The Screening Process

By Kari Richardson
Appears in the November 2023 issue.

For their new covered patio, this Glen Ellyn family chose motorized retractable screens to help keep the bugs at bay.

While traditional fixed screens generally cannot be removed easily, motorized retractable screens by brands such as Phantom Screens and Fenetex are a newer addition to the scene that allow homeowners to quickly stash the screens with the push of a button when the bugs aren’t bothersome. They also please homeowners who don’t like screens marring the view, says Brian Hogan, president of Hogan Design and Construction, who has been using the Phantom Screens product with good results for about 12 years.

The downside? Retractable screens are more expensive than their no-frills cousins, and their motorized parts may require repair over time.

Photo: Windy City Drones