Retractable vs. Fixed Screens for Twin Falls Homes

Most Twin Falls homes already have screens. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, summarized by Point2Homes, the median home in the city was built in 1982, and roughly 56 percent of homes were built before 1990. Houses from those decades usually came with the familiar framed screen that sits in the window, and a hinged or sliding screen door at the patio. Those screens have done their job for a long time.

So the useful question is not whether screens work. It is what a retractable screen does differently, and where that difference matters most in a Twin Falls home. This guide walks through both, fairly, so you can decide where each one fits.

What a Fixed Screen Does Well

A fixed screen is a simple idea. A frame holds a sheet of mesh in the opening, and it keeps flies, mosquitoes and wasps out while the window or door stays open. It is familiar, it comes with many windows, and for a lot of homes it is all that is needed.

The tradeoff is that a fixed screen is there all the time. The mesh sits between you and the view whether the window is open or closed, and it is part of the look of the window from the outside as well.

What a Retractable Screen Adds

A retractable screen is there when you want it and out of the way when you do not. Phantom says its window screens "disappear completely into a sleek housing when not in use, maintaining an unobstructed view." Today's Homeowner, in its review of Phantom's screens, makes the same point, noting that retractable screens do not obstruct views or access to the opening.

In Twin Falls, where the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce counts about 210 sunny days a year, that matters. People here live with open sky and long views, and a screen that disappears when you are not using it keeps the window looking like a window. When you want fresh air and no insects, the screen is there for that evening, and when you want the view, it is not.

The View and the Light

Mesh choice is part of the picture too. Phantom lists its 20/20 insect mesh at about 43 percent openness with up to 57 percent sun and UV blockage, and its 18/14 mesh at about 56 percent openness with up to 44 percent. Another insect mesh on Phantom's list is rated at 67 percent openness with up to 33 percent sun and UV blockage. A higher openness figure means more of the mesh is open, which is why Phantom describes the choice as a balance of air, light, heat and bugs.

For a west-facing opening that takes hard afternoon sun, solar mesh is an option. SunTex 80 is listed at 25 percent openness, with up to 75 percent sun and UV blockage and up to 80 percent heat blockage. These are manufacturer ratings given as "up to" figures, so results depend on the mesh and the exposure. The guide on solar mesh for high-desert sun covers the choices in detail.

Through the Seasons

Twin Falls has a real winter, with January lows that average around 20 degrees according to the Chamber. Many homeowners with fixed screens take them out for the cold months and store them. HomeServe, in an article on removing window screens for winter, notes that taking them out lets more natural light in and recommends storing them in a low-traffic spot where they will not get damaged.

A retractable screen follows a different rhythm. Phantom's guidance is to retract the mesh into the housing before winter, so there is nothing to carry to the garage and no frame to find room for. Then, when the warm weather returns, the screen is already in place.

Where the Difference Shows Most: Doors

The difference is easiest to see at a door. Phantom builds door screens for single entry doors, French doors and single or double patio sliding 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. The guide on sliding door screens in Twin Falls covers the size, mesh and color decisions in more detail, and the guide on retractable window screens for Twin Falls homes does the same for windows, which Phantom builds for single-hung, double-hung, casement, sliding and awning windows.

Keeping the Look of the Home

How a screen looks matters, especially on an older house. Fine Homebuilding's Old House Journal directory lists Phantom's retractable screens as an option when the look of traditional bug screens is a concern for an older home. Phantom's housings and tracks come in standard powder-coated colors, wood grain finishes, and custom color matching from a swatch you supply, so the screen can blend into your trim. If your neighborhood has an architectural committee, that matching is often the deciding detail. The guide on adding a retractable screen in a Twin Falls HOA neighborhood covers that process.

Where to Start

You do not have to replace every screen at once. A good first step is to walk through the house and note which doors and windows you open most often, which ones have the views you care about, and which take the most afternoon sun. Those are the openings where a retractable screen makes the biggest difference, and the rest can stay as they are. The guide on fitting a screen to almost any opening explains how Phantom approaches existing homes. A professional measurement then confirms the details for each opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between a retractable screen and a fixed screen? A fixed screen stays in the opening all the time. A retractable screen retracts into a slim housing when you are not using it, so the view and the opening stay clear.

Q: Does a retractable screen keep insects out like a fixed screen? Yes. Phantom's insect mesh is designed to keep flies, mosquitoes and wasps out while the door or window is open.

Q: Can I keep fixed screens on some windows and use retractable screens on others? Yes. A retractable screen is custom-built for the opening it covers, so you can start with the doors and windows you use most and add more over time.

Q: Which windows can have a retractable screen? Phantom builds window screens for single-hung, double-hung, casement, sliding and awning windows, up to 84 inches wide and 90 inches high.

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

Wondering where a retractable screen would make the most difference in your home? Contact Phantom Retractable Screens of Twin Falls for a free, no pressure consultation. We will look at your doors and windows, 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.