RELIABILT Screen Doors
RELIABILT screen doors and storm doors for ventilation and weather protection. Full-view, retractable, and traditional options.
RELIABILT screen doors range from $100 to $250 and come in full-view, retractable, and traditional screen styles. Frames are extruded aluminum with a baked-on finish that will not peel or chip. Full-view models have interchangeable glass and screen panels for seasonal flexibility. Retractable models have a screen that rolls up into the frame header when not in use. All models include a pneumatic closer for controlled closing.
Screen Door Styles
| Full-View | One large glass/screen panel. Swap glass for screen seasonally. Best light and visibility. $150 - $250. |
| Retractable Screen | Screen rolls up into header when not in use. Clean look when retracted. $120 - $200. |
| Traditional | Fixed screen panel in upper half, solid lower half. Most durable. $100 - $175. |
| Pet Door | Built-in pet flap in lower panel. Available in small, medium, large sizes. $150 - $225. |
How to Choose a RELIABILT Screen Door
Measure the door frame opening between the brick mold. Screen doors mount inside the exterior casing of your entry door. Measure width at three points (top, middle, bottom) and height on both sides. Most RELIABILT screen doors fit 32" or 36" x 80" openings. Some models are adjustable (sold as "32-36 inch" units with expandable Z-bars).
Full-view is the best all-around choice for most homeowners. You get maximum light and ventilation in summer (with the screen panel) and full weather protection in winter (with the glass panel). The swap takes 5 minutes with no tools. Choose retractable only if you dislike the look of a visible screen.
Traditional screen doors are the most durable since the solid lower panel takes kicks, pet scratches, and impact without damage. If you have dogs or small children, this style holds up better than full-view glass. The pet door variant eliminates the need for your dog to push through a separate flap insert.
Color matching matters. RELIABILT screen doors come in white, almond, brown, and black finishes. Match the screen door frame to your entry door trim color for a cohesive look. The baked-on aluminum finish cannot be repainted easily, so choose the right color at purchase. Black frames are the most popular for modern exteriors.
Screen doors install over your existing front door or back door. If break-in resistance is a concern, a security door provides ventilation with a reinforced steel frame and tamper-resistant mesh instead of standard fiberglass screen.
Screen Door Installation Tips
Install the Z-bar frame kit first, then hang the door. Most RELIABILT screen doors come with Z-bar expanders that bridge the gap between the door and the brick mold. Cut the Z-bars to length with a hacksaw, screw them to the brick mold, and then hang the door on the Z-bar hinges.
Set the closer before the first use. Mount the pneumatic closer bracket on the door frame and the closer arm on the door. Adjust the closing speed so the door closes in 5-7 seconds without slamming. Too fast damages the latch; too slow lets insects in.
Install the rain cap at the top. The drip cap deflects water away from the top of the screen door frame. It is included in the kit but sometimes overlooked during installation. Without it, water runs down between the screen door and the entry door, pooling on the threshold.
Test the latch alignment before tightening all screws. Close the screen door and check that the latch engages the strike plate cleanly. If the door has settled or the Z-bars are not perfectly level, the latch may need shimming. Adjust before driving the final mounting screws to avoid having to re-drill.
Leave 1/4" clearance at the bottom. Screen doors should not drag on the threshold when opening and closing. If the door scrapes, raise it by adjusting the hinge-side Z-bar bracket or trimming the bottom rail with a hacksaw. Most screen doors have an adjustable bottom expander that can be raised or lowered.
Common Screen Door Problems and Fixes
Door slams shut too hard: Adjust the pneumatic closer by turning the speed control screw. Clockwise slows the closing speed. If the closer has lost damping entirely (door just falls shut), the internal hydraulic fluid has leaked and the closer needs replacement ($12-20).
Screen mesh torn or punctured: Small tears (under 2 inches) can be patched with adhesive screen repair patches available for $3-5. Larger tears require re-screening the panel. Remove the spline (rubber strip holding the screen in the frame groove), lay new fiberglass screen over the frame, and press new spline into the channel with a spline roller tool.
