Andersen's retractable screen door

[Bob Dylan]

Has anyone any experience with the retractable screen Andersen sells for their outswing Frenchwood hinged door? It is an expensive add-on option.

A spring mechanism retracts the screen into a head-to-sill length cartridge mounted alongside the jamb-casing, and keeps the screen taut when deployed. Since the whole shebang is inside and out of the weather, there should not be any concern about exposure issues.

The questions are a.) how does it look, and b.) will it bear up in extended use?

As a side note, I posted this on another forum and have yet to see a response. With the level of building here at practically zero, and since it is likely as slow everywhere as it is here, I am not surprised that responses to queries like these take longer.

[tjbnwi]

I have not used the Andersen but I have installed the ODL unit;

http://www.odl.com/screens/retractable/info.php

Biggest problem I have heard of is people walking into them. There is no center or "large" top and bottom rail to catch the eye. The ODL units are self reloading to make up for this.

The ODL units are mounted outside and so far so good. Looks fine to me and my customers but again the screen cylinder is not seen from inside the room.

I have done a few Pella self closing units and they operated well.

Tj

[Pete Engle]

I've seen durability issues with all of the self-retracting screens, especially at the top and bottom edges, where the screens get hung up on stuff, get worn, etc. Several owners have told me they would not buy them again. Not sure which brands, but I can't say I've seen much difference.

[KsLumberSales]

If the customer has kids or pets they are a nightmare to keep working.

I would steer them away from the product, Andersen's or any other manufacturer.

[always-learning]

If you live at, or near the ocean, then don't bother.


Sand is not a retractable screens friend. Standard screen doors rolling hardware won't last long either, but the screens suck the sand into the winding mechanism and it begins to stick or become difficult to open or close.


Changing it out because your cat loves to scratch screen doors is another good reason not to get it.

[aerieandy]

I had the same question recently for my window/ door guy, the logic being that he talks to lots of other GCs and supports his Anderson products. He was pretty honest about the feedback he's gotten and all but said "skip it".
I think they would be great in very limited applications, like an empty nester home with no pets for doors that never get used :)

Andy

[Fredremodeler]

I installed Andersen one, and the owners dog took it out within a week. It was a bit of a process to get it working again.

[Kowboy]

Owned one. Junk.

Kowboy

[Mark White]

Installed one in my own house 2 years ago, was messed up within 6 months, tattered at top and bottom and is barely functional today. Poor design but attractive concept. Another manufacturer (forget which one but I see them at home shows) claims better success. Have to check it out sometime...
Don't waste your money on Anderson's screen.

[thehis]

Stay away from the Anderson and especially the ODL. We actually have Anderson Dealers that use ours OEM instead- if you don't buy a Clearview the only other to consider is a Phantom- the rest are highly suspect
http://www.thehis.com/clearview_retr..._overview.html
Retractable Screen Doors have a big range when it comes to quality

[bluejae]

Just finished installing four 200 series units 6' 11" tall with retractable screens.... STAY AWAY!!! They bind something fierce especially at the heights I installed, the top almost always wants to bind due to the fact that the main door handle is at 36" off the floor and the screen door handle is above that. To back this fact up, I actually spoke to the product line manager at the IBS in Las Vegas a week ago, and he admitted this was a problem.

[Kgphoto]

The Phantom is probably the best. There are several knock offs with varying degrees of success at the knock off. OK for contentiousness homeowners.

[dianne_p]

I have installed Anderson's retractable screens 1 year ago but it was really a big mess. Poor quality. I would suggest for Mirage Retractable Screens. I have installed it in my house and got good compliments on it. I really got what I need.

[Randy Bush]

I put a Anderson 1/2 retractable screen in my own house a few years back. Would not buy one again. The screen has issues going up and down , really have to be careful with it. And with the screen being so close to the top you can only put one closer on it, right at the very bottom. In windy area like ours the door does not hold up. After the wind catches it and breaks it will replace it with a different brand.

Randy

[JayNos]

That is probably the most spam per useful post in a thread ever.