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OK folks, you know our team of expert product testers delivers high quality reviews for all the best home gym equipment you can dream of—but did you know that we’re also thinking about your garage gym as a whole structure?
From the best lighting for garage gyms to the best heating options, we’ve got your back on literally all things garage gym related. That’s why we’re diving into the best garage door screens available on the market. We want you to know which screen gives you the best bang for your buck (and the best airflow).
We also polled our Home Gym Community on Facebook to see how our members are putting screens doors to use.
Best Garage Door Screens
- Best Overall Garage Door Screen: Fresh Air Screens
- Best Retractable Garage Door Screen: Lifestyle Garage Screen
- Best Budget Garage Door Screen: FEGO Garage Screen
- Best Garage Door Screen for Easy Installation: Pick for Life Magnetic Screen
- Best Garage Door Screen for Two-Car Garages: Snap On Screens
Best Overall Garage Door Screen: Fresh Air Screens
Good for: Folks looking for a screen made from durable materials at a reasonable price
Fresh Air Screens
Product Highlights
- Made with 18/16 fiberglass mesh
- Multiple sizes available
- Easy to install
- Doesn’t interfere with garage door opening or closing
- Apply to the frame using the hook-and-loop method
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Brand offers stationary and retractable screen options
- Can accommodate either single or double-car garages
- 3-zipper option allows each panel to be raised or closed for versatility
- This is a great option if you need to move vehicles daily
- Mesh rod pocket increases flexibility without allowing bugs in
Cons
- Style is not quite as aesthetically pleasing as some competitors' styles
- A little more expensive than similar garage screen options
Bottom Line
Fresh Air Screens offer a variety of styles and options to fit your specific home needs. They give you some different add-ons including a rope and pull kit and an adhesive in either white or black to best blend in with your garage colors. The screen will last longer if not stored outside in extreme or wet climates. While more expensive than other competitors, this screen is a unique option for your garage gym.
Fresh Air Screens made it to the top of our list for the best garage door screen because of the price and size options (for single car garages or double garage doors).
The Fresh Air Screens are also available to buy at Home Depot and come with an easy-to-read installation guide. You’ll use an adhesive Velcro strip around the frame of your garage (which is included) and then use Velcro hook and loop closure that frames the screen to attach to the garage door frame.
Once installed, the mesh screen is made from heavy-duty and tear-resistant fiberglass material to make your garage gym an enclosure that still gets plenty of airflow.
One GGR Facebook group member writes, “keeps the bugs out, keeps the garage cooler, and adds privacy when the garage door is open.” Sounds like a pretty good deal!
It’s also easy to pass through the garage and enter and exit with the zipper down the middle on two-car garage door panels and two zippers on either side of the panel for one-car garages. Plus, these screens don’t interfere with garage-door opening or closing.
According to the user manual, all Fresh Air screens come with a rod pocket at the bottom that can accommodate a 3/4″ PVC pipe. Inserting a rod here helps to keep the screen in good form when it is rolled up and helps seal the bottom when the screen is down.
| Price range | $250 to $385 |
| Material | Fiberglass mesh |
| Weight | N/A |
| Width options | 8’, 9’ 10’ 16’ and 18’ |
| Height options | 7’ and 8’ |
Best Retractable Garage Door Screen: Lifestyle Garage Screen
Good for: Anyone looking for a retractable, spring-loaded screen that runs on tracks
Lifestyle Screens Garage Door Screen
Product Highlights
- 3 color options
- 5 different sizes available
- Made in the USA
- Built to last
- Easy to use
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Brings in air and light to your garage, but keeps the bugs out
- Works with your existing garage door
- Includes a fully-retractable, spring-loaded system
- Runs on a steel-track system that is basically maintenance-free
- Makes your garage a more versatile space to enjoy
Cons
- Can be hard to install by yourself
- A little bit expensive, but could be worth it if you use your garage a lot
Bottom Line
A garage screen that is built to not only be durable, but also functional, this screen at its core is a great investment that allows you to get more out of your garage space. It also has add-on features available such as a pet keeper and door slide locks to accommodate families with pets and/or kids. With different sizes available, this garage screen can really help you utilize and enjoy your space more.
