Portable Screen/Mesh Doors - Do they work well?

[MSUSpartanKat]

Has anyone used those portable screen doors, "instant mesh" doors? My boyfriend and I just bought our first home and we don't have screens on a couple of the doors. I'm a bigger fan of opening windows and doors for a breeze rather than use air conditioning, so I thought about trying these out. The doors, one leading to the garage and a french door set leading to the patio, don't have tracks or anything installed to actually buy screen doors and since we have other higher priorities, I was hoping I could make due for the rest of the summer with a portable one.

Can anyone comment on these types of instant screen doors? Did you like them? I don't have kids or dogs so nothing would be pulling on them.

Instant Screen Door: http://www.harrietcarter.com/household-helpers_household-gadgets/screen-door/
Portable Mesh Door: http://www.mileskimball.com/MilesKimball/Shopping/ProductDetail.aspx?CID=Outdoor&SCID=Front+Door&ProductID=0000036019
Portable Mesh Door 2: http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-DOOR,-Window-fly-net-MESH-SCREEN-Keep-BUGS-OUT_W0QQitemZ230293456772QQcmdZViewItem

[Jenefer3]

We've used the mesh screens (from the Miles Kimball site). They work okay. We put them on our front and back door but since the breeze was so strong (it's like a wind tunnel but the back and front doors are almost directly across from each other), it actually caused one to blow outward, which defeated the purpose of them. The "weight" that's at the bottom isn't very heavy so some breezes may cause them to blow outward.

We use the velcro to hold them up, they stay up well, even with our kids running in and out. The velcro on the side (to hold it to the door frame on the sides) didn't seem to work so well. It does cut down on bugs though.

If you're just using it for the rest of summer, I would say that it would work well. We've had our current ones since last summer and the material is started to come apart, like little snags in the material. We got them at Walmart for 12.97 each (look in the hardware/paint department where they have the adjustable screens).

[Foodie77]

In my experience putting up any type of non sealed screen, bugs find their way in. Way better than nothing at all, but if you live in a buggy area, for example FL, it will not stop bugs, especially mosquitos, knats, and other small insects.

From the pictures though, it looks like you could get a decent semi seal

[MSUSpartanKat]

Thanks for the information! I don't live in a buggy area, so I think it should work okay, but I'm allergic to bees so I wanted to make sure that kind of insect didn't get in.

I wasn't aware you could get them at wal-mart....thanks for the heads up. I'll check my local one first.

[dinosmom]

I have one for my large garage door because its like the party place for my neighborhood. LOL It works GREAT! The one I have is like the Miles Kimball one but its for the large garage door. It comes with velcro to attach to the sides so they dont open up and the opening in the center is overlapped and has magnets to keep it closed. Even on the buggiest days, we never had a problem with bugs getting in.

[Eyore]

Here's 4 reviews
http://www.amazon.com/Jobar-Jobars-Instant-Screen-Door/product-reviews/B000Q94CH2/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Here's 7 reviews
http://www.stacksandstacks.com/instant-screen-door-mounts-with-velcro/