If anything, a Catio is more important if you have an indoor cat. It will encourage cats to get outside without leaving their comforts. Your indoor cat will love basking in the sun in her custom Catio. 

How to Build a Catio

You can easily build a Catio. You don’t need to build a foundation and alter any structural modification. Consider building a screened-in porch or patio using screened walls and doors. 

You can easily turn an existing space into a Catio, like a balcony or open terrace. And just because you’ve got arches doesn’t mean we can’t do the job, we love a challenge at ScreenMobile!

Screened in arched patio now purrfect Catio

At ScreenMobile, we have experience building sunrooms, three-seasoned rooms, patios, and porches customized to your personal needs. We come directly to you. We discuss your needs, take measurements, peruse the options, and get to work. Professional installation will save you many headaches in trying to mount a DIY Catio.
Thinking a Catio is what you need? Please your pets and give us a call to set up a free consultation today.

Reap all the benefits of the classic screen door with some must-have new adjustments. How about a smooth control system to reduce door slamming? Roll control to master the speed? And for shaded porches, there is the digital, modern, motorized option, operated by a remote controller or your smartphone. 

You can choose to have a custom-built screen that’s almost invisible to the passerby and one that won’t block your view. Or, you can select your own shade to boost your privacy at home. Phantom retractable screens also prevent pests from entering and pets from running out. 

What are Phantom Screens?

You’re sitting at home enjoying a cold drink during a summer heatwave. You want a natural breeze to ruffle your hair slightly and carry those sweet summer smells throughout your home. But, on the other hand, you don’t want to be bothered by mosquitos and other insects, and neither do you want to constantly check to see if the dog has run out. 

Screenmobile installs the Phantom products that are most appropriate for your needs.

Phantom door and window screens 

Offer you the solution to the problems posed by leaving doors and windows open. But some options don’t fit well with your home decor or the size of the space.

Phantom retractable screens are here to save your day. They slide with your doors and windows, so you can easily let your dog or cat out, and they close with enough firmness to not be bothered by that breeze that has grown stronger. 

They’re almost invisible, complementing your curbside appeal while allowing you to enjoy the view at the same time. 

They also play a huge part in protecting you and your family from UV rays, which are one of the biggest free radicals in our environment that are damaging to your health. 

Phantom Motorized Shades

These motorized shade solutions appear at the push of a button, give shade from direct sunshine, and promote privacy. Phantom Motorized Shades can help you save money on air conditioning by reducing the amount of energy used to cool your home in the summer. They also allow you to control your porch or patio environment, keeping the bugs out and the fresh air flowing. 

Phantom screens are measured, fitted, and installed professionally by Screenmobile. Motorized shades are sun and wind sensor compatible, as well as home automation components that enable the blinds to be programmed to respond to changing environmental conditions.

Do retractable screens keep bugs out? 

Yes, they do. Insect screens are a huge must, no matter where you’re located. Thanks to the mesh fabrication, the screen blocks flying pests and those pesky no-see-ums that the wind has thrown in your direction. Any expert would advise mesh screens as a crucial tool in your pest prevention armory. 

You’re lying in bed at night trying to get that well-deserved sleep. You’ve put the kids to bed; you’ve finished up with your work and read a few chapters of your book. You turn off the lights and close your eyes. 

But what’s that sound? There’s an insect flying in your room, circling just above your head, drawn to the heat of your body. You turn back on the lights, cursing under your breath for that ruined sleep, and scan the room intensely, looking for the bugger. 

Even if you find it, another will come along shortly. 

Retractable screens effectively keep bugs out, and for large spaces like porches and patios, Phantom’s motorized shades allow you to control them with a remote control or from your smartphone. You don’t have to worry about if you left the screen open, and you can easily close it from another room after someone else forgot to shut it. 

You no longer need to battle with flying insects while you try to relax during the day or sleep at night. 

Are retractable screens worth it? 

If you’re a homeowner who enjoys being in a beautiful home, then yes, retractable screen doors and windows are worth it. 

The Benefits of Phantom Screens: 

• Almost invisible
• Enhanced natural ventilation
• Prevents pests from entering
• Keeps pets indoors
• Stops harmful UV rays / solar shading

Phantom screens offer peace of mind. They not only improve your home’s esthetics and value, but they promote a more relaxed lifestyle. Professionally installed, so you don’t have to worry about a DIY project going wrong. 

Pricing

Your screens will be custom-made and professionally installed, so there are a number of variables that affect pricing. Your location plays a part too, which is why we offer you a free estimate from a Screenmobile franchise that is closest to you. We have multiple service professionals in 30 states and customer service that we’re very proud of. 

You’re welcome and encouraged to contact your local Screenmobile directly to get your free estimate.  

Award-winning Automated Shades and Door & Window Screens

Screenmobile is proud of the customer service provided, from your first online contact to the follow-up calls to the installation by our trained professionals. 

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Start your journey today with Mobile Screens and contact us for an estimate. Simply enter your zip code and we’ll put you in touch with your closed ScreenMobile professional.