The Lifestyle Garage Screen is a slightly different type of garage door screen, because it’s not the traditional roll-up screen you often find in your neighborhood. It’s a mesh screen surrounded by a heavy-duty aluminum frame that occupies the same position as your solid garage door.
The screen door runs on maintenance free tracks, which are independent (but similar) to your primary garage door tracks, which can give you an excellent seal for keeping bugs out versus a screen with independent fasteners.
That said, this screen system will likely require professional installation—but we think the one-time cost of having the tracks and screen door installed will be well worth the ease of use.
This screen doesn’t blow in the wind or roll up when you’re done. To retract the screen from the ground, you manually adjust the door so the screen runs along its tracks and sits parallel to the ceiling (like your actual garage door!).
One of our Facebook group members comments that the Lifestyle Garage Screen, “[is the] best $1,000 I’ve spent on my garage. Have a terrible mosquito problem in my area as I live near a lake. This keeps them out of my garage completely.”
Plus, this Lifestyle screen has an optional feature of choosing a door-within-a-door allowing for easy entry and exit—basically a sliding door built into the screen frame.
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| Price range | $1,535 to $17,735 |
| Material | N/A |
| Weight | 117 lbs |
| Width options | 9’, 10’, 12’, 16’, 18’ |
| Height options | 7’ |
Best Budget Garage Door Screen: FEGO Garage Screen
Good for: Individuals looking to get a cross-breeze for under $100
FEGO Garage Door Screen
Product Highlights
- 11 different sizes available
- 1-time installation
- 24-piece gravity sticks at the bottom of the screen
- Built for a 2-car garage
- Allows fresh air and light into your space
- Can be installed in minutes
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gravity sticks help the screen withstand strong breezes
- Can be used in multiple different spaces
- 40 magnets in the middle for a quick and efficient seal
- Comes with storage belts for the off-season
- Utilizes anti-scratch-and-tear fiberglass material
Cons
- Some customers had issues with the magnets catching on their garage doors
- Doesn’t secure kids or pets
Bottom Line
An inexpensive option that gives you the ability to utilize different spaces such as your garage, patio, porch, or balcony by allowing air and sunlight in while keeping bugs and other nuisances out. With multiple magnets in the middle for a quick seal and gravity sticks on the bottom to keep it in place, this garage screen will allow you to get a great workout in without being in a dark, stuffy garage. With the design research having been completed with the user in mind, you will be worry-free while enjoying your garage gym!
The FEGO Garage Screen is a budget-friendly roll-up screen kit that is available in a variety of dimensions on Amazon. FEGO screens are priced under $100 and are constructed from durable fiberglass mesh, which is resistant to scratches and tears.
The magnetic middle seam makes it easy to enter and exit the garage completely hands-free. The powerful magnets actually allow the seam to pull shut again and close automatically.
One of the members on the GGR Facebook community says this is “the most underrated garage gym purchase,” and then goes on to boast about the affordable price tag and ease of ordering from Amazon.
It’s also easy to install with adhesive hook and loop strips. Plus, FEGO screens come with additional push pins for added strength during installation. It’s also retractable and can be rolled up for parking or detached for off-season storage.
