Thanks to the wind-resistant hasps on the middle and bottom of the screen door curtain, we found that this screen stayed closed on breezy days. The screen is heavier than the double-door polyester screens we tested, which helps keep it in place on windy days and enables it to withstand busy foot traffic. It opens and closes easily, and our dogs can pass through without issue. Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists. Meet the Tester

Mesh screens should always be left to air dry; do not put them in a dryer, which could damage them. Pet doors are small screen doors that open with a push from your dog, cat, or any similar-size pet. They can be installed directly into the mesh of a standard screen door. The pet door stays closed using magnets in the frame that hold the swinging portion of the door in place when not in use. Debbie Wolfe is a photographer, author, and freelance writer in various niches. She has contributed hundreds of home, garden, and crafting articles and DIY tutorials for leading media outlets and retailers, including HGTV, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, The Spruce, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Mother Earth News. She is the author of two DIY books: Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts and Crafting with Herbs from Skyhorse Publishing. Her testing approach is straightforward and budget-minded.Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement. I bought 3 with the intent of putting them in the most important rooms for ventilation (baby’s room, living room, master bedroom) but I will be buying more in the near future to finish the house. Thank you for your life-changing product! A magnetic screen door must be cleaned and maintained properly to extend the life of the screen. Dust frequently with a microfiber cloth or other duster to remove the dirt and debris from the mesh, and wash weekly with a damp cloth and mild soap. Magnetic screen doors can come with a few extra features that make them easier to use, including full-strip magnets, pet doors, and side snaps to hold the doors open.

ABS plastic frames encase a polyester or fiberglass mesh door in pet-size portals. Just a push on the screen gives pets access to the outside. We also tested Wolf & Moon Products Bug Off Instant Screen and Ownpets Dog Screen Door, but neither product passed our testing standards. Magnetic screen doors are generally very simple to install by a DIYer if the manufacturer’s directions are followed. Though quality models stay in place quite well when properly installed, they may be considered as temporary screen doors since taking them down can be done easily. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind during installation: We tested the magnetic screen doors according to an established rubric that included material type, installation, performance, and durability criteria. We rated the screens on a scale of 0 to 4 to determine their score. Although the Wolf & Moon Products Bug Off magnetic screen was the easiest to install, it had many flaws. This screen was the most expensive magnetic screen we tested, yet its construction wasn’t as sturdy as the others. It’s heavily weighted at the bottom and features a tension rod installation system, making it easy to install. However, it has only two magnets located toward the bottom of the screen and adhesive Velcro tabs on the sides of the screen to attach to the doorframe. This design leaves gaps for bugs and other small critters to squeeze through. When our dogs go in and out, there is often a significant gap in the middle of the screen because there are not enough magnets to force it closed. Also, after a while, the tension rod needs to be adjusted. Overall, we found that the design and quality of the screen were poor.

A Durable  Magnetic Door Fly Screen

Side snaps, which are available on some models, keep the doors open without people having to push through the screen. They act like curtain ties to keep the two mesh screens open and can be unsnapped when closing the mesh screen is desired. A magnetic screen door in your home, cottage, or trailer keeps your place bug-free while allowing light and air in for ventilation. It will prove especially useful for pet owners, as cats and dogs can pass through with ease. This magnetic screen door comes in a wide span of sizes so the door can be fitted to almost any doorway including common French door sizes. The range extends from 39 inches wide by 83 inches long to 72 inches wide by 80 inches long, with seven additional options that fall between these two extremes. Some brands come in one size only, but most offer multiple widths and heights. If your door falls between standard sizes, you may be able to adjust a larger model to fit. Polyester mesh is more affordable, easier to see through, and lets in more natural light than fiberglass. However, it tends to be less durable, so if going with polyester, a higher fiber count is an indicator of good quality and efficacy.