We had retractable screens at our old house and had them installed on the double family room doors in the new house. I really love them. Ours are Phantom screens. They seem to take a fair amount of abuse and are self mending when they're retracted. We had one wrecked by a dog ( he was old and didn't see very well and ran thru it when he heard a dog outside). The repair was about $60 for a new screen. Our doors all open inward, but I don't see why you couldn't use them with your doors, too.

Self-mending? That is awesome. Thank you!!!

It will have a significant impact on the floorplan if we can have doors swinging outward. I do think it makes more sense. Except if snow gets blown up against them and they are hard to open. But if they deal with it in Scandanavia then it must be doable :)

Anyone else?

We purchased a storm door with a retractable screen. I can't check the brand until I get home, however, we found that a brisk wind will blow the screen out of it's track. When you retract it, it realigns, but a strong breeze will blow it out again.

We really wanted outswing french doors for our dining room but the architect said there would not be enough weather protection with that type of door. Our weather is so mild (SF Bay area), I still don't quite understand it but we're trusting his judgement.

Anyway, we have friends with outswing french doors and they have the phantom screens and really like them.

Blindstar--yes, would love to know the brand so I can avoid it! altho we will just have the screens, no storm door.

Jan, I wish that thread about outswinging doors was still here..I think it has fallen off. As I recall it seemed to be one of those things architects are dubious about without a solid reason. (I say that with all due respect to our architect, who is also a dear friend...every profession seems to have its little pieties.) If it's not too late and you wish you had outswing maybe you could get yours to reconsider...

and that's two votes for Phantom. I assume your friends have the actual brand Phantom? (ie not using that as a generic term)

thanks! Holly

Me again. Just wanted to add that when our Phantom screens got off the track, it was for a definite reason. It was actually very hard to do. Regular screens push out or get out of shape when they're not used properly, too, and I've always felt that our Phantoms could take most anything within reason. The one thing you do have to remember is to keep the tracks clean and to spray the tracks once in a while with the silicone spray they give you.

We have just had our outswinging French doors installed. They are Jeld-Wen Siteline EX, Model SCHD-4068FO, 48-in. x 79 ½ in. with natural pine interior and chestnut bronze aluminum exterior.

jan_s, the aluminum-clad exterior is supposed to be quite weather resistant, and we also chose stainless steel hinges for the same reason. So you might want to get back to your architect with this.

We were going to get the Phantom screen but chose not to do so because we have screened windows in the room which should be sufficient for ventilation. But a relative has a retractable screen and I think it's just great.

We had outward-opening French doors installed years ago in our kitchen (like the ones in the house I grew up in, in London!). They're Anderson. The retractable screen was also from Anderson. The quality is very good. The only (small) disadvantage with the screen is that, once both doors are wide open, people tend not to notice the screen in place, and walk into it.

On the other hand, it's soft and can easily be put back into the track, whereas the old metal ones that my DH walked into one night, actually cut his scalp.

The doors were the one "non-negotiable" about re-doing the kitchen: I love standing at the table, preparing dinner, with the doors wide open, as the sun sinks behind the trees and casts dappled light all around. Just wonderful.

I have Phantom Screens on my doors as well as Phantom's Serene Screens for my windows.

*PROS*
-crystal clear unobstructed view out of your windows; it's amazing what a difference that makes.

*CONS*
-they are a bit high maintenance because you have to periodically silicone spray the tracks and keep them clean or they won't glide smoothly
-high winds could cause them to retract. we had two magnets installed per screen as extra insurance.
-they are PRICEY - approximately $500 per door and $200 per window.
-if your window screens are mounted on the outside (for example when there isn't enough clearance for an inside mount), you need to use a telescoping wand to pull the screen down, which is a bit of a hassle. We only keep the window Serene screens down during the fall and spring which is when we typically open the windows.

Geez, it looks like the cons outweigh the pros! Nevertheless, I highly recommend them.

We had a retractable Andersen screen that came with our Andersen sliding patio doors. I recall it being pricey. It lasted less than two summers. We found that the screen came off the track easily, and since it wasn't conscientiously replaced in the track every time, it ended up getting ripped at the top and being a general PITA.

It was disappointing in that we really like the retractable screen concept. Maybe other brands are better.

In the end, we replaced it with a run-of-mill sliding screen door from a big box.