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For some, a garage is simply a place to store yard equipment, cars, and the family’s fleet of bikes; but for many, it is a workshop, a place to hang out while watching the kids play, or even a setting for poker night. While opening the large door turns a garage into an open-air space, it also allows all manner of bugs to intrude. A magnetic garage door screen keeps the space open and ventilated while preventing bugs from getting inside.
Garage door screens consist of a durable fiberglass mesh screen that covers the entire opening. Installing these screens requires no special tools and can be completed in minutes with the help of a step ladder. Magnets sewn into the seam ensure the screen’s opening stays tightly closed to keep bugs out but opens easily, allowing people and pets to pass through.
This guide will explore the important characteristics to look for in the best garage door screen while also reviewing some of the best options available.
- BEST OVERALL: Pick for Life 16-by-7-Foot Garage Door Screen
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: UnBugs Premium Mesh Magnetic Garage Screen Door
- UPGRADE PICK: Liamst Magnetic Garage Door Mesh Screen
- BEST FOR 2-CAR GARAGES: Aurelio Tech Magnetic Garage Door Screen
- BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Fresh Air Screens Model C 2-Zipper Garage Door Screen
- BEST FIBERGLASS: Lasla Fiberglass Magnetic Garage Door Screen
- BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Oiyeefo Magnetic Garage Door Screen
How We Chose the Best Garage Door Screens
We made our selections of the top garage screen doors based on several criteria. A good garage screen door must create a seal around the entry and at the door threshold to be effective at keeping bugs out. With that in mind, we chose types of garage door screens that use a hook-and-loop installation design, which holds the door securely to the garage door frame.
We also chose models with magnet and gravity weights, which help keep the door opening closed to prevent pests from getting inside. Since garage doors vary in size, we chose mainly garage door screens that are available in multiple size options. Since garage door screens must allow entry for vehicles, our selections also include products that are easy to open either by removing the screen for storage or by rolling it up.
Our Top Picks
The list below narrows the field to some of the best garage door screens on the market. These screens install quickly, feature durable construction, and have designs that make them easy to open and close.
Best Overall
Pick for Life 16-by-7-Foot Garage Door Screen
With its simple installation, wide coverage, and a design that holds up to wind, this garage door screen is one of the best options on the market. The screen attaches to the header of the garage door using adhesive tape with a hook-and-loop connection that sticks to the screen’s outer seam. Powerful magnets hold the opening in the center of the door closed, while gravity weights prevent wind from blowing the screen inward, so there’ll be no gap at the bottom.
When the screen is not in use, you can either pull apart the hook-and-loop connection to remove the screen or roll it up and secure it with the integrated straps. The screen, which is made from tear-resistant and fireproof fiberglass mesh, is available in a 7-foot-high by 16-foot-wide size for 2-car garages and in a 7-foot-high by 8-foot-wide size for 1-car garages, and it comes in white or black.
Product Specs
- Type: Roll up
- Size options: 12
- Color: Black or white
Pros
- Gravity weights hold screen door in place during windy conditions
- A dozen size options make it compatible with most garage doors
- Powerful magnets automatically close the door after someone passes through it
Cons
- Some customers complain that the mesh material starts fraying after only a few months
Get the Pick for Life garage door screen at Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
UnBugs Premium Mesh Magnetic Garage Screen Door
Adding a screen door to a garage opening needn’t be a major investment. This affordable model from UnBugs covers a standard 7-foot-high by 16-foot-wide opening. Installing this screen requires no tools thanks to an adhesive mounting strip and hook-and-loop design. The opening that bisects the screen closes automatically with 26 magnets, creating a tight seal between seam openings. Weights at the bottom of the screen hold it stable during high winds.
The UnBugs screen features two storage options: Remove the screen from the mounting strip and fold it up or roll it up using the integrated ties at the top of the screen. In addition to this 2-car garage option, UnBugs also makes a single-car option.
Product Specs
- Type: Roll up
- Size options: 10
- Color: Black
Pros
- Numerous size options make it compatible for most garage doors
- Integrated weights hold screen in place in windy conditions
- Large number of magnets keep door securely closed
Cons
- Some customers report that the magnets make it very difficult to roll up the screen
Get the UnBugs garage door screen at Amazon.
