In most months of the year, patio screen doors are the barrier between our inside and outside worlds. They offer us an unobstructed view of the outside while we are inside, allowing us to take in the sights, smells and sounds without actually being outside. Patio screen doors give us the ability to be one place and feel like we are somewhere else.

There are many types of patio screen doors to choose from, whether you visit your local home improvement store or specialty retailer, or if you do a thorough search online. There are retractable patio screen doors, allowing you make the screen disappear when you want a less obstructed view of the outdoors. There also are sliding patio doors, which can come with built-in blinds to add privacy and help control the temperature inside your home.

Patio screen doors let the warm or cool air blow in, leaving your home smelling fresher. Without this fresh air, our homes are more stagnant and can turn into smells that we simply get used to over time. Utilizing a door like this in more temperate months will allow you to get overly recycled air out of your home and new air in, allowing you to breathe easier.

Patio screen doors also can help reduce energy heating and cooling bills in more temperate months. Many homeowners have seen reductions in their bills during fall and spring, when doors are kept open more frequently and kids are running inside and outside of the house all day. This type of door allows for more interaction between people inside and outside of the house, therefore allowing for more frequent friendly conversation or dissemination of information.

Patio screen doors also keep pesky bugs out while allowing you to enjoy the outdoors at any time of day or night and at any time of year. If you are in a climate that is prone to larger, more invasive bugs, then this type of door can help keep them out of your home. It can add an extra layer of protection so that the pest must get through not one but two doors in order to get inside your home.

There are a variety of options to suit any style, from traditional, to contemporary, to trendy. Check area home improvement stores and online to see about cost, quality and craftsmanship. Look for only the sturdiest, most durable materials to keep you and your family safe.