7 Best Retractable Screen Door Manufacturers For Homeowners
You have likely been scouring the internet, google, youtube, tik-tok, and maybe even reddit to make this decision. Clearly you are a person that does their homework when it comes to home improvement. Case in point how long have you been researching for the best retractable screen door?
Obviously, I am biased. But it’s important to know that’s because I’ve been in this business for over 20 years, and know the ins and outs of the retractable screen doors industry like the back of my hand. I used this knowledge to make what I believe is the best retractable screen door. So keeping that all in mind- here is a more detailed comparison of the top retractable screen manufacturers.
The Selection Criteria
Function and ease of use: Does the retractable screen actually retract, and retract well?
Durability: What is the realistic lifespan of the screen door.
Looks: The whole concept of a retractable screen door is that you don’t notice it.
Customer Satisfaction Reviews: The internet speaks for itself
Installation and Support: The question of professional vs a DIY project is important. Is there a difference between the two, and then it’s important to know how much you can get if something goes wrong.
Price: Everybody cares about price. I think the issue isn’t price as much as it is value.
Innovation: Is there anything different, I mean, really different about one retractable screen manufacturer over another?
Top Retractable Screen Brands
Phantom Screens
Phantom Screens are the Rose Bowl of retractable screen doors. They are the grand-daddy of them all. Until about 5 years ago if you only have heard of one brand of retractable screen door, this was likely the one (but it is just as likely you never heard of any brand). For the sake of an apples to comparison we are specifically talking about the “Legacy” model that is the most installed retractable screen door in the country- not just for Phantom, but rather for ANY retractable screen door.
Durability: Phantom gets a 5/5 here. They work. They continue to work and set the standard 30 years ago.
Looks: Unfortunately, they haven’t updated their looks in the past 30 years. They are a bit, well, industrial in many people’s opinion. Furthermore, the back of their unit is open so you can be looking at a dirty screen mesh from the inside of your home
Customer Satisfaction Reviews: This is mainly a positive for Phantom. Of course, there are regional differences depending on your local distributor – so check online for yourself locally.
Installation and Support: The largest name in the business, they manufacture in Canada, and have plenty of stock and people who can help
Price: Among the most expensive, if not the absolute most expensive option for a typical retractable screen door.
Innovation: The Legacy Screen works, but there is nothing it has that all the other brands do not.
Casper Screen Doors
Casper Screen is an interesting one. Originally sold as “Reel Screens” the company changed hands in the early 2000s and kept most of the design from what I can tell. Originally only sold as a “professionally installed” retractable screen door they now offer DIY options for the exact same product
Durability: This is Caspers Achille’s heel. For most Apollo distributors with a Casper dealer in their area, this is the screen that we replace the most. A totally different tracking system and a dirt trapping bottom track, in addition to thinner aluminum frames from most of the major manufacturers listed here, this is a real concern.
Looks: Nothing to knock here, Casper screen are mainly non-descript, which is perfect for being a near “invisible” screen door. The only par that really stands out is the visible fuzz or felt in the top and bottom track
Customer Satisfaction Reviews: A mixed bag. Look for yourself. The main location is in San Diego- some people love them, some people not so much.
Installation and Support: OK this one depends. As a DIY project this is a much easier retractable screen door to install than some of the others. This is in part because there are fewer adaptors, and often times the full track is a tripping hazard that cannot be adapted to be flush to the threshold. Support seems mixed based upon online reviews.
Price: Casper is the 2nd least expensive of the retractable screen doors mentioned here
Innovation: Not much to report here. Handles that can slide up and down, but I’m not really sure how that helps.
Metro Screen Works
Metro Screen Works is mentioned in this list because of the search volume. They are an online retailer that sells to homeowners and contractors alike. They actually don’t have a retractable screen door that they manufacture, most of the time it appears to be the Genius Screen system, but since you likely found them online, I figured they warranted an explanation.
Mirage Retractable Screen Doors
Perhaps the original competitor to Phantom, Mirage bears many of the same characteristics as the Phantom Legacy Retractable Screen Door. More field friendly to cut to size, it’s really more optimized for the mobile screen guys with a trailer rather than a specialist in retractable screen doors.
