Screens for a Twin Falls Guest House or ADU

Twin Falls is adding homes, and a lot of people are thinking about adding one in their own backyard. The Census Bureau reports that the city has grown about 8.4 percent since 2020, adding more than 4,000 residents in five years. A senior planner for the City of Twin Falls told KMVT the situation plainly: "We're running a housing shortage, as we all know, and housing prices are super expensive." For homeowners with space to spare, a guest house, backyard cottage or other accessory dwelling unit, usually called an ADU, is one answer.

A small home gets a lot of use out of every door and window. That makes the openings one of the most important details to plan, and it is where a retractable screen earns its place.

What Idaho's New ADU Law Changes

The Idaho Legislature passed Senate Bill 1354, which took effect July 1, 2026. According to a summary by the housing research group Sightline, the law applies to larger Idaho cities and allows one ADU per house lot, attached or detached, and in most cases without requiring off-street parking for it. The bill's statement of purpose describes it as treating ADUs as a residential use allowed by right when certain conditions are met.

The City of Twin Falls lists accessory dwelling units as a use in its zoning code, and the details for a particular lot depend on its zone and the city's standards. This guide is not legal or planning advice, so the right first step for any homeowner is a conversation with the City of Twin Falls planning office about the specific property.

Why Openings Matter in a Small Space

In a large house, one stuffy room is a minor problem. In a small unit, the front door, the patio door and a handful of windows are most of the connection to the outdoors. If those openings can stay open on a warm evening, the whole space feels larger. The Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce counts about 210 sunny days a year, with July highs that average around 89 degrees, so there are many evenings when that is exactly what people want.

Wasps, flies and mosquitoes are part of the Magic Valley summer too, and an open door in a small unit is an open door to the whole living space. A retractable screen lets the door stay open while the insects stay outside, and it retracts into its housing when you want a clear view.

The Patio Door or Entry

Many guest houses and backyard cottages have a patio door or a French door that opens onto a small deck or yard. Phantom builds door screens for single and double patio sliding doors, swing doors and French doors, and each one is custom-built to the size of the opening. A gentle press releases the screen as it glides smoothly along the track, and when you are done it retracts into its housing and leaves the doorway clear.

For a unit that hosts visiting family or a long-term guest, that makes the door easy to leave open through the warm months. Our guide on sliding door screens in Twin Falls covers the size, mesh and color decisions in more detail.

The Windows

A small unit usually has a few windows that matter a great deal: the one over the kitchen sink, the bedroom window, and the window by the desk in a home office. Phantom builds window screens for single-hung, double-hung, casement, sliding and awning windows, with a single screen reaching up to 84 inches wide and 90 inches high. They mount in the frame of the window or on its exterior and retract into a slim housing, so the glass stays clear. Our guide on retractable window screens for Twin Falls homes walks through the window types and mounts.

Each window can have its own mesh. Phantom lists its 20/20 insect mesh at about 43 percent openness with up to 57 percent sun and UV blockage, which keeps the view open and the air moving. For a west-facing window that takes hard afternoon sun, SunTex 80 solar mesh is listed at 25 percent openness, with up to 75 percent sun and UV blockage and up to 80 percent heat blockage. For a window that faces the main house or a neighbor, privacy mesh is the option designed for privacy. These are manufacturer ratings given as "up to" figures, so results depend on the mesh and the exposure. Our guide on solar mesh for high-desert sun covers the choices in detail.

Matching the Main House

A guest house sits close to the main home, so the two usually look best when they share trim colors and finishes. Phantom offers standard powder-coated colors, wood grain finishes and custom color matching from a swatch you supply. That lets the housings and tracks on the new unit blend in with the trim on the existing house, so the screens look like part of the design.

Plan It While the Unit Is Being Built

The best time to think about screens on a new unit is while it is being framed. Phantom notes that a recessed mount, which tucks the screen away and out of sight, is typically done during construction. Surface mounts can also be added to existing structures later, so the decision does not have to be made on day one. Even so, a short conversation with your builder early on makes the details easier. Our guide on timing a screen for new construction in Twin Falls explains how that works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I add an ADU on my Twin Falls lot? Idaho's Senate Bill 1354, effective July 1, 2026, allows one ADU per house lot in larger cities, attached or detached. The rules for a particular property depend on its zone and the city's standards, so check with the City of Twin Falls planning office.

Q: What kinds of openings on a small unit can have a retractable screen? Patio doors, French doors, swing doors and windows. Phantom builds door and window screens, and each one is custom-built to the size of the opening.

Q: Can I choose a different mesh for each window? Yes. Phantom offers insect, solar, privacy and clear vinyl mesh, so a west-facing window can have solar mesh while the others use insect mesh.

Q: Can the screens match my main house? Yes. Phantom offers standard powder-coated colors, wood grain finishes and custom color matching from a swatch.

Q: When should I plan screens for a new unit? Early. A recessed mount is typically done during construction, and surface mounts can be added later.

Planning a guest house or ADU and thinking about its doors and windows? Contact Phantom Retractable Screens of Twin Falls for a free, no pressure consultation. We will look at your plans or your finished unit, show you mesh and color samples, and recommend a setup that fits your home. Screen mesh is not included under the component warranty, but it can always be repaired or replaced if needed.