Screen all options before buying security door

Security screen doors are popular in this breezy fall weather. A well-made metal door along with its key-style lock allows you to securely leave your front door open to allow the fresh air to circulate. An added benefit is the way the perforated metal screen works. From inside the home, you can see out and scrutinize the person coming up to visit while they cannot see you.

Like many of you, I like to support our local businesses whenever I can. I also love to write raving reviews when they've done a good job. However, there are times when it seems that the large home-improvement chains have a handle on good customer service and provide an excellent product that can't be rivaled.

After a recent disappointing experience with a local wrought-iron company, I found a wonderful solution to the security door situation. My newest preference in doors is made by Titan, a national company known for its quality and style. The company sells its security screen doors under the name Titan at one large home-improvement store and under the name of Unique Home Designs at the other large home-improvement chain.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using a local wrought-iron company vs. a large home-improvement store for your security screen door. Following are some comparisons for your consideration. If some of these points are important to you, be sure they are brought up in your initial meeting and written on your contract/invoice.

The Titan door has many designs to choose from, and it's likely that you will find one that fits your home design. However, a local wrought-iron business has unlimited designs, and you can even create your own design to have something different than anyone else, a big plus for the local business. Colors are limited by the Titan Co., but they are painted with a durable powder coat finish. A local shop can give you any color you want, but also are limited in color if you want a powder coat finish.

Titan doors are finished beautifully on the inside. Where the screen is on the back side of the door, the company has finished and protected the edges with an "L" shaped metal cover. The cover is secured with small, hard-to-see rivets that won't catch your clothing. A local company I recently purchased from left the raw edges of screen secured with painted hex head screws. It looked unfinished to me.

What finally tips the scales toward the Titan door (for me) is what's included in its basic package. They come with a threshold, a bug sweep and weather stripping around the door. The bug sweep and weather stripping is vital if you want to keep out little pesky creatures. If you order a door other than Titan, be sure to tell your custom company that you want these features. In my experience, they were not mentioned and not installed.

It's great that we have options, and it's good to be educated on a topic. Whether you are purchasing your security screen door from a local business or a large home-improvement store, do your due diligence, make a list of questions to ask the sales person and be sure everything is in writing before you buy.

Once ordered, you will soon be experiencing the breezes of fall refreshing your home, while you lounge securely inside.

Cindy Payne is a certified interior designer with more than 25 years of experience, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, as well as a licensed contractor. Email questions to her at deardesigner@
projectdesigninteriors.com or send them to her at Project Design Interiors, 2620 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 189, Las Vegas, NV 89109. She can be reached online at www.projectdesigninteriors.com.