Screen doors and screened-in porches are so quintessentially summer. Remember that classic Swish, boom! when you were a kid, banging the door as you ran in, hoping for cold lemonade?
Screen doors add appeal and functionality to a home during the warmer months — both for what they invite in (guests, cooling breezes) and what they keep out (mosquitoes) — but what style will be right for your cottage or bungalow? For advice, we turned to Vintage Doors, a family-owned business that’s been custom crafting interior and exterior doors since 1990, and makes more than 130 screen and storm door designs, as well as Dutch doors and three-season porch enclosures.
Decisions, Decisions
For a screen door that enhances curb appeal, start by thinking about historical accuracy. A Victorian-inspired cottage, for example, needs a more intricately carved screen door, while a 1950’s bungalow calls for something sleeker. Vintage Doors has something for every style.
Oversized doors may require a two-piece, split set-up, but even if your home’s entrance does not require it, you can still opt to have a two piece if you like the appearance. A two-piece screen/storm set-up is also best if you have pets that may rip or scratch at the screen, or if you have small children, who are notorious for pushing on screens.
Also, consider what type of screen you’ll want. For example, someone living in Coastal Georgia would desire a No-See-Um bug resistant screen, while a homeowner who has an incredible view of the Shasta Mountains could opt for a Clear Advantage High Visibility Screen. A classic historical home would look great with a copper screen, which gradually gets a subtle patina as it ages.
No matter what style door and screen insert you choose, don’t forget to finish your project with period-perfect hardware, to complete the look.
What Style Works for Your Home?
If Your Home is a Coastal Cottage
A louver style screen door, such as the Cape Cod, conveys that breezy feeling one gets when living near a beautiful body of water. With four open louver sections, the door offers privacy, while still allowing for plenty of airflow.
Or you could go even more overtly seaside themed, with a screen door featuring a cut out of a sailboat or a ship’s wheel.
If Your Home is Craftsman Style
Look for solid geometry and minimal fuss. With two vertical panels and a glass area in the upper third of the door, the Brentwood fits the bill. The locations of the rails can be adjusted up or down to match your entry door.
If Your Home is a Midcentury Cottage
If you have a midcentury type cottage from the 1940s 1960s, a door with clean, linear lines, such as the Chippendale, adds a stylish punctuation to a door.
If Your Home is Traditional
On the Old Fashion, a large upper screen opening provides an excellent view of the outdoors, while the lower “T” section adds protection from screen damage and stability, creating a strong and sturdy door.
If Your Home is a Farmhouse Style
The Old Fashion style would also look good on a farmhouse as well, or try a Vanderbuilt. The bottom raised panel section helps reduce screen repairs over time that can occur with a full-view design like this. If you feel you may have an issue with screen damage, such as if you have kids, choose a durable copper screen for this door.
If Your Home is Victorian
The hand-cut scrollwork and gingerbread on the Oceanview echoes the ornate look of the Victorian style.
Other Considerations
Screened-In Porches
A screen door can also be part of a bigger vision: A screened-in porch, creating an indoor/outdoor living space that can be enjoyed three seasons out of the year.
For Pet Lovers
Who wants to cut a big hunk into their door and install a plastic flap? No one. Vintage Doors suggested several options that are best for homes with four-legged family members.
- Dutch doors. Besides adding a distinctive, vintage-inspired look to a home, Dutch doors allow you to increase the functionality of your entryway or interior room by bringing fresh air in while keeping Fido safely inside. (This type of door is also a good choice if you’re wrangling small humans, too.)
- Custom-made pet doors. With a seamless design, a custom pet door is virtually unnoticeable, allowing pets to travel in and out of the home while keeping a door’s style intact.
- A pet screen, which is seven times stronger than traditional insect screening. This screen type is ideal for high-traffic areas.
For more ideas and information on screen doors, visit Vintage Doors.
