Express Sunrooms of the Carolinas installs motorized and manual retractable screens for patios and porches across Charlotte and Lake Norman. A retractable screen is a screen wall that rolls up into a slim housing above an opening and drops down on side tracks when you need it, so you get a bug-free porch at dusk and a wide-open view the rest of the day. We’ve built outdoor rooms in the Charlotte area since 1995, and every screen we install is measured and made for your opening.
Retractable Screens for Patios, Porches and Lanais
We install motorized and manual retractable screens on covered patios, porches, lanais and pergola or louvered roof openings anywhere in the Charlotte area. Each screen is made to measure, mounted in a slim housing at the top of the opening, and guided by side tracks that hold the mesh flat when it’s down.
You choose the mesh for the job: tight insect mesh for bug season, solar mesh that cuts sun and glare, or a heavier privacy mesh. Frames and housings come in colors to match your trim. Want shade without walls? Pair screens with a retractable awning or an adjustable patio cover
Why Charlotte Homeowners Add Retractable Screens
Retractable screens let you use a covered porch or patio through Charlotte’s long mosquito season without walling it in for good. The CDC lists screens on windows and doors as a basic way to keep mosquitoes outdoors, and a retractable screen applies the same idea to a whole porch opening, only it rolls out of sight when you want the open air back.
The Charlotte area gives you three reasons to want that flexibility: mosquitoes from spring well into fall, the yellow pine pollen that coats everything each spring, and low afternoon sun on west-facing patios. Solar mesh handles the last one, cutting glare and heat while you can still see out.
Key Points
- Bug-free when you want it: insect mesh rolls down on side tracks and seals the opening.
- Open view when you don't: the screen disappears into a slim housing, so nothing blocks the yard or the lake.
- Shade and privacy on demand: solar mesh cuts afternoon glare and heat and adds daytime privacy.
- Motorized or manual: a wall switch or remote for wide openings, a pull strap for doors and small spans.
Which screen setup fits your porch?
Retractable Screens vs. a Screened Porch vs. Porch Panels
Retractable screens roll out of sight when you don't need them, a screened porch keeps fixed screen walls up all year, and porch panels swap screens for clear vinyl when the weather turns cool. All three keep bugs out. The real difference is how much open view you want to keep and whether you plan to use the space in winter.
| Retractable screens | Screened porch | Porch panels | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Screen rolls down from a hidden housing on side tracks | Fixed screen walls built into the frame | Removable panels that swap between screen and vinyl |
| When not in use | Disappears for a fully open view | Screens always in place | Panels stay in or change by season |
| Sun and glare | Solar mesh option cuts glare and heat | Standard mesh, little shade | Depends on panel type |
| Cooler months | Spring through fall | Spring through fall | Stretches use into late fall and early spring |
| Best for | Covered patios and porches where you want the view back | A dedicated outdoor room used every day | Three-season use without a full sunroom |
Want fixed walls instead? See our screened porches or Express Porch Panels.
Motorized or Manual Retractable Screens: Which Should You Choose?
Choose motorized screens for wide patio openings, or when you have several openings you want to drop at once. Choose manual screens for doorways and smaller openings where a pull strap is easy to reach. Motorized systems need power at each housing, while manual systems only need a solid spot to mount.
Motorized screens run from a wall switch or a handheld remote, and many motors can tie into smart-home controls. If you're screening one back door, manual is simpler and costs less. If you're closing in a 20-foot lanai every evening, you'll be glad you went motorized.
Retractable Screens Around Lake Norman
Around Lake Norman, North Carolina's largest man-made lake, retractable screens solve a problem fixed screens can't. On a waterfront porch in Davidson or Mooresville, a screen wall puts mesh between you and the water all day. A retractable screen keeps the view open until the mosquitoes show up at dusk, then drops in seconds.
We install them on porches and patios from Cornelius, Huntersville and Troutman to Denver and Sherrills Ford on the west shore, and east into Concord, Harrisburg and Kannapolis.
How Much Do Retractable Screens Cost in Charlotte?
Retractable screen cost in Charlotte depends on how many openings you cover, how wide and tall each one is, motorized or manual operation, and the mesh you pick. Motorized systems cost more than manual ones, and a wide patio opening costs more than a doorway. You get a written price for each opening at a free on-site estimate.
Going motorized? Plan for power at each housing. In Mecklenburg County, any new outdoor outlet or circuit falls under electrical permitting and inspection, as Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement explains. We map out outlet locations during the estimate so the wiring is planned before anything is ordered.
