I have 2 Retractaway ‘SeasonGuard’ standard height doors from Home Depot. We have small kids and did not want the magnetic ‘slam’ type. The no-slam feature on these work like a single hung window with a string and pulley system on the vertical in the handle. The screen can be left in a partial open position. The company has been in business since 2000 and offers a 10-year warranty. 8′ doors are available thru special order.
We have had problems with the strings breaking due to friction and needed replacement, but it only takes about 5-10 minutes to remove the screen, replace the string, and reinstall the screen. I soaked the last set of strings in silicon spray to see if this helps.
Installation is easy if you have flat casing around the door. If you have angled casing, you may want to change it to flat or shim the receiver plate when installing to make sure it is square and remove the shims when complete. 3 or 4 Drywall screws would work as permanent shim in the casing as well. As always, measure twice, cut once. Dry fit the threshold with the screen cartridge to make sure it will be square to the opening.
I installed one on my garage door to the outside and one on the door between my house and garage. The outside door had flat casing. The inside one, I changed out the casing from angled to flat. Our problem with regular screen doors, the open door would be an obstruction in the walking path. We need to go immediately left and right from the door. Keeping it propped open would not be a doable option for traffic flow. I did have to paint a white strip on the one between the house and a dark garage to keep from walking thru it if both the door and screen was closed.
I think we paid less than $150 each. Are these doors perfect? No. But for the cost and convenience, the doors are a good value.
