The back door often handles the everyday jobs: taking out rubbish, carrying laundry, bringing in groceries and stepping into the garden. A fly screen for this entrance needs to suit those routines as well as the doorway itself.
What type of fly screen is best for a back door? A retractable or pleated screen is worth considering when you want to move the mesh aside without a swinging panel. A hinged fly screen door can suit an entrance with sufficient swing clearance. A magnetic mesh curtain may suit temporary use where its attachment and closure are compatible with the frame. For every option, check mounting space, mesh specification, door operation and daily access.
This guide compares back door fly screens for Australian homes, with practical checks for measurements, property conditions, costs, delivery and installation.
Back Door Fly Screen Types: A Practical Comparison
| Screen type | How it opens | When to consider it | Main checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll-up retractable fly screen | Mesh rolls into a housing. | You want to store the mesh when screening is not needed. | Housing space, guides, operating direction and closure. |
| Pleated or accordion fly screen | Pleated mesh folds into a stack. | You prefer a folding screen that moves aside without a swinging panel. | Stack space, lower-track arrangement, operating reach and size limits. |
| Hinged fly screen door | A framed mesh panel swings open. | The entrance has suitable swing space and mounting surfaces. | Hinges, latch position, landing clearance and collision with the main door. |
| Magnetic mesh curtain | Mesh sections separate for passage and use magnets to close. | You need a temporary setup with a compatible attachment surface. | Attachment suitability, perimeter gaps and reliable centre closure. |
These are different access solutions, not a ranking from worst to best. A correctly fitted screen that is easy to use consistently is more practical than a feature-rich system that does not suit the opening.
A fixed window fly screen is not the same as a hinged fly screen door. For a back entrance, compare products designed to allow passage rather than placing a fixed panel across the doorway.
Are Pleated and Retractable Fly Screens Different?
A pleated fly screen is one type of retractable screen. The difference is how the mesh stores: a roll-up design winds mesh into a housing, while a pleated or accordion design folds it into a stack.
For a back door, compare the actual housing or stack dimensions, handle position, closing arrangement and lower guide. These details vary between models.
Do not assume that every retractable screen closes automatically, has a flush threshold or offers the same operating force. Check the selected product's specification.
Choose Around How You Use the Back Entrance
Groceries, Laundry and Frequent Trips Outside
If you regularly carry bulky items, check how you will open the screen and move it clear of the passage. Consider whether the operating handle is comfortably reachable from both sides and how much usable width remains when the screen is stored.
A retractable screen avoids a swinging mesh panel, but it still requires an operating action unless the product specifically provides otherwise. It should not be assumed to offer hands-free passage.
A Small Landing or Narrow Side Path
A hinged screen door needs room to swing without hitting a wall, the main door or someone standing on the landing. A retractable system may suit limited swing space, provided its housing or folded stack has adequate mounting space.
Also examine the sill and any lower track. Where accessible passage matters, check the complete installed arrangement rather than relying on a description such as “low profile”.
Temporary Screening in a Rental Property
A removable mesh curtain may suit occasional use, but confirm the attachment method and any permission needed before fitting it. Adhesive fixings can affect paint or finishes even when marketed as removable.
Can a Fly Screen Fit Your Existing Back Door?
A suitable configuration may fit an existing entrance, but opening width and height are only part of the check. Open and close the main door fully and inspect the proposed screen position.
- Door swing: establish whether the main door opens inward or outward and whether its movement crosses the screen position.
- Handles and locks: check projecting hardware on both sides.
- Door closer: include the closer arm and its movement where fitted.
- Mounting surfaces: confirm there is suitable space and support for the required fixings.
- Door sill: record steps, slopes and uneven surfaces that could affect the lower guide or closure.
- Usable passage: account for the installed frame, housing or folded stack.
For outward-opening doors, pay particular attention to projecting handles and the full swing path. An inside or outside mount should not be assumed suitable without checking the individual system.
Standard insect screens are not security doors, fall-prevention barriers or pet containment systems. Check relevant requirements if the entrance is part of an emergency escape route or accessible path.
Mesh and Australian Property Conditions
Flies, Mosquitoes and Small Insects
Insect protection depends on suitable mesh, perimeter fit and complete closure. Neither pleated nor roll-up construction automatically makes a screen better at excluding insects.
If midges or other very small insects are a concern at your property, ask for the mesh aperture and its intended screening use. Standard fly screen mesh should not be assumed to exclude every small pest.
Finer mesh may involve trade-offs in airflow and visibility. Review the mesh specification alongside the closing arrangement and any gaps around the frame or sill.
Coastal and Exposed Entrances
Conditions differ across Australia and between individual properties. A sheltered back entrance, a coastal doorway and an exposed rural opening can require different checks.
Ask about frame materials, finish suitability, fixing materials and maintenance requirements for the intended location. An aluminium frame alone does not establish the suitability of the entire system for salt exposure.
Confirm any wind-use limits. A fly screen is not storm protection, and a product available in Australia should not be assumed suitable for every Australian environment.
Airflow and Views
Any mesh across an opening can restrict airflow to some extent. The effect depends on mesh aperture, strand thickness, open area, cleanliness and the opening itself.
Retracting the screen clears the mesh from the opening, but it also removes the insect barrier. Mesh colour alone does not establish privacy, solar shading or cooling performance.
