Security Screen Door vs Storm Door: Which One Does Your Home Need?
A storm door is built to protect your front door from weather and add a layer against cold, usually with glass panels that swap for a screen in summer. A security screen door is built to keep people out while you leave the main door open for fresh air and a view. In most of Southern California, where the goal is airflow without leaving the house unlocked, a security screen door is the better fit.
The short version
- A storm door is mainly about weather: wind, rain, cold and wear on the main door.
- A security screen door is mainly about security with airflow: the main door open, the screen locked.
- Storm doors usually use glass and ordinary insect mesh. Security screen doors use woven stainless-steel mesh in a heavy frame.
- Most entries only have room for one door in front of the main door, so it is usually one or the other.
What a storm door is for
Storm doors are common where winters are hard. They add a layer of glass in front of the entry door, which cuts drafts and keeps rain, snow and sun off the main door.
Many storm doors have interchangeable panels: glass in winter, a screen in summer. Some have a screen that rolls down behind the glass. The screen part is usually standard insect mesh, the same kind you find in a regular screen door. Many storm doors have a keyed handle, but the panels themselves are made for weather, not for someone trying to get through.
What a security screen door is for
A security screen door does one job a storm door does not. It lets you open the main door, for air, light or a view of the street, and still keep the house locked.
It does that with three things a storm door does not usually have:
- Woven stainless-steel mesh. The mesh we install is 316 marine-grade stainless steel, made to resist cutting. See how security screens are tested.
- A frame that grips the mesh. A patented clamp holds the mesh inside a heavy-duty aluminum frame.
- A proper lock. The doors we fit lock at three points with one action, with a center deadbolt on hinged doors (per the manufacturer).
From inside, it looks much like an ordinary screen. You see out, and the breeze comes in.
Side by side
| Storm door | Security screen door | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Weather protection | Security with airflow |
| What fills the opening | Glass, or glass that swaps for a screen | Stainless-steel mesh |
| Airflow | Only when the screen panel is in | Always |
| Stops a person? | Not usually its main job | Designed to resist cutting, kicking and prying |
| Best suited to | Cold, wet or windy winters | Mild climates where doors stay open |
Which makes sense in Southern California?
Ask yourself what you actually want from the door.
If you want to keep cold air out in winter, a storm door helps. But in Los Angeles and the South Bay, most people are asking a different question: how do I leave the door open on a warm evening without leaving the house unlocked? That is what a security screen door is for.
There is also salt air to think about near the coast. If you choose a security screen door, ask for 316 stainless mesh by name. Read: 316 vs 304 stainless steel
What about a regular screen door?
A regular screen door is lighter still. It keeps bugs out and that is all. If you are comparing all three, read security screen door vs regular screen door. And if bugs are the only problem, a retractable screen may be all you need.
Before you buy either
- Check the space: is there room for an outer door to swing?
- Look at the lock: does it have its own key, and how many points does it lock at?
- Ask what the mesh is made of, by name and grade.
Frequently asked questions
Does a security screen door insulate like a storm door?
No. It is mesh, not glass, so air moves through it. That is the point: it is made for keeping the house cool and open, not sealed.
Is a storm door secure?
It adds a layer in front of your door, but glass can break and the screen panel is usually insect mesh. It is not built or tested the way a security screen door is.
Can I still see out through a security screen door?
Yes. From inside, the mesh looks much like an ordinary insect screen.
Will a security screen door fit an entry with sidelights or double doors?
Yes. Screens can be made for sidelights, and French or double doors get a matching pair. More about French door screens
Which is better for a front door in Los Angeles?
For most homes that want fresh air and a locked entry, a security screen door. See hinged security screen doors and real front doors.