Upgrade Pick
Liamst Magnetic Garage Door Mesh Screen
With its use of high-density fiberglass mesh, this is one of the heavier and therefore more durable garage door screens on the market, which ensures it won’t rip or be blown around by the wind. It uses adhesive tape that runs around the frame of the garage door and attaches to the screen with a hook-and-loop connection that can be easily removed for storage.
A total of 28 magnets create a tight seal that ensures there are no gaps in the screen’s opening. The screen can be easily removed for storage or rolled up using its integrated straps. Weights built into the bottom hold the screen steady while also helping to close the opening quickly after someone passes through. With dimensions of 8 feet high by 16 feet wide, the screen fits standard 2-car garages.
Product Specs
- Type: Roll up
- Size options: 12
- Color: Black
Pros
- Screen is made from durable high-density fiberglass mesh fabric
- Can be rolled up or removed entirely when not in use
- Works with most garage door openings thanks to numerous size options
Cons
- Some customers complain that the adhesive strips won’t stick to some garage door frame materials
Get the Liamst garage door screen at Amazon.
Best for Two-Car Garages
Aurelio Tech Magnetic Garage Door Screen
A screen that can capably cover an entire opening for a 2-car garage must be durable—which is why this model boasts reinforced fiberglass mesh construction that resists tearing. This screen also installs quickly using a hook-and-loop strip that adheres to the exterior of the garage door frame.
Its 34 magnets—more than most garage door screens use—make for a quick, secure automatic closing after people and pets walk through it. Integrated gravity sticks add stability that ensures the opening closes quickly while preventing the screen from being pushed around by the wind. The screen, which fits garage doors that are 7 feet high by 16 feet wide, is detachable for easy storage.
Product Specs
- Type: Fixed detachable
- Size options: 1
- Color: Black
Pros
- Total of 34 magnet keep the opening securely closed
- Hook-and-loop design makes it easy to detach for storage when not in use
- Extra gravity sticks close door quickly after people or pets pass through
Cons
- Door does not have straps, so it can’t be rolled up
Get the Aurelio Tech garage door screen at Amazon.
Best Heavy-Duty
Fresh Air Screens Model C 2-Zipper Garage Door Screen
This garage door screen from Fresh Air Screens may be on the pricier side, but it will likely last a lot longer than cheaper garage door screens thanks to its durable construction. The screen consists of heavy mesh fabric that will endure for multiple years. Rather than using magnets, this screen employs zippers at the seam opening for tighter security.
Similar to other garage door screens, this model installs by attaching an adhesive strip to the garage door frame. The strip, which is available in black or white, then attaches to the door via a hook-and-loop strip. The screen also rolls up and is equipped with a system of durable buckles and straps that hold it securely at the top of the garage door when not in use. Fresh Air also offers a rope-and-pull kit, sold separately, that makes it easier to roll the door up.
Product Specs
- Type: Roll up
- Size options: 8
- Color: Black or white
Pros
- Heavier mesh fabric and high-quality zippers are an alternative to other garage door screens
- Can install with either a black or white strip to suit color of garage door trim
- Buckles and straps hold door in place when rolled up
Cons
- One of the priciest garage door screens on the market
Get the Fresh Air Screens garage door screen at Lowe’s or The Home Depot.
Best Fiberglass
Lasla Fiberglass Magnetic Garage Door Screen
This garage door screen uses tear-resistant and fireproof fiberglass mesh to keep insects from infiltrating the garage. The screen is split by a magnetic enclosure that allows pets and people to pass through, and then it automatically shuts behind them. Similar to other garage door screens, it attaches to the garage door frame via an adhesive strip that connects to the door with a hook-and-loop connection.
The screen is also equipped with gravity sticks on the bottom sides to keep the door in place in windy conditions and close it quickly after someone passes through it. Straps at the top of the door hold the screen when it’s rolled up. The Lasla garage door screen also comes in several size options to fit both 1-car and 2-car garages.
