I'm interested in re-opening this thread as we just put a parlor floor deck on the rear of our house last fall, and put a custom OUTSWING door to the deck since the kitchen right inside is small (we're in NYC), knowing we would want a retractable screen this spring. Well, it's nice out and I want to leave the door open but really can't without a screen so it's time to get one ASAP. Our door isn't that wide (31.5") so I'm concerned about a frame making the width too narrow. I don't want something so "framed out" that we lose too much width. Also, we have cats one of whom always wants to go outside and might push against the screen, so I'd want something sturdy once it's closed so he only goes outside when we open the door to let him. (Once the cat learns it won't give way he won't try much more but at the beginning we need sturdy) we also have kids some of whom may push against it without realizing it's there. I've been researching this and have learned that Mirage (based in Canada) and Screenmobile (based in CA) use dealers that won't work in New York City (although the Screenmobile dealer in West Caldwell New Jersey was really nice and helpful and knowledgeable today), and Phantom is a floating mesh system and might not be pet-resistant (and including installation will cost around $500, which sounds high to me). Lowe's carries the Larson 39x81 for $160 or $200 including delivery, but it's either possibly overly framed out or has no bottom frame so my cat could render it relatively useless. And Home Depot has the ODL which is $120 or so but a dealer warned me that it's a relatively cheap product and "you get what you pay for" and suggested I go with the Phantom dealer in Brooklyn. I plan to go to his showroom but also wanted to ask others' opinions. ODL doesnâÂÂt seem that bad and itâÂÂs still on my list. Has anyone heard of Window Fix Inc? Any suggestions generally? Is $500 reasonable vs. $120-$200 from a Home Depot or LoweâÂÂs thus returnable if we donâÂÂt customize it and it just doesnâÂÂt work? IâÂÂm tempted to go the big box route this year and upgrade in a year or two if we need to. Thoughts?

Phantom is the only screen on the market that if someone was to not see it (which in our case ALL the time at my mother-in-laws house) and walk into it that it will automatically retract and not break. It has no frame at the top and bottom only at the sides. It does slam if released without holding on. Worth the money for not having a blown out screen.

I’m not familiar with the magnetic but we do have the retractable. The track needs to be keep free of debris and the user needs to be exacting to operate (so little kids and anyone with mobility issues would probably have issues with it). We have teens in our house so it works for us. But if I would do it again I’d try harder for a nice modern simple screen door. I’ll also add that if you entertain a lot the retractable can be an issue with people not familiar with it. It can get jammed up pretty easily (usually easily fixed as well - so far). Hopefully you will get someone to answer about the magnetic option.

Do you have recessed downlights over the door? That would help at night. During the day, short of facing your door with mirrors, no color that is appropriate for the home is going to show up in the dark recess.