The 6 Best Garage Door Screens of 2024 (2024)

Home Rooms Garage

Updated: Jun. 17, 2024

After extensive research and evaluation, these are the best garage door screens you can buy to enjoy the cool air without the bugs.

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With zippers on both sides as well as the center, this Fresh Air Screens garage door screen provides a reliable seal against bugs and leaves, as well as the option to raise half the screen if desired. This versatile three-zipper design allows for quick access to your garage without rolling up the entire screen. This is especially useful for those with frequent vehicle traffic.

It’s also great when using the garage as a functional workshop. This screen uses a sturdy hook-and-loop attachment system for installation and is available in two different colors to better match your garage. You can also purchase a rope and pull kit separately, providing a convenient pulley system for raising and securing the screen in place.

Pros

• Versatile two-panel design
• Made of tear-resistant fiberglass mesh
• Easy to install
• Range of size options available

Cons

• Appearance may not meet your aesthetic needs

Thanks to the low price and sturdy, 60g fiberglass construction of the Lasla Magnetic Garage Screen Door, even those on a limited budget can enjoy the benefits of a full-size garage door screen. Strong magnets provide a secure closure that kids and pets can still open hands-free. Plus, a weighted bottom keeps the screen taut and close to the ground.

Installation is a simple process, and the adhesive strips and pushpins required are all included. When winter rolls around, simply peel off the velcro and roll up the screen, using the included straps to keep everything nice and tidy until you’re ready to use it again.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Simple to install
• Includes storage strap
• Strong fiberglass construction

Cons

• Not as durable as higher-end options

It’s not cheap, but the rigid stability and retractable design of the Lifestyle Screens Garage Door Screen could certainly be worth the investment to the right homeowner. Unlike flexible screens that need to be rolled up or slid aside, this screen runs on a steel track—similar to the one your garage door uses.

Its spring-loaded system allows anyone to easily lift, raise and lower it in just a few seconds. You can even customize its layout! Moreover, the optional center sliding door provides convenient pass-through access without retracting the entire screen.

Pros

• Retracts completely out of the way
• Spring-loaded for easy movement
• Center sliding door
• Available in multiple colors

Cons

• Installation is more challenging than flexible screens

If you’re interested in a basic screen that’s simple to get out of the way temporarily, this two-zipper version from Fresh Air Screens is a great option. A vinyl pocket on the bottom edge holds a rigid rod (not included), providing the necessary structure to quickly and easily roll up the entire garage door screen. Buckled straps hold the rolled-up screen in place.

When you’re ready to roll it back down, zippers on either side ensure that a tight seal is maintained against bugs and debris. Choose between black or white hook-and-loop attachments to better match your garage aesthetic.

Pros

• Rolls up without needing to remove the entire unit
• Straps hold screen in place at top
• Zippers create tight seal
• Can customize the adhesive loop

Cons

• Rolling rod not included

Mounted on an overhead track system, the Pick for Life Sliding Garage Door Screen slides open and closes in seconds. This curtain-style screen operates much faster than roll-up options, which is perfect for those who want to minimize the time available for flying insects to enter while enjoying their mancave.

With 16 weights sewn into the bottom of the screen, this model resists wind and maintains a seal with the bottom of the garage frame. When you’re ready to open the entire screen, a built-in tie belt keeps it secured to one side. This screen is available in both single and double-car garage sizes.

Pros

• Extremely convenient to open and close
• Durable aluminum track
• Weighted bottom keeps its shape
• Heavy duty screen

Cons

• Installation is more intensive than roll-up screens

Despite being narrow enough to fit standard single-car garages, this Pick for Life magnetic screen still provides a center seam for convenient access. It installs in just a few minutes with hook and loop strips and includes optional push pins for those looking for a more robust, secure attachment. The durable mesh is corrosion and tear-resistant and uses reinforced edges to further resist wear and tear.

Magnets sewn into the vertical entryway—as opposed to glued on the outside—create a tight, powerful connection that’s still easy to detach when necessary. This compact size also folds up neatly when it’s time to store inside the garage for the winter.

Pros

• Easy access two-panel design
• Weighted bottom for structure
• Straps for roll-up storage
  
• Made of fireproof, tear- and corrosion-resistant fiberglass

Cons

• May not be strong enough for windy climates

What to Look for When Buying a Garage Door Screen

User-friendly Installation: Garage door screens use different installation methods, so consider your budgetary and physical capabilities before purchasing one. Flexible hanging screens typically attach to the outer garage door frame using hook and loop adhesive strips (i.e. velcro), which is easier for less experienced DIY-ers to install than rigid screens that use a fixed track to lift up and down. These retractable garage door screens may even require professional installation, so keep those extra costs in mind as well.

Effective Closure System: Make sure the screen uses a closure system that works with you and your garage’s accessibility needs. Screens that use magnets are easy to open and close and are better for those who plan on walking or driving through the screen often. Zippered screens provide a tighter seal, but aren’t as convenient to open and close frequently.

Easy Storage: The most convenient garage door screens are easy to remove when you’re not using them, so look for options that have built-in straps to keep them out of the way when rolled up, or retract completely out of the way on fixed tracks.

Matching Color: The best garage door screen for your home is one that doesn’t look out of place or temporary. While most screens are the same dark color, some brands offer different colored adhesive strips that better match your garage door frame.

Why You Should Trust Us

I’ve spent more than five years as a residential and commercial carpenter specializing in custom furniture construction and installation. Now, I use my hands-on experience and expertise to craft product reviews and buying guides in the home improvement, DIY and appliance space.

How We Found the Best Garage Door Screens

When selecting the products for this list, we first called upon our own personal experience using garage door screens during muggy Florida evenings. We then used several important criteria to evaluate potential options and ensure that we only included the best garage door screens available. The models included provide a complete seal to keep out insects, whether that was through magnetic or zippered seams. Also, several options used hook and loop strips to connect roll-up screens to the door frame, as these are the most user-friendly to install and use. For more expensive, fully-retractable screens we only included an option with clear instructions and a well-respected customer service presence to minimize any installation issues.

People Also Ask

How much do garage screen doors cost?

Flexible garage door screens that use magnets to close cost from $30 to $100. Sturdier screens that typically use zippers or run on sliding horizontal tracks range from roughly $100 to $500. Rigid screens that run on a vertical track and raise and lower like a garage door can cost from $1000 to over $2000, plus the cost of installation.

Are garage screens worth it?

If you’re interested in enjoying fresh air without dealing with annoying insects, a garage door screen could definitely be worth it. They also have the added benefit of creating a subtle barrier against nosy neighbors or would-be thieves. Plus, since they’re harder to see through from the outside, they add a layer of privacy as well.

I’ve personally found that sturdy, retractable garage door screens have the added benefit of allowing pets to enjoy the same fresh air without having to worry about them wandering off or staying tethered to a leash all day.

Can you put a screen inside the garage door?

Yes, retractable screen doors that use fixed tracks to move up and down are installed on the inside of the garage door. That said, you cannot have both doors lowered at the same time.

Originally Published: September 29, 2023