Screen doors offer a certain level of convenience and luxury that most people always seem to enjoy. Knowing that you can get that nice, outside breeze without the bugs is a blessing. Unsurprisingly, basic screen doors have been a favorite for a long time because of it. Now that sliding doors are in vogue; many people wonder if it's possible to outfit their sliding doors with screens. We've researched the options to screen your sliding door.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that there are now sliding screen doors that can be added to a typical screen door. However, you will need to choose a sliding screen door made for your door's size. Moreover, it's necessary to get the right frame to add the new door appropriately.
Many homeowners who want to add value to their homes are eyeing sliding screen doors as a way to make it happen. But is this a good idea? If you're curious about the details, please keep reading because we've got you covered!
Types of Screen Doors for Sliding Doors
The first thing you need to know is that multiple types of screen doors can be used in conjunction with sliding doors. Choosing the right one will make your life (and installation) process a lot easier. The thing is, you need to make sure that you pick the right one for your door.
A retractable screen door built for sliding doors or a sliding screen door will work best for most homes. Both of these options are permanent in nature. We strongly suggest getting a retractable screen door, simply because it allows you more control over your home's ventilation. Let's take a closer look.
Magnetic Screen Doors
If you just need a temporary screen against a door, a magnetic screen door will suffice. These doors are small kits that can be pinned up against any doorframe and use magnets to hold the screen mesh against the frame. Since these aren't permanent, we're not going to focus on them too much.
Click here to grab a magnetic screen door from Amazon.
Are Retractable Screen Doors Any Good?
Out of all the screen door types you can choose for a sliding door, retractable screens are usually the best bet. This is due to the high quality of the doors and the fact that you can choose when the door lets air in. When you're done using the ventilation, slide the screen into place. It's a year-round solution!
Retractable screen doors are also seen as less difficult to clean, simply because you can retract the screen when you need to reach the difficult nooks and crannies. Low-maintenance homeowners will love this look!
How Much Does A Retractable Screen Door Cost?
Retractable screen doors cost more than typical screen doors. You should expect to pay between $300 and $1,500 for a typical retractable screen door. Since you're working with sliding screen doors, the price tag will be closer to $1,500. Sliding doors are generally more expensive across the board because of the fact that they're seen as a luxury option.
Are Sliding Screen Doors Any Good?
If you don't need the versatility of a retractable screen, then a sliding screen door is great. These are full, top-to-bottom screen doors that are placed on a frame outside the main sliding door. When you want to get ventilation, slide the main door and leave the screen door closed. You'll enjoy that fresh air in no time!
While they are great for patios, it's worth noting that some sliding screen doors will not allow you to remove the screen manually. Cleaning can get a bit difficult. Before you choose this option, it's smart to learn how to clean screen doors without removing them.
How Much Do Sliding Screen Doors Cost?
Sliding screen doors are a good option if you're on a budget but still want to improve airflow in the home. These are notably more affordable than retractable screen doors. Homeowners looking for a standard sliding screen door for their patio will pay between $150 to $200 for the door alone, plus the installation fees that come with it.
By the way, if you want to find out more details about the cost of a screen door, did you know we have an entire article about screen door costs?
Is Installing A Screen Door Easy?
Yes and no. It depends on the screen door as well as your own level of handiwork. Generally speaking, most homeowners can install their own screen door as long as they have the tools they need. Installing a screen door doesn't take too much time. In fact, you can usually do it in under an hour.
Knowing what you're getting into will help you determine if this is a project for you. If you're curious about what it takes to install a patio screen door, take a look at the video below. It can help you gauge what you should expect if you decide to go the DIY route.
How Much Does Professional Screen Door Installation Cost?
This depends on how intricate your screen door is. Most installations will take between half an hour to two hours. Professional window and screen door installers charge by the hour, and that usually will be a fee between $50 and $75 per hour. Typical installation firms also stick to a minimum of one hour of work as a bottom charge.
This means that you should set aside between $50 and $150 if you want to have someone else install the door for you. Obviously, it's easy to see where one might want to stick to DIY methods when installing a door. The price at $150 is nothing to sneeze at!
Do Screen Doors Add Value To A Home?
Families who are looking to fix and flip their homes would be wise to add a screen door to their homes. Screen doors are noted as having a high return on investment come sale time, especially when it comes to areas that are known for flourishing insect life.
Though this is not usually a feature people ask for by name, you can expect it to raise value by a couple hundred dollars. However, the full ROI you should expect varies depending on your house's location, the lifestyle people in the area lead, and more.
Do Screen Doors Add Security to a Home?
While they're great for adding some ventilation, it's important to recognize that screen doors are not seen as a viable security booster. Screens on screen doors are fairly easy to break or tear into. In fact, it's such a common issue that screen door repair kits exist for that very reason.
Screen doors do, however, possess locks. These locks are often easily bypassed, which is why most people do not consider screen doors a security feature. If you want to get additional security, you should look into storm doors with screen features instead. Security doors, in particular, may be a better match.
Conclusion
Screen doors often don't get the love they should, but that's quickly changing. This is especially true when you're discussing the sliding screen doors that are frequently found on patios. It's not only possible to add a screen door to a sliding patio door, but it's actually highly encouraged by real estate gurus. If only for the improvement it makes to your home's value, it's an investment worth considering.
Before you go out shopping for a brand new screen door, it's important to remember that not every screen door will work on sliding doors. You should take your time to find a door that has the right measurements, and is slated as a good choice for sliding doors. Not sure which door is right for you? Ask a hardware store or door installation professional for help. Happy renovating!