Screen Door and Screen Porch FAQ

Well, there really have been no improvements or innovations to the classic American screen door. The method of construction and the material (usually wood) have basically always been the same. As prime wood has become scarcer the overall quality of screen doors in America has actually decreased. There are certainly some well made wood screen doors available, but the average screen door is constructed with finger-jointed wood strips that are a byproduct of another operation.

The new door is composed of expanded closed cell vinyl profiles extruded at Screen Tight’s plant in Georgetown, SC. Screen Tight has developed a proprietary process that results in an extremely durable and workable product. The components are assembled via dowel & glue construction. In summary, Screen Tight produced a Better Board which builds a better screen door.

Anyone who has lived with a typical screen door for any length of time would not ask this question because they have battled torn screens, difficult replacement and repair of screen, sagging, nightmarish painting, rot, and swelling wood components that at times make the door difficult to open and close.

Everything fades over time, however, PVC compound has been used in windows, siding and numerous other outdoor building product applications for years. The Screen Tight profiles are comprised of the same amount of UV stabilizers found in these proven products.

If your wood screen door needs to be trimmed, complete before you seal, prime, or paint the door. A circular saw will do the job. Simply determine the desired amount to trim. (Make sure not to trim more than 3/8″ from any side and no more than 1/2″ from the bottom.)

Unfinished screen doors need to be sealed or painted, however, pressure treated doors do not have to be sealed, painted or stained however, this may help protect the door against the elements and extend the longevity of the product. 

Wrap N’ Snap™ Column Wrap is a patented system for creating long-lasting, maintenance-free columns in minutes. Combining the benefits of cellular PVC with the ease of installation of our invention, Wrap n Snap consists of four pre mitered panels, a temporary tape on the corners and a snap-lock. Wrap n Snap combines style and elegance with ease of installation and cost effectiveness.

Wrap N’ Snap™ is designed for either the professional installer or the Do-It-Yourselfers and can be used on either new construction or remodeling projects.

Wrap N’ Snap™ is designed to wrap around a structural support, typically treated wood posts. The installer cuts to length, adds adhesive in the grooves and folds the material around the column until it snaps. The temporary tape is removed after the adhesive has set, typically within 4-24 hours. Pre-mitered trim pieces and various moldings are available to complete the column.

A PVC adhesive like those used to bond cellular PVC boards and sheets with a sufficient “open time” is recommended. A typical brand is Christy’s Red Hot PVC Adhesive.

Wrap N’ Snap™ is made from cellular PVC sheets that contain the same UV stabilizers used in PVC windows, siding and other PVC products proven to resist yellowing or fading.

Yes. Sanding the surface and applying a primer is recommended before painting with a good quality acrylic latex paint for outdoor use.

Wrap N’ Snap™ is available in five sizes — 4×4, 6×6, 8×8 and 10×10 — in both 8.5-foot and 10-foot lengths.

Screen Tight^® is a patented porch screening system designed to eliminate the old cumbersome method of staples, nails, wooden lattice and paint. It provides the maintenance-free qualities of vinyl with the proven method of spline screening that adapts to wooden frame porches.

The Screen Tight screening system is UV protected vinyl and mounts visibly on the exterior of your porch. MINItrack and FASTtrack are aluminum tracks that have 100% hidden fasteners that can mount on the inside and outside of your porch structure.

Screen Tight^® is designed for both the Do-it-yourselfers and professional installers. It can be used on both remodeling jobs and new construction.

Recommended spline sizes are: Fiberglass Screen – .175″ Aluminum Screen – .160″

Yes! Screen Tight^® is made of an outdoor grade vinyl similar to that used on vinyl clad windows.

No! When you add up all the cost associated with the old method (wooden molding, paint, staples, nails, and replacement costs) and compare it to the one-time cost of the Screen Tight^® system, it becomes obvious that Screen Tight^® is the better investment. Everything you need to screen your porch usually costs approximately $1.00 per square foot of opening. This would include fiberglass screen, spline, all Screen Tight^® components and screws.

8 foot lengths are standard. 12′ 1-1/2″ caps and 10′ 3-1/2″ caps can be special ordered.

Screen Tight^® caps are available in White, Grey, Beige and Brown.

Hundreds of lumber yards and home centers across the country stock Screen Tight^®. Stores affiliated with Ace, Servistar, True Value, Do-It Best, BMA, and LMC have the product in stock or available. Large chain stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Carter Lumber, National Home Center and others stock Screen Tight^®.

Visit our dealer locator page or call 1-800-768-7325. We do sell direct where Screen Tight^® is not available.

Screen Tight^® uses the spline method of screening which every window manufacturer in the country uses. The screen is rolled into place with spline and a screen roller which is easier than staples and wood lattice.

No. Everything is straight cut. No miters.

A screen roller for rolling screen and spline, mallet for snapping the cap into place, a utility knife, standard snips or chop saw for cutting and a drill gun for attaching the base.