Product Specs
- Type: Roll up
- Size options: 4
- Color: Black
Pros
- Made from tear-resistant and fire-resistant fiberglass mesh
- Gravity sticks built into the bottom keep screen in place on windy days
- Magnetic opening automatically closes after people and pets pass through
Cons
- Some customers complain that the magnets don’t hold the opening together
Get the Lasla garage door screen at Amazon.
Best Lightweight
Oiyeefo Magnetic Garage Door Screen
With a total weight of just 6 pounds, this 2-car garage door screen is simple to install and easy to roll up when it’s not in use. As with other garage door screens, it attaches to the door frame using peel-and-stick adhesive tape and a few strategically positioned pushpins. The screen door attaches to the strip via a hook-and-loop connection. A magnetic opening in the center of the screen allows people and pets to pass through and then closes behind them automatically to keep pests out.
In addition to straps across the top for rolling the screen up, there are straps in the corners that allow you to tie back the screen quickly to allow vehicles in and out. The Oiyeefo garage door screen is also compatible with various garage doors thanks to its five size options.
Product Specs
- Type: Roll up
- Size options: 5
- Color: Black
Pros
- Corner straps offer a quick way to open the screen for vehicles
- Reflective strip on the mesh makes the screen visible to drivers
- Fits most garage doors thanks to various size options
Cons
- Some customer complain that the magnets stick to the garage door
Get the Oiyeefo garage door screen at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Garage Door Screen
Below, learn about the types of garage door screens available, how these bug blockers attach to a garage door opening, and other important features.
Type
Garage door screens come in two types: roll up and removable. Both types attach to a hook-and-loop adhesive mounting strip that runs around the top and sides of the door frame. This strip makes it easy to attach the screen for use and detach it for storage. Roll-up screens are detachable and have straps at the top of the door, enabling you to manually roll them up to store the screen or to allow a car to pull inside the garage.
Both types of screens have a tractable opening at the center that serves as a door, allowing people and pets to pass through. Typically, magnets are sewn into the opening’s seams to hold it together when closed, though sometimes zippers are used instead; both designs create a tight seal that keeps bugs out.
Easy Installation
Garage door screens mount to the exterior of the door frame so they don’t interfere with the functioning of the garage door. Similar to installing screens designed for entryways into the home, garage door screen installation involves attaching an adhesive strip around the rim of the door opening.
This installation generally involves no tools other than a step ladder and can be completed in less than 30 minutes. The screen door then attaches to the strip via a hook-and-loop connection. To remove the screen door for storage, simply pull it off of the hook-and-loop strip.
Material and Appearance
Like the smaller retractable screens designed for doorways, garage door screens use some form of tear-resistant fiberglass mesh. Higher-end door screens use denser mesh that is heavier and less prone to stretching or being blown around by the wind. These doors use powerful magnets in the seam of the opening that hold together while allowing people and animals to open it and pass through. Some garage screen doors have weights sewn into the bottom seam that help keep the screen taut and in place.
Since a garage door opening constitutes a large part of a home’s facade, the curb appeal of a garage door screen is also a factor to consider. While most garage screen doors look similar in appearance, they come in black or white.
FAQs
If you’re wondering about the durability of a garage door screen or what makes one better than another, read on for more information about these helpful bug barriers.
Q. Can you break a garage door screen?
While it is possible to tear or pull down a garage door screen, most are made of tear-resistant fiberglass mesh and mount to hook-and-loop strips that will pull apart rather than rip if too much force is applied to the screen. To extend the life of a garage door screen, be gentle when opening and closing it and remove and store it during winter weather.
Q. How often will I need to replace my garage door screen?
The durable materials used to make garage door screens can last for a long time if properly cared for. That said, you can expect to get about three seasons out of the door screen before you’ll need to replace it. White garage door screens do require more maintenance to keep clean, as dirt shows more easily on the white mesh than it does on black mesh.
Q. Are all garage door screens the same?
While most use the same design for their doorways and installation, they vary in the quality of fiberglass mesh they use for the screen. Higher-end garage door screens use a heavier, more durable mesh that will hold up longer than lower-end screen doors. Features also vary. Some garage door screens have straps that allow you to roll them up while others don’t.
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