Adding Phantom Screens to my Exterior Doors
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy
Slowly but surely, I’ve been posting about the details of all the changes and updates from my recent kitchen makeover. Today, I want to tell you more about the wonderful Phantom Screens (a retractable screen door) I added to my exterior doors.
As you saw in my kitchen remodel reveal post, I updated two exterior doors as part of the project. I added a Dutch door in the kitchen and replaced the French doors in the dining room.
Thank you to Phantom Screens for providing me with the doors and installation for this project. The opinions and thoughts are my own.
I wanted to add a screen door to each of those doors. However, given that both are unique in style, the screen door needed to be just as unique. I wanted screen doors that would function well but not interfere with my views or change the clean look of the new doors. Enter retractable screen doors (a.k.a. Phantom Screens)!
I realized that Phantom Screens were what I wanted after sharing an Instagram Story around this time last year. I already had a Dutch door in my family room. The screen door on it needed to be replaced, so I asked if anyone had suggestions for something that would offer a cleaner look. The response was unanimous: Phantom Screens.
What are Phantom Screens?
In a nutshell, Phantom Screens are retractable screens doors. They are screen doors that remain out of sight when not in use so your view is never blocked. They also preserve the look of your doorway and fill all types of doors in function, color, and style.
These retractable screens doors fit most standard and oversized doors. And Phantom Screens are professionally installed.
My Phantom Screens:
I thought you might want to take a quick look at my Phantom Screens and find out how they operate.
As I mentioned above, I had them installed on my new kitchen door and dining room doors. I also had one installed on the Dutch door in my family room to replace that worn-out screen door. Phantom Screens can be added to new or existing doors.
Here is how the doors look with the screens installed but not in use.
You can hardly tell there is a screen door there, right?
And here is how the doors look with the screens in use.
Yes, there’s a screen there, but it’s just the screen. There are no crossbars or a door frame holding the screen in place. I love the clean look. As you can see below, when the screens are not in use the unit is practically invisible. Love that!
Here’s how the Dutch door looks with the screen open and closed.
So How Does a Retractable Screen Door Work?
Each door has a unit on the side that holds the screen. (You’ll notice on the French doors there is a unit on each side.)
Then, tracks are installed at the top and bottom of the door frame.
There are various tracks available for the bottom of the door so that it seamlessly lines up with your existing threshold. This eliminates any sort of tripping hazard. Tracks are also available in a few colors to match your existing threshold material.
As I mentioned above, everything is professionally installed, so there’s no need to worry about the installation process. It is neat and fast! It only took my installers 3-4 hours to install all 3 doors.
Here’s a view of the French doors from inside my house. The two screens meet in the middle to make a full screen. You can use the screens independently of each other. Meaning, if you want to keep one screen in place, you can do that. You don’t need to open both screens to come in or go out of the French door.
And finally, here’s how the screen looks on my side porch.
From inside the family room, it’s hard to tell when the screen is in use. I am so happy that the view is not unobstructed.
One final thing I wanted to mention is that the retractable screen doors are not completely cat-proof. My new kitty, Frankie, who spent part of his life outdoors, is often determined to get back outside. He has figured out that if he pushes hard enough at the bottom of the screen, he can squeeze his way out. I mention this as it might be something you want to consider if you have pets.
Regardless, I am thrilled with these retractable screen doors and so glad I decided to add them to my home. If you’re looking for retractable screen doors, Phantom Screens is the way to go. You can find more about them here.
If I overlooked anything in this post or you have questions about my retractable screen doors, please let me know in the comments below.
How exactly does it retract? Where is it hiding? Or it it all squeezed together?
It’s rolls up into a compartment on edge of the door.
xo Michael
I Love your Home!! Do you know if your screen door is interchangeable? Can you move it to the left or right?
I’m not sure what you mean. You can have it installed on the left or right of your door, but once it’s installed the position can’t be changed.
xo Michael
Can you lock the Phanton Screen or does it only latch?
Mine just latch. I’m not sure if they have a locking option.
xo Michael
We installed a pet door into our traditional sliding screen door. Am I right in thinking that would not be possible on a retractable Phantom screen door? Because then it wouldn’t retract, right? So do they have any solution to wanting a pet door in the screen?
Correct. I’m not sure if they have a pet option. You could check their website or reach out to them directly.
xo Michael
These are genius! Thanks for sharing! ❤️
I have Phantom screens on a regular door and a Dutch door. Absolutely love them. My cat doesn’t try to push through and he likes sitting in front of the screen to enjoy the breeze and view.
I really have enjoyed seeing your thoughts and decisions on eachof your projects you’ve undertaken. It’s just a lovely home. We also have a retractable screen on an atrium door. I love it but as with anything that’s outside, there are small issues with ice in the door threshold and leaves and moisture at the base. I had to tie colorful embroidery floss on the screen at eye level to keep people from walking into it! It’s invisible. But they’re excellent for the view and clean lines. Good choice.
I absolutely love the screens and your house!
I just checked out the manufacturer website. May I ask why you chose to install twin screens instead of a single panel with no center bar interruption for your french doors? I’m just curious.
Two were suggested for this installation. I think it’s because both doors aren’t always open. Also, you would essential have to open both doors, or (depending on which door you open) reach in-between the screen and the other door to open the screen. I think two screens just makes more practical sense. However, if you wanted one, I’m sure they could do that as long as that size screen could fit into one screen compartment.
xo Michael
Thank you for addressing the cat situation. My little guy likes to climb the screen door and hang! When it was time for a replacement I was so happy my contractor introduced me to snap-in pet screens for the lower half of a traditional screen door. Said kitty in now chill. These disappearing screens are wonderful. A great addition to your stunning home to enjoy autumn’s cool breezes.
Amy, i know this is old but hoping you see my request. Do you know the brand/name of the kitty inserts? We no longer use our Phantom screens bc our cat pushes his way out the bottom.
Hi Bethany,
I actually just did some research (because I have the same issue) and I discovered that Phantom released something called “mesh lock” earlier this year. I’ve reached out to them to see if this can be added to existing screens. *fingers crossed*
xo Michael
P.S. I love the blog, your house, and all of the decor and finishings…you have amazing taste! I hope my comment didn’t come across as Debbie Downer-ish – in no way did I mean to rain on your new screen parade! 🙂 I’m just genuinely interested in seeing how yours works because I’m trying to find a better solution to replace ours. Besides the difficulty in operating the screen, it has also developed a tear so we definitely have to do something eventually.
Can you open/close the screen with one hand? Our new house has something similar (I think?) on the French doors into our living room. At first I loved the idea, for all the reasons you mentioned. However, as we got into true outdoor living/entertaining season, the screen’s fatal flaw became apparent: you can’t really operate the screen with one hand. The two screens meet in the middle and are held together with a strong magnet, so you have to use two hands to gently separate them and slide them into their housings. Otherwise, being that they are spring loaded, one side or the other will violently slam open. (If that makes sense? Hard to describe.) This causes two problems: 1) You can’t open the screen if you’re carrying food or something inside or outside; and 2) unwitting guests are very startled and immediately panic and think they broke something. I’m thinking maybe your screen system is newer and better designed? As I said, I loved the concept of ours, but the execution falls short.
Yes, you can easily open with one hand. You do have to guide the screen back into the unit with your hand or it will slam, but you only need one hand to do it. If you check my Instagram Stories within the next 18 hours or so, you’ll be able to see them in action.
xo Michael