2026 Buyer's Guide for Northern Virginia, DC & Maryland Homes. Compare Clearview, Phantom, Mirage and Magnatrack — and find out why local installation matters.
Anyone can sell you a screen door. The hard part is matching the right product to your home, your doorway, and your budget — and installing it so it actually works for years, not months.
This guide compares the four most popular retractable screen door brands serving Northern Virginia: Clearview, Phantom, Mirage, and Magnatrack. We carry and service all of them, so you'll get straight answers — not a sales pitch for one brand.
Side-by-side comparison of the four leading retractable screen door brands installed in Northern Virginia.
| Feature | Clearview | Phantom | Mirage | Magnatrack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom-fit (cut to your doorway) | ✓ Yes — cut on-site | Cut at factory | Cut at factory | Cut at factory |
| Made in America | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✕ Canada/Imported | ✓ Yes |
| Lifetime warranty on screen mesh | ✓ Lifetime | Limited | 5-year | 10-year |
| Installed by manufacturer-trained team | ✓ In-house, NoVA-based | Dealer network (varies) | Dealer network (varies) | Dealer network (varies) |
| Same-day local service | ✓ Yes — local crew | ✕ Schedule via dealer | ✕ Schedule via dealer | ✕ Schedule via dealer |
| Magnetic latching | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pet-resistant mesh option | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Optional upgrade | ✓ Yes |
| Motorized option (large openings) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| Free in-home estimate | ✓ Yes — local | Varies by dealer | Varies by dealer | Varies by dealer |
| Typical install timeline | 2–3 weeks | 4–8 weeks | 4–8 weeks | 3–6 weeks |
Comparison reflects standard product offerings. Pricing varies by door size, mesh type, and configuration. Get a personalized quote ›
What separates a great retractable screen door installation from a mediocre one is the people behind it. Here's why we're the local pick.
We install everything ourselves. No subcontractors, no scheduling delays through a remote dealer. Our team lives in NoVA — your installer knows your neighborhood.
Phantom, Mirage, and Magnatrack offer 5-, 10-year, or limited warranties on the mesh. Clearview backs ours for life — torn, damaged, or worn out, we replace it.
Every doorway is slightly different. Other brands ship a factory-cut unit and hope it fits. We measure, cut, and finish on-site for a clean, gap-free install.
National brands routinely take 4–8 weeks because the order has to bounce through a dealer and a factory. We carry stock, build to order, and finish in 2–3 weeks.
Magnet wears out? Track gets stuck? We're a phone call and a short drive away — not a national help line. 25+ years of service in the DMV.
Single doors, French doors, sliding doors, and large openings.
Already have a Phantom, Mirage, or Magnatrack? We service those too.
Real reviews from homeowners who compared brands before choosing Clearview.
"I was originally going to go with Phantom but the wait was 6 weeks and the closest dealer was an hour away. Clearview was here for the estimate within 3 days and installed 2 weeks later. Quality is excellent."
"We compared three brands. Mirage had the cheaper sticker price but a 5-year warranty. Clearview matched the price and gave us a lifetime warranty on the mesh. Easy decision."
"The installer measured everything and cut the unit on-site. Looks like the door was always supposed to have a screen — no gaps, perfect fit. Five stars."
The questions homeowners ask before choosing a retractable screen door.
"Better" depends on what you're optimizing for. Phantom has more name recognition and a wider dealer network. Clearview is custom-fit on-site, has a lifetime warranty on mesh, and is installed by the same local crew that services it. For Northern Virginia homes, that local accountability is usually what tips the decision.
Pricing varies by door size, mesh type, and configuration (single, French, sliding, motorized). Most single-door installs in the DMV fall between $800 and $1,800. French doors and large openings range higher. We provide free in-home estimates so you get a real number, not a range.
A properly installed retractable screen door should last 15–25 years with normal use. Mesh, magnets, and tension springs may need adjustment or replacement during that life. We service every brand, including the units we didn't install.
Yes — Clearview installs retractable screens on single doors, French doors (double doors), sliding glass doors, and large openings up to 25 feet wide using motorized configurations. We measure your doorway and recommend the right product.
From signed quote to installed door, typically 2–3 weeks. National brands routing through a dealer-and-factory pipeline often take 4–8 weeks for the same job.
Free estimate. Local crew. No obligation.
Premium retractable screen doors throughout Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland.
Free in-home estimate. Local crew. Lifetime warranty on the mesh. Talk to a Northern Virginia specialist today.