Weigh your screen door options based on the functional architecture

Be aware of your choices. Are you looking for sliding screen doors or traditional swinging doors? Retractable screen doors will need adjacent wall space in which to slide, so make sure you have that room. A swinging screen door will most likely open opposite the regular door it is attached to, so make sure that space is open. Many screen door makers also supply double doors. The kind of screen door you want will depend on the layout of your building.

I recommend: If your architecture requires retractable screen doors, Larson has several choices as well as information about installation, and Alpine Screens has an online measurement tool you can use to check your building's door dimensions. Wizard also has retractable doors and has a dealer locator so that you can find suppliers in your area. Screendoors.com features hinged, primarily wooden screen doors and has pricing information to give you an idea about your costs.

Secure your business' safety with a protective screen door

Not all screen doors are flexible mesh. Many are built for security, made of sturdy metals and with heavy locks to better protect your business and its assets while remaining decorative. They are usually in the category of swinging doors, fitting into the door frame outside the regular door and providing an extra level of protection. Increase your confidence in the safety of your business by installing one of these security screen doors.

I recommend: Titan Security has a variety of security screen doors to choose from, and also has a "Build Your Door" function where you can design custom security screen doors, choosing your own color, design and hardware. Columbia Manufacturing also stocks several different choices that you can evaluate to pick the security screen door that fits your needs.

Keep the looks of your business in mind when choosing screen doors

Screen doors are all designed to look good, but you still have to consider the look of your existing building and decide what doors will match its decor. Consider material, color, style and design. Will wooden screen doors match it? If so, would a full-view or half-view door look better? Do you want a traditional ranch-style design or something more modern? If you have it custom-made, consider incorporating a company logo or some other relevant representation into the design.

I recommend: You can evaluate various styles of screen doors at Screentight or the Wooden Screen Door Co. Also, if a wooden door is what you're looking for, you can find some tips on selecting the right one at Touchstone Woodworks, where you can also get a price quote for your choice.