See ranges in our pricing guide, get a ballpark from the cost calculator, or spread the cost with no-money-down financing.
Why Charlotte and Lake Norman Homeowners Choose Us
Express Sunrooms of the Carolinas is a family business working out of Pleasant Oaks Circle in northwest Charlotte. We build the porches, patio covers and pergolas these screens mount to, so we look at the whole structure, not just the opening.
Outdoor Rooms in Charlotte Since 1995
Three decades of Carolina porches and patios. We know how afternoon storms, pollen and lake breezes treat a screen.
Measured and Built for Your Opening
We measure every opening on site, check that the header and posts are square, and order each screen to fit. A screen that fits right runs right.
Power Planned From the Start
For motorized screens we plan the outlet or hardwired connection during the estimate, so there are no extension cords or surprises.
Help After the Install
We show you how the system works and how to care for the mesh and tracks, and we're a call away if a screen ever needs service.
Our Process
Our Retractable Screen Installation Process
We believe every project deserves careful attention from start to finish. Our process for installing retractable screens in Charlotte, NC is built on professionalism, efficiency, and communication.
Visit and Measure
We look at every opening, measure width and height, check the header and posts, and talk through how you use the space.
Choose Motor, Mesh and Color
Motorized or manual, insect or solar mesh, and a frame color to match your trim. You get a written estimate for each opening.
Installation
Housings mount at the top of each opening, tracks go on the sides, and motorized units get connected to power. We test every screen up and down.
Final Review
We show you the controls and care basics, and leave you with the warranty paperwork.
Our Work
Take a Look at Some of Our Work in Charlotte, NC
We’ve installed hundreds of custom screen systems throughout Charlotte and neighboring areas, including Huntersville, Matthews, Concord, and Gastonia. From backyard patios to large lanai enclosures, each project showcases precision, quality, and style.
Hear What Some of Our Clients in Charlotte, NC Have to Say
Our customers consistently praise our craftsmanship, professionalism, and reliability. Homeowners across North Carolina love how their new retractable screens completely changed the way they enjoy their homes.
Common Questions
Retractable Screen FAQs
Answers to what Charlotte and Lake Norman homeowners ask us most about retractable screens. Don't see yours? Call us at 704.713.7151 or send a message.
How much do retractable screens cost in Charlotte?
The price depends on the number of openings, their size, motorized or manual operation and the mesh. Motorized screens cost more than manual, and a wide patio opening costs more than a door. We give you a written price per opening at a free on-site estimate, or you can get a ballpark from our cost calculator.
Do retractable screens keep mosquitoes out?
Yes. With insect mesh rolled down, the side tracks hold the edges and a weighted bottom bar closes the gap at the floor, so mosquitoes can't slip around the screen. The CDC recommends screens as a basic way to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
Can retractable screens stay down in wind and rain?
They handle a breeze and light rain, and the side tracks keep the mesh from flapping. Screen mesh isn't waterproof, though, so roll the screens up before a strong thunderstorm. If a screen gets wet, leave it down until it dries so it doesn't get stored damp.
Should I get motorized or manual retractable screens?
Motorized is the better choice for wide patio and porch openings, or for several openings you want to drop together with one switch or remote. Manual works well for doorways and smaller openings. Motorized screens need power at each housing; manual screens don't.
Do I need an electrician or a permit for motorized screens?
Motorized screens need an outlet or a hardwired connection near each housing. If that means a new outdoor outlet or circuit, it falls under electrical permitting and inspection in Mecklenburg County. We plan outlet locations during the estimate so the wiring is sorted out before the screens arrive.
Can you add retractable screens to my existing porch or patio cover?
Usually, yes. We need a solid header or beam across the top to mount the housing and posts that are close to plumb for the side tracks. We check both at the estimate. If you don't have a cover yet, we can build a patio cover or pergola with the screens planned in from the start.
How do I take care of retractable screens?
Rinse the mesh with a garden hose and mild soap a few times a year, wipe out the side tracks, and keep leaves and pollen from building up at the bottom. Let the screen dry fully before rolling it up. Our annual maintenance packages can cover this for you.
704.713.7151
Common Question
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ready to enhance your home with retractable screens in Charlotte, NC? Let Express Sunrooms of the Carolinas design a solution that fits your lifestyle. From shade and privacy to comfort and energy savings, our screen systems deliver everything you need for effortless outdoor living.
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