How to Measure for a Back Door Fly Screen
Use the selected product's measuring instructions rather than a standard door-size chart. The visible opening, mounting dimensions and final ordering dimensions may be different.
Record measurements in millimetres where required by the ordering form. Keep all readings rather than immediately selecting one measurement or applying an assumed allowance.
- Identify the proposed mounting position. Establish whether the screen sits within the opening or mounts to a surrounding face.
- Measure width and height at several points. Note variations across the opening.
- Check squareness and surfaces. Record uneven jambs, sill steps and other irregularities.
- Measure available clearance. Include housing or stack space, guides, handles and the main door's movement.
- Confirm operating orientation. State whether left and right are described from inside or outside.
- Verify the ordering dimensions. Apply only the allowances specified for the chosen product and mounting arrangement.
Review the Measure & Fit guide. If the mounting position is unclear, send photographs of the full opening, both sides, the top and the sill alongside your measurements.
Photographs help explain the layout but do not replace accurate measurements or an on-site assessment where needed.
Back Door Fly Screen Costs in Australia
There is no single useful price for every back door fly screen. Dimensions, mechanism, mesh, finish and fitting conditions affect the comparison.
When comparing quotes in AUD, check whether they include:
- The required screen dimensions and configuration.
- Selected mesh, frame colour and included components.
- Any minimum charge or made-to-measure pricing adjustment.
- GST and delivery charges.
- Installation, fixings and preparation of the opening.
- Warranty terms and replacement-part availability.
If a product uses area-based pricing, confirm how dimensions, minimum charges and options affect the final total. A displayed starting price should not be treated as the price for your doorway.
Check Delivery to Your Postcode
Use your suburb, postcode and state or territory when checking delivery arrangements. Confirm applicable freight charges and production and transit estimates before booking fitting.
Do not assume local stock, nationwide delivery on identical terms or a nearby installation team unless those arrangements have been confirmed for your order.
Arrange Installation Before Ordering
Establish who will handle fitting and whether installation is included in the quote. For a supply-only order, account separately for labour, suitable fixings and any preparation work.
If the opening is uneven, the mounting surface is uncertain or access requirements are important, obtain appropriate fitting advice before placing a made-to-measure order.
Cleaning and Maintaining a Back Door Fly Screen
Back entrances can collect dust, leaves and pet hair. Keep the mesh and movement path clean according to the instructions for the selected model.
Pleated and spring-loaded roll-up systems can have different care requirements. Do not assume the same adjustment or lubrication instructions apply to both.
Use only approved cleaning methods and lubricants. If the screen becomes difficult to move, inspect for visible obstructions and seek guidance rather than forcing it or dismantling the mechanism.
For coastal or exposed locations, confirm whether additional inspection or cleaning is recommended for the frame, guides and fixings.
A Back Door Fly Screen Buying Checklist
- The screen type suits daily traffic through the entrance.
- The main door, handles and closer clear the proposed screen.
- There is sufficient space for the housing, folded stack or swinging panel.
- The lower guide and sill arrangement suit your passage requirements.
- The mesh specification and perimeter closure meet your screening needs.
- Ordering dimensions, final AUD price, delivery and fitting are clear.
You do not need the same screen type at every entrance. Choose according to the opening and how you use it, rather than assuming one design is always better.
Considering a made-to-measure retractable or pleated screen? Contact our team with your measurements, photographs and postcode to clarify the proposed configuration and order arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fly screen for a back door in Australia?
The best option depends on daily access, mounting space and property conditions. Retractable and pleated screens move aside without a swinging panel. Hinged fly screen doors require swing clearance. Magnetic mesh curtains may suit temporary use where attachment and closure work reliably.
Is a pleated fly screen the same as a retractable screen?
A pleated screen is one type of retractable screen. Its mesh folds into a stack, while a roll-up system stores mesh in a housing. Check the individual system's dimensions, guides and operating requirements.
Can I fit a fly screen to an existing back door?
A suitable configuration may be possible where mounting surfaces, hardware clearance and sill conditions allow it. Inspect the door in both open and closed positions and follow the selected screen's measuring instructions.
Can a fly screen fit an outward-opening back door?
A suitable mounting arrangement may be available, but the main door's swing, projecting handles and any closer must be checked. Opening width and height alone do not confirm compatibility.
How much does a back door fly screen cost in Australia?
The total depends on dimensions, screen type, mesh, finish, delivery and installation. Compare equivalent specifications in AUD and check GST, freight and fitting inclusions rather than relying on a starting price.
Will a back door fly screen keep midges out?
That depends on mesh aperture and perimeter fit. Standard insect mesh should not be assumed to exclude every very small insect. Ask about the selected mesh's intended use before ordering.
Are retractable fly screens suitable for coastal homes?
Suitability depends on the complete system's materials, finish, fixings and care requirements. Confirm compatibility with salt exposure and any wind-use limits for the intended location rather than relying on the frame material alone.
Can a standard fly screen keep pets inside?
Standard insect screens are not pet containment barriers. Pet-resistant mesh may improve resistance to damage, but the frame, closure and complete system also matter. Use a purpose-designed barrier where containment is required.
What information should I provide before ordering?
Provide width and height readings, photographs of the opening and sill, the main door's opening direction, projecting hardware details and your postcode. Explain the proposed mounting position and how you use the entrance.