Ideas for nice-looking screen doors for a screened patio?

18 years ago

Finished building our custom home in Tampa, FL in 2005. This is our third summer here and I can't take the mosquitos any more! We have a wonderful patio but can't use it without drenching ourselves in DEET.

Problem is coming up with a screen option that doesn't have your standard "pool cage" type screened door. I was surprised that they told me doing the arches using an aluminum frame would be no problem - but the two guys that have come to bid on the project have no suggestions for anything other than the standard door mentioned above. We had visions of some sort of double-door that could be slid open (during non-mosquito season... all 2 months of that) or otherwise have less obstruction of the view of our backyard. Right now, we want to be able to see well out to where our kids play - but one day, we'll have a more lushly landscaped yard that we'd like to look out on!

The arches are each 8 feet wide.

Looking at the house from the backyard

Looking at the backyard from the house

Here is a link that might be useful: Photos link

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Comments (5)

sierraeast
18 years ago
Here's a link:

Here is a link that might be useful: custom screens
lhildreth
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you! These are certainly decorative and not "ordinary"... a good link indeed!

I realize I should have clarified a bit in my original post... I'm hoping for something that is as "minimal" as possible - and could potentially open wider than a standard door does. Any more thoughts?
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meldy_nva
18 years ago
If I remember correctly, fibreglass screening comes in 50" widths (or maybe 72"). You can have a regular trim carpenter make screens for the necessary width up to the manufactured width. That could include multiple doors, extra-wide doors, sliding screens, and so on. Because of the width between the pillars, you will have to have the screens made in panels, but that is the only limitation I see.
bevangel_i_h8_h0uzz
18 years ago
Have you seen these?

Here is a link that might be useful: Motorized retractable rolling insect screens
bevangel_i_h8_h0uzz
18 years ago
Just looked at your pics again and realized that while the motorized retractable rolling screens I posted earlier might work for three of your four arches, you need something else at the stairway arch so that you have a way for people to come and go. So, here is another website that might be helpful. Don't know if these come in a version tall enough or wide enough to cover your arch but maybe...

Here is a link that might be useful: Insect Screens For Bi-fold And French Doors