Is Harbor Freight's Magnetic Garage Screen Door Worth Buying?

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Most of us look forward to the warm, clear days of summer. And if you often work in the garage, whether tinkering with your vehicle or practicing a hobby, you're bound to enjoy having the door open to let in the fresh air. Unfortunately, that also means letting in mosquitos and other bugs you could do without. Or dust and debris that seems to land on everything — like onto that fresh coat of paint or varnish you just applied. 

You may have a screen door for your house's traditional doors to prevent all that stuff. In fact, a stylish screen door can actually increase your home's curb appeal. So why not use the same idea for the garage? Well, that's exactly what the Harbor Freight Double Garage Screen Door is for, but is it worth buying? At just $24.99, it's certainly tough to beat on price, and more than half of Harbor Freight's customer reviews give it 5-star ratings. There are some potential drawbacks, though, so let's take a look at the pros and cons.

Harbor Freight claims that their magnetic garage screen door can be installed in just minutes, and the straightforward fitting kit seems to bear this out. There are Philips screws to attach the top and hook and loop strips for the sides. If you've invested in those basic tools every homeowner should have, installing the unit should be a breeze. Magnets down the center section mean it automatically snap closed behind you, which is ideal if you've got your hands full or expect traffic from pets and kids. Buckles allow you to roll it up to the top when you want it out of the way.

Customer comments like "They are very easy to hang" and "Took less than 10 minutes to install" reinforce the no-fuss nature of this garage screen door. Most were delighted with the value for money, and several had bought more than one. They aren't just used for garages either. One happy buyer reflected on what several had done: "We use them on our porches and patio, helps keep out bugs and birds." (via Harbor Freight)

The majority of owners appear more than satisfied with their purchase. Fewer than a dozen people gave only 1- or 2-star reviews. However, they did draw attention to a couple of flaws that are worth considering. Some question the durability of the polyester screen, and because the bottom isn't weighted down, breezes can lift it and sometimes allow dirt and insects through.

Any solution that's more effective will almost certainly be more expensive, but there are several options for a better screen door, depending on how you want to use your garage. Though prices rise to around a hundred dollars, the most budget-friendly alternatives are models like the Laapee Sliding Garage Door. It has harder-wearing fiberglass fabric and a weighted bottom, making it less troubled by wind. It can also keep out pets that can push through the Harbor Freight garage screen door with little effort.

Moving up from that are solid, up-and-over garage screen doors that work like garage doors but have their own track. These start at around fourteen hundred dollars, so they're perhaps more suitable for those thinking of turning their garage into another fun and functional room rather than just somewhere to park vehicles or as a workshop or storage. The ultimate in luxury comes from motorized roll-up garage door screens with remote control operation. Expect to pay upwards of three thousand dollars for these.

There's plenty of choice; of course, a lot will depend on how you use your garage and the money you have for the project. The bottom line is that there may be more durable and more attractive options than the Harbor Freight magnetic garage screen door, but if you want a quick and easy, low-cost solution, it could well be worth buying.