Durability: Exactly the same as Phantom. No durability issues whatsoever
Looks: Again, much like Phantom. Exposed screws, industrial housings , and no back cover- the screen mesh is exposed to view from inside your home in many if not most cases.
Customer Satisfaction Reviews: This is all over the map, but to be fair it’s not usually because of the product itself. This has more to do with the Mirage’s distribution and the local dealer who may or may not be well trained.
Installation and Support: The most friendly field fabrication of the “quality” retractable screen doors, Mirage uses larger plastic pieces to help the fabricator use one cut and less math to assemble their units. Their distribution model encourages screen companies to carry stock in the field which can lead to colors that may not match as well, or adapters that aren’t the best fit of the company’s full portfolio.
Price: Typically on the mid-high tier, but very little standard pricing region by region.
Innovation: Mirage has a pivot handle option to break the magnet on the door. From feedback I’ve received from some installers, its difficult to fabricate, so they have to charge quite a bit for the upgrade. An upgrade, but a questionable value add.
Clearview Retractable Screen Doors
Fabricated in San Jose, ClearView is a solid retractable screen door with a less than solid support network.
Durability: ClearView Screens hold up well over time with little maintenance. Silicone spray is required, however.
Looks: Unfortunately, they haven’t updated their looks in the past 20 years. They are a bit, well, dated in my opnion. Plastic handles that looked modern in the early 2000s don’t have the same appeal. The unit in general is designed to look like “OG’ moulding, again a popular feature in crown moulding and countertops in the 2000s
Customer Satisfaction Reviews: This is mainly a positive for ClearView. Of course, there are regional differences depending on your local distributor – so check online for yourself locally.
Price: Among the most expensive, if not the absolute most expensive option for a typical retractable screen door.
Innovation: Invented by Dennis and Daryl Grubb, the formerly patented speed reducer was the best and only working one in the industry. Not much since then, and a similar speed reducer is now available among several brands, including Mirage, Stoett, and Apollo.
Genius “Costco” Screen
Currently, as of this writing this is the most searched retractable screen door on the internet. The Costco support really goes a long way. 100 percent DYI
Durability: I can’t really speak of this, I’m afraid. Customers who purchase this unit to install themselves are not likely to ever upgrade or replace it with a professional retractable screen door, so I’m not as familiar with its longevity.
Looks: This is the toughest part. If you are picky, you will notice a lot of plastic that doesn’t match the form or design of the overall screen door. That’s because it’s designed to be expandable so you can install it yourself.
Customer Satisfaction Reviews: Again this is tough- for a DIY retractable screen door this is the one. If you are picky and want a seamless, solid experience that feels like it was always part of the home, probably not the best.
Installation and Support: Of all the retractable screen doors, this is by far the best retractable screen as far as installation goes. Support, that depends. You can always return it at Costco, but if you are looking for support from Genius, be prepared to stay on hold to get someone really knowledgeable.
Price: The absolute cheapest.
Innovation: None
Why Choose Apollo as the Best Retractable Screen Door
We took what we liked in the industry and improved upon it. Phantom, Mirage, Wizard, and ClearView are all basically the same screen system with different looks but nearly identical tracking systems that don’t fail. So we used that as a base and focused on the customer experience and the looks. Our handle is the big winner here in my opinion. Die cast metal and strong, but comfortable to grip, you really feel the difference.
Durability: Limited lifetime warranty that Apollo stands behind- much like the other top retractable screen door brands.
Looks: The most modern of all of the brands, with the least amount of visible screws or fasteners. Even the screws for Apollo magnets have cover so and Apollo Retractable Screen looks the most “finished”
Customer Satisfaction Reviews: Of all brands, do a search for Apollo Retractable Screen Doors and find the companies installing them. You won’t a brand that has more 5 star reviews.
Installation and Support: Apollo is designed to blend in as much or more than any other brand. As far as support goes- we answer the phone. Hard to believe in this day and age, but its’ our tentpole!
Price: Usually less than Phantom and Clear View, but not the least expensive.
Innovation: Magnets built into caps, more profiles than any other brands, the haptic metal handle, internal magnet and latch options, and more every year!
