They have come a long way in the past several years. I have seen some of the newer units that seem to work much better and are very easily serviceable when they do decide to act up. All and all, you can probably still get replacement screens for your existing windows much cheaper. If you really like the functionality of the retractable screens, then it is worth considering.

I am Doug the Screen guy the owner of Screen Solutions Inc the maker of the Plisse screen. While we can never guarantee a pet will not find a way to get under our screens we have had good results lots of customers. Some customers have contacted us after the purchase having problems with their cats and we have been able to help them figure a way to make the Plisse secure. If judander contacts us we may be able to help. Here is a link that might be useful: Plissescreen

L-Lass, I'm in North Carolina, but we sure do have mosquitoes. Off-topic, but has anyone tried that new mosquito stuff that doesn't kill the mosquitoes but prevents them from breeding? We had it for the first time last summer, and wow does it work. Yes, leaving the doors open does sound nice. My idea was that it'd be nice to be able to walk from the dining room straight out the back door ... with the only door to open being the slider in the dining room. I had also considered screening in the whole thing ... keep the exit door in the dining room and have another door straight ahead of it ... now I'm thinking that might be the better option. But, no, I'm not loving the flip-flop idea. I understand about improving other people's things. In my work, I often proofread and critique other people's creative writing /photography, and although I'm not so good at STARTING a project, no one beats me in polishing up other people's work! Cpartist, retractable screens around a whole pool would be so expensive! And -- obviously -- we'll have a fence around the pool /back yard area, so that'll keep out big critters. Glad you like the layout, Autumn! As I said earlier, we'll tweak it a bit here and there, but I'm sold on it, and -- yes -- the kitchen /butler's pantry, and its flow and connection to the rest of the house is kind of the "it" factor that attracted us to it. We have a garage issue, which I think I'll post in a separate thread, but I think it's do-able.

I have to agree with Hallett & Co. We are a direct competitor of Phantom Screens, but our retractable screens are stored horizontally with a panel box to hide the screen when not in use.