Door does not latch properly: The strike plate may have shifted or the latch tongue is worn. Adjust the strike plate position with longer screws. If the latch tongue does not extend fully, check for debris in the latch mechanism and clean with compressed air.
Retractable screen will not stay retracted: The spring tension in the cassette may need resetting. Most retractable models have a tension adjustment screw on the cassette housing. Turn it until the screen stays rolled up without assistance.
How to Maintain Your Screen Door
Clean the screen mesh every spring before switching from winter glass to summer screen. Lay the screen panel flat and scrub gently with soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly and let dry before reinstalling. This removes pollen, dust, and pet hair that restrict airflow.
Lubricate the closer and hinges annually with silicone spray. Wipe excess off the frame to prevent drips on the threshold. Check that hinge pins are seated fully and not working their way out.
Inspect the weatherstripping along the frame edges every 2-3 years. Screen door seals are thinner than entry door seals and wear faster. Replace foam or brush strips that are compressed flat or missing sections to keep insects and rain out.
Swap glass and screen panels seasonally. Full-view doors perform best when you use the glass panel from November through March (added insulation) and the screen panel from April through October (ventilation). Leaving the glass panel in year-round traps heat and stresses the closer mechanism.
Adjust the pneumatic closer tension twice a year. Temperature affects closer speed: they close faster in summer (thinner fluid) and slower in winter (thicker fluid). Adjust the speed screw at each season change so the door closes at a controlled speed without slamming or staying open.
Store the off-season panel safely. When the glass panel is removed for summer, store it upright in a protective location where it will not get cracked. Wrap the edges with old towels or bubble wrap. The screen panel is more durable but should still be stored vertically to avoid denting the frame.
Inspect the door frame for loose rivets or screws every spring. Aluminum screen door frames use rivets and screws at the corner joints and handle mounting points. These loosen over time from repeated opening and closing. Tighten loose screws and replace any rivets that have worked out by drilling and installing a new rivet or a short machine screw.
Check the glass panel for cracks before reinstalling each fall. Tempered glass panels used in screen/storm doors can develop stress cracks from impacts during summer storage. A cracked tempered glass panel can shatter unexpectedly. Inspect both sides carefully and replace any panel with chips or hairline cracks.
Screen Door Questions
Can a screen door improve energy efficiency?
A storm/screen door with the glass panel installed creates a dead air space between it and the entry door, which adds insulation equivalent to roughly R-1 to R-2. This reduces drafts and can lower heating costs by 10-15% in cold climates. In summer with the screen panel, it provides ventilation without opening the entry door.
What is the difference between a screen door and a storm door?
They are the same product category. "Storm door" emphasizes weather protection (glass panel for winter), while "screen door" emphasizes ventilation (mesh panel for summer). Full-view RELIABILT models serve both functions with interchangeable panels. Traditional models with fixed screens are screen doors only and do not include a glass panel.
Will a screen door fit my door if it has sidelights?
Screen doors mount to the brick mold casing around the door opening itself, not the sidelights. If your brick mold is standard width and the entry door opening is 32" or 36", a screen door will fit regardless of sidelights. Measure only the door opening, not the full unit width including sidelights.
How long does a screen door pneumatic closer last?
Pneumatic closers typically last 5-8 years before the internal hydraulic fluid leaks and the closing action fails. Signs of a failing closer include the door slamming shut (no damping) or not closing fully. Replacement closers cost $12-20 and take 10-15 minutes to swap. Buy a closer rated for the weight of your screen door (30-50 lbs for most models).
Screen doors install over your existing front door or back door. For heavier protection, consider a security door instead. You will need a door closer if one is not included with your model.
If you are replacing an old screen door, bring the measurements of your existing door to Lowe's. Most RELIABILT screen doors use standard sizing, but older homes may have non-standard openings. Adjustable Z-bar models accommodate width variations of up to 4 inches without custom fitting.
For the back of the house, pair a screen door with a patio door screen panel for consistent airflow. See reviews for feedback on closer durability and screen mesh quality across different RELIABILT models.