Screen Doors

Want to open that door without letting in unwelcome guests? Screen doors are the answer! Yes, open that front door and say hello to the fresh air and beautiful outdoor view while saying goodbye to pests, pets, and intruders. Screen doors are basically used in pair with a solid exterior door, and allow one to securely open up the home to light, atmosphere, and the outdoors while stopping unwanted “things” from entering one’s home.

A screen door is generally an outer door that safeguards a main, solid exit door in a home; its purpose is twofold – letting in clean air to make a home’s atmosphere better when the main door is opened, and providing an efficient barrier against varmints, insects, and bugs.

Security screen doors are made differently than standard screen doors, as they have a more weighty responsibility –security. Security screen doors are among the “first line of defense” against intruders; with rising home break-ins, the quality of security screen doors are fitted to provide home owners a very efficient form of safety. Some security screen doors are made of perforated screen material that offers a virtually “tear-proof” character and welded screens to stop the screen from being pushed out.

Another type of screen door that has gained popularity among home owners is the retractable screen door. These doors tend to make life easier as they glide smoothly across a frame for that instant screen door need, and when they’re retracted, they disappear out of sight and out of the way. Retractable screen doors are great for ventilating the home, saving energy costs, and the convenience of being able to conceal them when not needed.

Screen doors are also excellent doors to match those main doors that lead to the pool, front deck, or patio. They allow the views to be unobstructed, let the airflow coming, and allows sound through –very helpful for parents keeping an ear and eye on their kids playing outside.

However, like any other home part, screen doors will have its turn of repairing needed. When this happens, do not panic as screen door repair is easier than you think. Small holes in the door’s screen can be restored by patching up small squares of screen (available in the market) readily cut for patch works.

One needs to measure the hole in the screen (width and height), then add ½” to 1” to the measurement. Place the patch screen over the hole outside the screen, and with the use of a “blunt-tipped needle” and “clear fishing line” whipstitch the patch’s edges to the screen over the hole. Once done, sew around the tear’s edge itself to flatten and stop the hole from becoming bigger.

If the entire screen needs to be replaced, then it’s even easier. The door needs to be removed from the doorway first to make repairing simpler. Find the seal’s edges and pull them out, make sure to remove any small pieces or residue. Measure the area of the screen, add about 2” to the length and width to the replacement screen and cut; lay the screen on the opening and put the weather stripping into the chosen corner, using a flat ended tool slowly push into place around the opening’s edge the weather stripping. Once the screen and weather stripping is thoroughly sealed, the excess screen should be trimmed.

When buying screen doors, look for a screen door with strong metal screens that allow adequate airflow yet can’t be punctured or cut easily. Having secured screen doors also require strong hinges and solid lock. Choosing screen door designs and colors that match one’s main door is also a good idea as it enhances the home’s total look and theme.