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| Price range | $40 to $70 on Amazon |
| Material | Fiberglass |
| Weight | N/A |
| Width options | 8’, 9’, 10’, 12, 14’, 16’, and 18’ |
| Height options | 7’, 7.15’ and 8.15’ |
Best Garage Door Screen for Easy Installation: Pick for Life Magnetic Screen
Good for: Anyone looking for an easy to install screen that also offers durability
PICK FOR LIFE Garage Door Screen
Product Highlights
- Available in multiple sizes
- Middle magnetic closure for a hands-free entry
- Made with high-quality materials
- Can be installed in minutes
- Fully-reinforced edges for added durability
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Designed to seal around the entire edge of your garage door or other space
- Easily folds up for storage in the off-season
- Fiberglass mesh is fireproof and corrosion- and tear-resistant
- Includes 16 gravity sticks on the bottom sides
- Extra push pins to increase security and strength
Cons
- Some customers felt the velcro wasn’t quite strong enough and used alternatives such as gorilla tape
- Magnets can stick to garage doors when opening and closing
Bottom Line
A wide variety of sizes for this garage door screen gives you the ability to choose the screen that fits your needs. The basic, yet durable design of this garage door screen adds versatility to any space, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight of being outside without pesky bugs and other pests and rodents. This magnetic screen is a much more cost-efficient option than a more-structured garage screen system.Customers enjoyed how easy to use this garage door screen was and loved the affordable price. Some users weren’t fans of the velcro, however at this price point, this screen is hard to beat.
Pick For Life Magnetic Screen doors are reasonably priced and come in a variety of sizes to fit double doors or single door frames. The Pick For Life screens have a walk-through design that features strong, powerful magnets and weighted gravity sticks for an automatic closure at the seam. This helps the screen stay stable with wind and other general movement.
Pick For Life is another DIY option with easy installation with adhesive Velcro strips. After installing the Velcro, you’ll be able to use the hook and loop strips on the mesh screen door to attach the panel to the frame. It also comes with push pins to hold the Velcro in place.
A GGR Facebook member notes that “for anyone out there who’s been bombarded with mosquitos or any flies of the sort, this has been one of the best investments for my gym.” He adds that he lives in Texas and highly recommends a screen for folks living in warmer climates.
It’s retractable and can easily be rolled up for parking or when not in use. The screen is made from durable fiberglass mesh with reinforced edges. You’ll also like knowing the screen material is tear-resistant and fireproof.
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| Price | $42 to $120 on Amazon |
| Material | Fiberglass |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs |
| Width options | 8’, 9’, 10’, 12’, 16’, and 18’ |
| Height options | 7’ and 8’ |
Best Garage Door Screen for Two-Car Garages: Snap On Screens
Good for: People looking for a durable screen for a two-car garage
Snap On Screens Garage Screen
Product Highlights
- Unique, pass-through design
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Made with high-quality materials
- Convenient to use
- Easy to assemble
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Middle zipper can be used on the inside and outside
- Install and remove the screen in minutes
- Only tool needed for assembly is a Phillips screwdriver
- Screen mesh is lightweight, but reinforced with UV poly pro webbing
Cons
- Many customers had issues with snaps and ended up purchasing stronger ones
- Screen materials are a little thinner than some competitors
Bottom Line
This snap-on screen offers you the chance to fully utilize your garage or partly outdoor space while keeping bugs out and letting air and light in. Many customers found ways to add things such as PVC pipe for off-season storage and stronger snaps to their screen door. While this garage screen may require some extra work to suit your needs, many customers found this to be a great option to add to their homes for a variety of purposes.
The Snap on Screens offers a different solution for fastening the screen to your garage door—instead of adhesive strips of Velcro, this brand is fastened with snaps.
The pass-through design is easy to get in and out of the garage with the middle zippered seam. Snap On Screens are made from lightweight fiberglass mesh material, and are reinforced with UV polypro webbing, which makes this option breathable and durable.
One of our Facebook community members, Kain Bridgette writes that the Snap On Screen is “easily my most prized addition to the gym, especially as it heats up here in AZ. Garage screen keeps the flies, mosquitoes and leaves out while still letting the breeze and sunshine in.”
Kian also says the Snap On Screens “hold up great, and may last longer depending on how often the garage door gets opened and closed,” he says after noting he replaced the screen after three years. “I highly recommend them and I’m certain we will always have one in our garage.”
