Garage door screens
Garage door screens allow light and air to get in and out of a garage and for the air to circulate
and make many air changes per hour. But importantly they also prevent bugs and debris from entering the garage.
In a warm climate, or when the garage door needs to be open for prolonged periods of time, this can be an important addition to a garage.
Door screens also add privacy and extra utility to the garage space if it is used as a workshop or recreation area and modern garage door screens are attractive and pleasing to look at.
Types of door screens
Most door screens are made from a heavy duty material that is sewn by machine, but that lets light and air pass through. This fabric part of the door screen is very similar to the material used for outdoor pool enclosures made using a mesh and it is strong and difficult to damage.
Some garage door screens have a light frame and use a mesh fabric to cover almost the entire surface area, but other more expensive screens replicate a traditional garage door by producing more of a panel like effect.
The most basic screen is made of nothing more than the fabric and has not frame or structure to its construction.
How they work
Door screens can operate in a number of different ways. Dual doors can slide horizontally, meaning that you can only ever have one half of the door’s entrance open. This requires that the doors be moved from one side to the other when two cars need to be moved in or out of a double garage.
Door screens can also side into a holding bay or stack one against another, and some screens can be pulled up and down so that they do not cause an obstruction when not in use.
Basic fabric screens (without a structural frame) can be rolled up and down and use a Velcro (hook and loop) material or a zipper to hold them in place. Screens of this type may also have a zip-to-open access for human entry and exit.
Advantages of garage door screens
- These screens offer a number of advantages, the main ones of which are as follows.
- They allow air, breeze and sunlight to enter the garage.
- They keep bugs, rodents, debris and other people’s pets out of the garage.
- They offer a higher degree of security than can be achieved by simply leaving the garage door open.
- They look attractive (in most cases) and provide function.
- They are highly resilient and difficult to damage. They also have a good resistance to the elements and typical wear and tear and should last for many years.