Screen doors are a great way to get fresh air into your home and to enjoy the outdoors, but they can also be unsightly. Removable screens can also be troublesome to install during the spring and remove in the fall, leading many homeowners to allow their screen doors to go unused. Retractable screens offer a great alternative to this seasonal process. Instead of having a screen door that is visible year-round or having to deal with installing and storing panels, retractable doors allow you to simply move them out of the way when you don't need them.

In addition to being functionally effective, retractable screens are also an excellent way to add value to your home. While small improvements like this do not necessarily add tremendous amounts of value to a home on their own, they significantly increase your curb appeal and can lead to much better first impressions from buyers. If you're ready to add this impressive feature to your home, there are a few things you should know about retractable screen door installations.

You Have Options for Almost Any Door Type

In addition to being unwieldy, traditional screen doors have another significant disadvantage: they can usually only be installed on single doors. Depending on the type of retractable door that you choose, you should be able to install it on any door in your home. This flexibility means that retractable screen doors can be installed on double-wide entrance doors and even unusually shaped or large doors. Many manufacturers produce retractable door cartridges that fit a variety of standard size doors, and professional installers can usually find an option that will work for any entranceway.

They Aren't Permanent

Most doors of this type install using clips or specialized fasteners that mount to your existing door frame. Removing your retractable door for any reason is generally a simple process that shouldn't take more than thirty minutes. This ease of removal can be helpful if you decide to switch to another type of door in the future or if you need to perform maintenance or replace your standard door.

You Won't Necessarily Need Professional Installation

Most retractable screen doors consist of a cartridge that allows the screen to deploy and retract along with a track that installs around your existing door frame. Professional installation of a retractable door shouldn't take more than twenty or thirty minutes, and if you are handy with basic tools then you should be able to do the job in an hour or less. Installing your new door yourself can be a great way to save some money. However, if you are uncomfortable with the job, you should always have a professional do the work for you instead. 

Contact a retractable screen door company near you to learn more.