Although this option with snaps might take a little longer to install, it can offer a strong seal against insects and debris. We also think it’s worth noting that some customer reviews note that the snaps need to be reinforced with nails or pushpins, but after reinforcing the weight of the screen is not a problem.
| Price | $190 on Amazon |
| Material | Fiberglass |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs |
| Width options | 16’ |
| Height options | 8’ |
Other Garage Door Screens We Researched
Larson Retractable Screen Doors: These are pretty snazzy motorized screen doors, but we didn’t pick them because they are expensive and when you purchase through Lowe’s you can only get 9-foot wide screens. Plus, these often require professional installation.
LADER Garage Door Screen for 2 Car Garage: Although this is a decent budget price-point, there were not enough reviews on Amazon for our team to bring this brand on to our top picks.
How We Picked Garage Door Screens
Our selection process always starts with research. We want to find out what people are buying and what products people are talking about on the internet.
We also intrust our Home Gym Community on Facebook to lead us in the right direction. GGR’s head of content, Kate Meier polled our online community for answers and scoured the forum for what folks are buying and enjoying.
After initial research, we take a deeper dive into each product with customer reviews, company policies, price, and overall usability. We like to pick products that will work for the majority of people in most situations.
This usually brings us to a more refined list where we can discern if the products we’re going to feature will benefit you folks at home. And if the answer is yes, then it’s more than likely it made our best list.
Benefits of Garage Door Screens
Here are the biggest benefits we see to adding a screen to your garage door:
Increased Airflow
Even the smallest of garage doors provides a big opening. Adding a screen to your garage door can help you increase the airflow in your gym area without bugs and critters crawling in. We think this is ideal if your garage smells musty or is often humid.
You Won’t Have to Run Your AC
Depending on where you live, having a screen on your garage door could help you run your air conditioning unit less often. Plus, if you’re someone who likes it hot, a screen door can help air out your sweaty workout area.
Turn Off the Lights
Not only can a screen door help offset runtime on an air conditioner, using a screen can also allow tons of natural light to come into your garage, which can allow you to keep the lights off and save energy.
What to Look For When Buying a Garage Door Screen
Here are some factors to consider when shopping for a garage door screen:
Dimensions
Just like buying one of the best cardio machines for your home gym, you will need to take measurements before you click that add to cart button. You’ll want to make sure that your garage door opening is compatible with the product you are considering. Plus, I think it’s worth noting that nearly all of the products we picked for this best list offer a variety of dimensions.
Material and Durability
While not every brand discloses the material the screens are constructed from, it’s ideal to look for durable materials like aluminum, fiberglass, or vinyl, which can withstand exposure to the elements and resist tearing.
Ease of Use
When shopping for a screen, you’ll want to consider how easy it is to get in and out of the garage when the screen is in place (especially if you have kids and pets). Look for features such as self-closing mechanisms, magnetic closures, and easy-to-use handles or latches.
Installation
Is the product you’re eyeing a DIY installation? Or will the screen require a professional installation. Most roll-up screens are easy enough to do it yourself, but there are still installation factors to consider.
Garage Door Screens FAQs
Are garage screens worth it?
It will ultimately depend on how much you plan to use your screen door. Although there are budget options when it comes to garage door screens, it won’t be worth it unless you make use of it. If you live in a climate where it will be ideal to train in the garage with the door open multiple months out of the year, then it could be worth it for you and your family.
However, if you are concerned about security or lack of privacy when using the screen door, it might be worth keeping your garage door closed and install one of the best AC for garage gyms instead.
Do garage door screens go inside or outside?
Many budget-friendly options for garage door screens will go on the outside of your garage door, near the weather seal. However, there are retractable options that utilize the tracks of your existing garage door. These are typically more expensive and even more so if motorized.
Can you add a screen door to a garage door?
You can install a screen to your garage door. In fact, we have a list of the five best options that allow you to easily install a screen to your garage door:
Best Overall Garage Door Screen: Fresh Air Screens
Best Spring-Loaded Garage Door Screen: Lifestyle Garage Screen
Best Budget Garage Door Screen: FEGO Garage Screen
Best Garage Door Screen for Two-Car Garages: Pick for Life Magnetic Screen
Best Garage Door Screen for Easy Installation: Snap On Screens
Further reading
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