5 Best Sliding Screen Door Kits
Sliding patio doors are convenient and make accessing your outdoor living space much easier. However, the problem of keeping those openings screened can be challenging. Large screen doors are vulnerable to damage in many ways. The propensity for damage often means replacing or repairing those screen doors. We look at the best sliding screen door kits and alternatives.
Sliding screen doors have relatively flimsy aluminum or plastic frames. The large openings, often 3 feet by almost 7 feet in area, leave huge expanses of thin screen vulnerable to rips and tears. Whether it be from constant use or accidental damage, these vital parts of your patio doors often need replacement or repair.
| Sliding Screen Option | Materials | Best Feature of This Kit |
| CRL KDEX2036W White 36″ x 81″ Heavy-Duty Extruded K.D. Sliding Screen Door Kit – 2″ Frame | Extruded Aluminum Frame No Screen Supplied with the Frame kit | It can be cut to adjust the height frame to fit the door opening |
| K.D. Heavy Duty Galv. Steel Sliding Patio Screen Door Kit (36″ x 96″, White) – 1-7/8″ Frame | Galvanized steel frame | The steel frame is more rigid than aluminum |
| Saint-Gobain ADFORS FCS9831-M Standard Screen Repair Kit for Window & Door, 36″ x 84″, Charcoal | Fiberglass screen material | Best replacement screen kit for sliding patio door screens |
| Aluminum Retractable Front Screen Door net, Fiberglass mesh with aluminum, Mosquito Screens | Aluminum Frame and Fiberglass screen Material | Side retractable design replaces conventional track rollers |
| Flux Phenom Reinforced Magnetic Screen Door – Fits Doors up to 38 x 82 Inches | Frameless Design Heavy-duty mesh | No frame to install, Easy hands-free entry and exit. Self-closing |
When your sliding screen door does get damaged, there is no need to call for an expensive repair job. Repairing or replacing the screen door on your sliding patio door is relatively simple and inexpensive. The job is within the skills level of most homeowners. There are also several alternatives to the standard sliding screen for your patio door opening.
When the frame of your sliding screen suffers damage beyond repair, it is time for a replacement. The CRL KED2035W replacement sliding screen kit is a perfect way to make this replacement. The kit allows you to custom fit a new frame to your sliding patio door easily and quickly.
Why This Kit Stands Out
Several features of the CRL sliding screen kit make this a standout on our list. Among these features are:
- Two-inch extruded aluminum frame members with .043 inch wall thickness
- Pre-mitered corners for accurate assembly
- Pre-installed rollers and corner connectors
- Ball-bearing rollers for quiet and easy opening and closing
- Complete with pull handle. Latch, and vinyl bug strip
What’s in the Kit?
The CRL KDEX2036W kit is a complete frame kit. Included in the package is:
- Complete 2” mitered frame rails in your choice of three colors to match your patio door
- All rollers and fittings to assemble the frame
- Latch, handle, and vinyl bug strip
- Complete instructions including diagrams
You should note that this kit does not include the screen or the spline to attach the screen to the frame. You must supply these products as well as the tools to install the screen. The sliding screen frame is compatible with vinyl or wire screen
What Purchasers of this Kit Say
Those who purchase and install the CRL KDEX2036W sliding screen door replacement frame rate this kit above average. In general, the comments by users include:
- Assembly and installation are easy to accomplish quickly
- Clear, precise, and easy to understand instructions
- The frame material is robust enough to handle pets and small children
Our View of this Kit
Overall, this kit ranks high with us. We found many reasons to include this frame kit on our list. Among these reasons are:
- Rigid and strong aluminum extrusions
- Spring ball bearing rollers
- Pre-cut miter corners for easier assembly
- It is trimmable to fit odd sized door openings
If your aluminum sliding screen frame succumbed to rambunctious children or pets, a galvanized steel frame might make a better replacement. The K.D. heavy-duty galvanized steel patio screen door kit is an easy replacement option that gives more strength.
Why this Kit Stands Out
- The galvanized steel frame is 1-7/8 inch in width and ¾ inch thick.
- Adjustable from 93 inches to 96 inches in height
- Complete with all screws, handle, and latch hardware for quick and easy assembly
- This kit includes the screen, spline, and a spline tool
What’s in this Kit?
This kit ships in a sturdy shipping tube that protects the parts. On opening the shipping tube, you should find:
- All frame parts with holes and openings for the latch and handle pre-cut and drilled.
- Roller supports with roller pre-installed
- All screws and fasteners to assemble and install the screen door frame
- One role of vinyl screen material
- One roll of screen spline to install the screen in the frame
- A screen spline tool for installing the screen spline the channel of the frame
- Complete instructions
What Purchasers of this Kit Say
A review of user’s comments about the K.D. heavy-duty sliding screen door kit generally praises this kit’s construction and ease of installation. These comments include many in these areas.
- Easy to install and adjust to fit your door opening
- Stronger than the kits from the big box home improvement stores
- The operation of this sliding screen is smooth and easy
Our View of This Kit
This K.D. heavy-duty galvanized steel sliding patio screen door kit is a bit heavier than its aluminum counterparts. However, in situations where children or pets tend to be hard on sliding screen door frames, this heavier construction is appreciated. We also like the features of this sliding screen door kit.
