Spring is on its way (though residents of the Northeast may not feel that way just yet), and that means it’s the perfect time of year to do some planning on home improvement projects. One such project you might consider is installing retractable screens for porches or your garage, making it easier to enjoy the upcoming warm weather without having to deal with all the bugs that inevitably come along with it. Porch or garage door screens are generally relatively simple products, but you will want to do a little research in order to make sure you’re getting something that will meet your needs at an affordable price. Here are the three things you’ll want out of a screen:
- Something That Can Be Easily Installed Without Help
Many porch and garage door screen kits can be self-installed, and that’s a definite perk if you’re hoping to keep costs down on the project. You should, however, be a bit more specific on your abilities when choosing a screen — some, for example, may take no special training, but do require that you’re able to lift a certain amount of weight. Others may require special tools, so you’ll want to pay attention to that.
- Something That Can Look Attractive When Not in Use
Especially if you want to maximize curb appeal and keep your home value high, you’ll want to consider looks as well as function. That’s one reason retractable screens are preferable to fixed ones; they’re loaded into tubular casings, meaning they virtually disappear when not in use. You’ll need to consider the architecture of your porch or garage when deciding what kind of screen will be least noticeable while still being easy to use.
- Something That Can Handle Any Special Concerns
This tip is necessarily vague, since no one but you knows your special concerns. But there are a few things you should think about: Do you have any short people in your household that you’ll want to be able to reach the screen mechanism (or in the case of children, any short people you don’t want to have access)? Do you have anyone with arthritis that might need accommodation? Do you have any pets that would shred screens not made from heavy-duty materials? Think through exactly which people and animals would likely be using the space and plan accordingly.
Do you have any tips to share on choosing retractable screens for porches or garages? Discuss in the comments.