Doors Dictionary

Screen doors are a practical means of keeping out flies, mosquitoes and insects during the summer months. There are a number of door types available on the market; however traditionally the main types are either hinged swinging door or sliding screen doors. The hinged type is for the traditional door and a sliding version is suitable for your sliding patio doors. With these screen in place the main door can be left open thus allowing frest air to circulate the room and keeping the small unwanted guests out.

Both types have their own inherent advantages and disadvantages.

A sliding screen door is a practical solution and takes up the minimal of space to operate. They are usually well constructed in aluminium, steel or PVC and slide open and close effortlessly with the aid of rollers on tracks. If the mesh however is damaged on the screen door it is quite often difficult to repair due to the nature of the overall mechanism.

With a hinged door screen on the other hand, they open and close like a traditional door and therefore require free space outside the main entrance door to operate. Retractable screen doors for this reason have the advantage.

People quite often accidentally walk into these doors causing damage and the hinged type door screens are forever slamming shut behind you as you walk through them.

In many cases these screens are fitted retrospectively over doors and windows, fixed to the existing frames or walls and therefore can cause damage to the existing. The frames when fitted are usually permanent and can hinder the cleaning and maintenance of the existing main doors and windows.

There is an alternative to the hinge door and the retractable screen door.

 It is lightweight, removable when not required, relatively inexpensive and easy to install….

The Lightweight Screen 

This type consists of a lightweight curtain like screen in two halves, fitted into the existing door opening. Each half is supported on a tension type rod fitted at the head of the door opening and will not cause any damage to the existing door frames. The screen splits in the middle, but each half overlaps each other by approximately 50 mm (2”). When separated by someone walking through them they quickly settle down again by gravity and each curtain leaf snaps to each other by means of a magnetic strip sealing the screen shut. The closing force is also assisted by a weight along the bottom edge of each screen leaf. The magnetic strip and bottom weight are sewn into and blend with the screen fabric. They are easy to fit and easily removed for cleaning purposes or storing.

The main advantage is that there is no need to have a free hand to pull open or slide the screen door in order to go through them. You simply walk through and they will reseal after you. They are especially useful if you are carrying something with both hands. Pets can effortlessly walk through them and you will have the assurance that the screen will seal again.

The mesh is a soft fibreglass mesh and with the aid of the weights and magnetic strips they close and seal quietly with none of the slamming shut as with the traditional hinged screen.

Because of their portability they are particularly suitable when having a party. The main house doors can be left fully opened with the screens in place without worrying about the entry of unwanted flies and insects when people are walking in and out. When the party is over the screens can easily be removed and stored away.

They are available in a range of standard sizes to suit most situations (Refer to table below for standard sizes).

If you are thinking creating a patio area to the rear of your home you will want to read about folding sliding doors and sliding glass door systems. A sliding patio door will be a great addition to your home and it may even increase its value.

Want to automate your garage door, then you will want to read our guide for wooden garage door opening mechanisms.

Do you fancy installing French doors then try reading all about PVC French doors.

To improve your security around the home try reading our steel security door guide.

The choice is yours……