- Where you anticipate heavier use, the stronger steel frame is an advantage
- The adjustable frame allows this kit to be custom-fitted to odd size door openings
- Including the screen, spline, and a spline tool makes this a complete kit
If you have larger dogs that jump or paw at the door, you should rethink the screen included with this kit. You may want to purchase a heavier screen to replace the lightweight screen supplies with the kit.
Mishaps often leave your patio door sliding screen in tatters but the frame and hardware unscathed. Replacing the screen in your sliding screen door frame is a quick and easy process if you have the right materials and tools. The Saint-Gobain screen replacement kit is the key to performing this job without problems.
Why This Kit Stands Out
There are many screen replacement kits available. Choosing the kit with the best features is always a challenge. This kit stands out for several reasons.
- The fiberglass screen material is strong and resilient to resist tears and punctures
- These re-screen kits are Greengold certified and ortho-phthalate free making them safe for children and pets
- California Proposition 65 compliant
- A 5-year limited warranty covers every kit
What’s in this Kit?
This sliding screen door kit contains everything you need to do a complete re-screen on your patio door. No extra trips to the hardware store when you order this kit. In the box, you will find:
- One roll of fiberglass screen material 36inches by 84 inches
- Twenty-five feet of .140 plastic spline material
- One spline installation tool
- Complete instructions
What Purchasers of this Kit are Saying
Purchasers of the Saint-Gobain screen repair kit praise the easy installation and the great variety of options for screen material available with these kits. There seems to be a special screen material for almost every need.
- The options for special screen material for pets, extra-strength and even ultra-small insects are phenomenal.
- The kit is complete and even includes the tools used to insert the spline into the frame
- The Greenguard certification ensures an environmentally sound product
Our View of this Kit
Repair kits are easy to find locally and on the internet. The Saint-Gobain kit has several advantages over these other kits
- The kit is complete, plus a tool to make the spline installation easy
- A wide range of screen weight and materials to customize your screen repair for your needs
Many people wish for an alternative to the traditional roller and track system of mounting a sliding screen on a patio door. Winsharp has devised a solution that provides such an alternative. This side retractable full-size screen door provides complete coverage for your door opening. When retracted, the screen houses safely in a vertical roller out of the way and out of sight.
Why This Kit Stands Out
The unique vertical retraction system of this patio door screen replacement system provides a completely different approach. The screen no longer sits exposed against the stationary portion of the door. This protected rolled position protects the screen when it isn’t in use.
- The all-aluminum construction is sturdy and durable
- Custom construction means a good fit on any size door opening
- Easy exterior installation on almost any patio door configuration
- Each custom-built retracting screen door kit includes all mounting hardware, door screen hardware and instructions.
- Available of interior or exterior mounting
What’s in This Kit?
Each kit ships as a complete unit broken down for assembly and installation by the homeowner. Each kit contains:
- All frame materials cut to size with corner hardware for easy installation
- Handles and latches
- Screws and fastening hardware
- Lockset and latch
- Complete mounting and installation instructions
What Purchasers of this Kit are Saying
Many purchasers of this retractable screen door kit admit to being a bit dubious when ordering. However, the majority are positive in their reviews and comments after receiving and installing the kit.
- Fast turnaround time after placing the order
- Easy to install
- Customer service was better than most with questions dealt with promptly
- A functional design makes using and operating the retractable screen easy
Our View of this Kit
The Winsharp retractable patio door screen is a unique solution to the sliding screen door problem. When stowed, the screen is protected and out of the way. When deployed, the screen is secure and covers the door opening. The other advantages we like include:
- The custom build allows the frame of this screen to fit the door opening exactly.
- The retraction mechanism is well-engineered, dependable, and durable.
- The included instructions make assembling and installing this retractable screen easy
The Flux Phenom Reinforced Magnetic Screen Door is not a repair kit or replacement kit for a sliding screen door frame. This screen design hangs from the door frame and creates a bug-proof screen barrier over the door opening. The design allows hands-free entry and exit.
Why this Kit Stands Out
Why replace a complicated sliding screen with rollers and catches and frames when you can accomplish the same thing with the Lux Phenom magnetic door screen. The simplicity of this design is its standout feature among these others.
- Frameless design simplifies installation.
- Hands-free entry and exit allow children and pets to come and go as they please.
- Twenty-six magnets ensure a tight seal when the screen is closed
- This screen fits doors of all sizes without problems or trimming
- A video installation guide makes installation a snap
What’s in this Kit?
The simplicity of this design makes the contents of the kit equally simple. The box contains everything you need to hang this frame-free patio door screen in minutes.
- One 38-inch by 82-inch frameless screen door mesh
- Thumbtacks and self-adhesive Velcro fasteners for easy installation
- 26 pre-attached closure magnets
- Complete instructions, including links to the video installation guide
What Purchasers of this Kit are Saying?
Surveying the reviews and comments by users of the Flux phenom frameless screen door kit praise its simplicity and ease of installation. The comments most often found follow these trends.
- This screen is a great solution to the problem of pets and a sliding patio door.
- The magnet closures create a tight bug proof seal automatically as you enter and leave the house
- Sturdy and durable. This screen stands up to pets remarkably well
Repair or Replace – The Options for Sliding Screen Doors
Whether you choose to replace or repair the screen on your sliding patio door is a personal decision. We hope that this list of options helps you make the best decision for your situation. The options are varied. Each has its pros and cons. Find the one that fits your lifestyle and your home for the best results.
Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
More by Dennis Howard
