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5 Best Motorized Retractable Patio Screens

5 Best Motorized Retractable Patio Screens

If you are trying to decide on what brand of motorized retractable patio screen to buy you've probably been looking at one of the following: Apollo, Phantom, Terra Summer, Progressive, or Universal Screens. All of these motorized screens companies can significantly improve your outdoor living space, allowing airflow and creating a comfortable environment with some of the latest technology. These are not yet in every one of your neighbor's homes, you'll be one of the first, so how do you appreciate which brand is best for you? This article will explore durability, , aesthetics, and functionality of the top 5 patio screens manufacturers so you can decide on your own best option.

Key Points

If you don't want to sift through the whole article and you just want to know some key points here they are:

  • All of these brands represent high-quality options
  • Installation is as important as the brand, you need to make sure your contractor is experienced with motorized patio shades
  • Apollo Patio Screens are renown for their innovation, modern looks and homeowners reviews
  • Phantom Executive Screens are the oldest and largest of the manufacturers
  • Terra Summer is a great diy retractable patio screens option, they also offer louvered pergolas
  • Progressive makes Magna Track, the best for strong winds (hurricane force) if you were to be crazy enough to leave your screens down in a hurricane
  • Universal is a well made screen that is best for openings that aren't too big, giving you a little less flexibility

Our Selection Points

When looking for manufacturers of the best motorized retractable patio screens we had to consider several points. These are massive upgrades to your outdoor living space, and have dozens of unique applications. Your best option may include the unique features you are looking for, like ventilation vs visibility, weather conditions and wind resistance vs UV protection. Looks, ease of ordering, expert installation, warranties and durability are important as well.

Apollo Motorized Patio Screens

Deciding on Apollo for your outdoor living space puts you in the category of someone who has to have the latest and the greatest, and super high-quality. In this case it also means you want the best protection of your investment. Apollo started over two decades ago as an installation company, and realized that most manufacturers don't appreciate the homeowners needs and the flexibility of each installation.

As a result Apollo focuses on the things that worked for other brands, eliminated the ideas that didn't and has pushed the world of retractable porch screens to innovate and adapt. Made in the USA and a family owned business, Apollo separates itself from the rest.

Here are some of key differences with Apollo Screens:

  • Quality Materials: Thicker, stronger aluminum than the rest, and each order is custom-powder coating
  • Experts at Patio Screens:A nationwide network of local, factory trained installation and service technicians
  • Looks: The smallest and most modern look of all the brands, allowing them to blend seamlessly into every home
  • Durability : The longest motor warranty (Up to 7 Years) and fabric warranty (15 years)
  • Options: 13 Standard colors and hundreds of fabrics for protection in all conditions
  • Versatility: Apollo systems can go as large as 30 feet with the same small housing!

Apollo is, of course, our favorite patio screen system.

Phantom Executive Screen

Phantom Executive Screens

Phantom Executive Screens are the grand-daddy of power screens. They have been around since the early 2000s and are a Canadian based manufacturer of retractable screens and motorized screens

Some Key Points of Phantom Executive Screens:

  • Volume: There is no such thing as a household name in the world of best motorized retractable patio screens, but if there were one, Phantom would be it.
  • Reliability: See Above - Phantom has been here and is likely to stay, so the brand is reliable
  • Warranties: Phantom offers the Somfy warranties, but at the time of this writing does not warranty the screen or shade mesh at all

With Phantom Screens you are going with the closest thing to a well-known brand. It may not offer the most, or the best, but is a safe and solid option that works well and will for years.

Terra Summer XL Screen

Terra Summer XL Motorized Screens

Terra Summer is perhaps the leader in diy retractable patio screens. They offer a number of upgrades for your outdoor living space if you're a weekend warrior that wants high-quality but is willing to do the work yourself.

Features of Terra Summer Patio Screens

  • Size Limitations: Terra Summer screens, even the XL only go up to 20 feet, so not the most protection if you have a larger patio or porch
  • Colors: 12 Standard Colors- 2nd most in this group!
  • Fabrics: Only 6, what you would probably expect from an online importer
  • DIY: This is the only DIY in the group, with instructions on measuring and installation available online

If you are a handy kind of person, and want to save some money, Terra Summer is likely the way to go. Be warned, this is not that easy!

Universal Motion Screen

Universal Motion Screens

Universal is an interesting brand. One of the pioneers of zipper track technology (back when they were a division of ClearView Motion Screens), they were recently purchased by Hunter Douglas and have the largest factory in the business located in Plano Texas. A solid all around system.

Highlights and Points of Universal Screens

  • Made in the USA: With the exception of Terra Summer, the other brands listed here are made in the USA or Canada (Phantom) but Universal is made right in the middle - Texas!
  • Growing Dealer Network: Universal has been one of the fasted growing brands of the past decade, and they offer a regular in-depth training course for their dealers at their facility
  • Size Limitations: Universal Screen prefers not to go over 19 feet wide
  • Price: Typically, but not always, Universal is less expensive than the other professionally installed brands of motorized patio screens
  • Plastic: It is interesting to note that Universal is the only company on this list that uses plastic end caps rather than metal.

Universal is a well made screen growing in popularity. While not the most innovative, their simple solution still offers protection from the elements in most conditions.

 

Progressive Magna Track Screens

The last company on this list, Progressive is marketed as the choice for strong winds and hurricanes. Also a member of the Hunter Douglas group, their system incorporates magnets into the tracks to lock the fabric in place, in theory stronger than the zipper or keder systems by most other brands. This beefy retractable patio screen does come with a few caveats, however. The magnets inside the track make the system quite a bit noisier than its zipper tracked alternatives. The size of the housing is also the largest of the group. Lastly, you have to consider when you would have your screens exposed in hurricane-like conditions. While the fabric may hold, the tracks may rip off the wall before the fabric gives.

Highlights and Points of Magna Track Screens

  • Strong in Winds: While zipper track units tend to work very will in windy environments, Magna track even holds in hurricanes
  • Size: The biggest container of the group, make sure it won't affect your home's look too much.
  • Price: Easily the most expensive shade or screen

Which is the best motorized retractable patio screen?

Ultimately, that's for you to decide. We built Apollo to solve all the problems that needed solving, and offer the best looking, most efficient unit we could. If you are looking for hurricane protection you might consider Progressive's system. Do it yourself patio screeners will likely prefer Terra Summer. Phantom motorized screens, and Universal's system would be a great choice as well!

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Author: Sam Steinberg

 

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