When you're shopping for a new screen door, it's totally normal to assume that they are a one size fits all deal. After all, don't they all look the same? Not quite. Though they often look similar to one another, there are several different types of screen doors. Each screen door type has a slightly different aesthetic, use, and vibe.
Though they tend to have the same "framing" appearance in most cases, there are so many different ways to style a screen door. Along with different colors, screen doors have different ways of providing ventilation, adding security, or just giving you a nice view of the yard. Knowing that, it's good to be a little picky with your door selection.
If you are thinking of getting a screen door, you might be wondering what the big deal is about choosing your door type. Truth be told, it makes a lot of sense to learn about each type before you buy a screen door. It's a smart way to prevent buyer's remorse and also ensure that you get the best door for the home you have. The question remains, of course, which screen door type is right for you? Let's take a look.
1. Hinged Screen Doors
Also known as "traditional" screen doors, these are the most widely-recognized doors of the category. They are doors that are placed on the outside of your main door's home and open just like a regular hinged door. They cost the same as a typical screen door would, primarily because they are considered to be the standard.
If you want to have the classic "farmhouse" look of a screen door, then this is a great choice for you. They also sometimes have locks on them, giving you just a little more security. It's a great generic pick. Their biggest appeal is that they can often be painted and jazzed up for an antique look.
Click here to see this hinged screen door on Amazon.
2. Sliding (Or Retractable) Screen Door
Don't like the idea of a door with hinges? Sliding screen doors are regularly used in contemporary and modern home designs for this reason. Sliding doors are less likely to be lockable, but often add an easier way to keep doors open. They're sleek, modern, and also happen to be ideal for sliding doors.
Most people tend to use them in their backyard more than their front yard due to security issues and due to the fact that they tend to be for larger doors. With that said, they are more likely to give you a full view of the yard in front of you. That's a great way to wake up. People who want to give pets fresh air also tend to enjoy these as well.
Click here to see this retractable screen door on Amazon.
3. Magnetic/Handsfree Screen Door
If you're willing to spend a little extra for some convenience and don't want to install a full screen door, you might want to take a look at magnetic screen doors. These are mesh covers that can attach to the frame of your door. When you want to go inside or outside, you can just kick the mesh aside and walk right in.
The mesh is held closed by magnets at the bottom of the doors, or between two flaps. Convenience is the name of the game here, and they are great for moments where you want a screen door but don't want it 24/7. They come in all sizes, so if you've ever wanted to have a ventilated yet bug-free garage, this is the way to go.
If you're not a fan of cleaning window screens, then this is the best option for you. These do not require any type of cleaning, really, and can be taken down once you're done using them.
Click here to get a magnetic screen door on Amazon.
4. Full View Storm Door
Let's just face it. Choosing a screen versus a window can be difficult if you live in a place like Virginia or New Jersey. Sometimes, you want the ventilation that screen doors provide. Other times, you just want to have glass instead, simply because it offers a little insulation. Sound like a familiar issue?
Full view storm doors give you the best of both worlds. These have interchangeable panels that can let you switch from glass to screen, giving you the ability to change the look and function of your door as you wish. One thing that is worth noting about all storm doors (full view included) is that they tend to come with locks and added security. It's a good option for rough neighborhoods.
5. Ventilating Storm Door
A vented storm door is a lot like a full view storm door in many ways. It can offer both ventilation and protection, much like a full view. It also has a similar look to full view storm door as well. However, there is one major difference between this and the screen door type above it.
With a ventilating storm door, you don't have to change the panel to get ventilation or glass. Rather, this storm door has a sliding panel that you can adjust to add or reduce ventilation as you see fit. Most of these doors have a modern look to them. People love their convenience, especially since it doesn't involve doing much heavy lifting or panel switching to make them work.
6. Rollscreen Storm Door
Also known as rollscreen storm doors, this type of screen door has a screen that can be pulled down---much like you would a window shade. These screen doors are great for people who generally don't want to have a screen visible most of the time, or who might want to keep things fairly visible throughout the day.
These tend to be made by one particular company and feature Rolscreen(R) technology. As a result of their relative rarity, they might be a little pricier. If you want to get an off-market type like this, they're usually called retractable screen doors. With that said, how they work may differ slightly from the real deal.
7. Pivoting Screen Doors
This is one of the newest types of screen doors to hit the market, and truthfully, it's a fairly odd addition to the family. The reason this screen door is strange deals with its opening mechanism. Rather than work on a typical hinge like most screen doors, this type involves a pivoting joint as its main mechanism for opening and closing.
Most pivoting screen doors are the only doors that are in use because of their unique closure mechanism. As a result, they're mostly used for summer porches and similar constructs. It's uncertain whether or not pivoting screen doors will catch on with mainstream designers. Even so, they're pretty neat.
8. Security Storm Doors
These storm doors sometimes come with screens but often don't. Regardless, they are still considered to be members of the "screen door" family by many contracting companies. Security storm doors are storm doors that are made to be more difficult to enter through the use of metal bars across them.
The bars make it difficult for interlopers to break into your home by breaking the glass. However, there's another perk. They have a highly elegant look to them that makes them popular with brownstones, Victorian homes, and other elegant types of homes. Besides, these are great for hanging up wreaths, too.
Click here to see this storm door on Amazon.
In Closing
Now that you know the 8 types of screen doors, you can make an informed decision on which one is right for your home! These doors range in their attributes, so you're sure to find the perfect one. Before you go, be sure to check out some of our other posts:
It’s nice that you mentioned how there are several different types of screen doors. We just bought an old house and I saw that it has a broken screen door. Instead of replacing it, we should probably just ask for a screen door repair service.