Frequently Asked Questions

 

Security Doors

Q: What size steel do you use?

A: All our doors are made from 1”x2” 16 guage steel.

Q: Will my steel security door rust?

Every door we sell is powder coated with a Zinc primer, baked, then powder coated with the color and baked again. This ensures the utmost in rust prevention, and durability. Our doors have been rated to withstand over 1500 hours of salt spray. Can any other companies say that?

Q: How does my steel security  door keep the bugs out?

We use a wool pile weather stripping on 3 sides of the door. Unlike peel & stick foam, wool pile doesn’t wear out. It can be replaced if needed. We use 2 rubber sweeps on the bottom of the door to keep bugs from crawling underneath.

Q: Will my deadbolt be keyed on both sides?

Prestige Security Doors offers both double keyed cylinders and single keyed (thumb turn) cylinders. Call and we can explain the difference.

Q: Do you use metal screen on your security doors?

We use fiberglass bug screen standard on most of our doors. We don’t offer perforated metal . What we use instead is Woven Stainless Steel Screen. This screen offers better vision, and airflow, and insect control than perforated metal.

Q: Why don’t you weld you hinges to the door?

Welded hinges sound great, but, if and when a hinge fails, you have to be able to replace it. If a hinge is welded on it would have to be cut off, a new one welded on, and the entire door would have to be powder coated again. Our hinges are screwed on. They can be easily replaced if needed.  We use vault pins to secure the door if someone does remove the hinges to remove the door.  Ask for a demonstration.

Q: Can the wrought iron designs be customized?

Yes, we can make modifications to existing designs, or craft a door to your exact specifications.

Q: Can you accommodate non-standard door sizes?

Yes, all our doors are custom made. This allows us to make our doors fit any size opening.

Q: How easy is it to change from glass to screen?

Interchanging is easily done with our barrel clips. Changing from screen to glass provides you with a weather-tight seal.

Q: Who does the installation?

Prestige Security Doors installs all of the products we sell.

Q: Can I install the door myself?

This is not recommended - our professional installers will make sure the door is secure. We cannot warranty doors installed by customers.

Q: Can a door be installed on a stucco home?

Yes, this is usually not a problem. We have many unique ways to mount a door on a stucco home.

Q: Can I get a door with self-storing glass?

Yes, we have a line of glass screen combo self-storing doors.

Q: Can your door be the "only" door as opposed to being the outer door?

Our doors work best in conjunction with an inside door, using them "stand-alone" is not recommended.

 

Retractable Screens

Q: What sets Stoett screens apart from the competition?

A: Individually crafted and expertly installed to fit your unique home and lifestyle, each Stoett retractable screen system offers unlimited design, color, and remote operation features that you personally select to fit your individual taste, budget, and home automation specifications. Stoett screens offer lifetime utility and exquisite styling to enhance windows, doors, and architectural openings. Most automated screen companies offer exterior and interior shade and sun control, but Stoett takes it a step further by also protecting your living spaces from insects. When not in use, our screens self-protect from the elements; gliding away smoothly into a specially-designed casing.

Q: Can I install the screen system myself?

A: Each installation is as unique as the doors and architectural openings in and around your home. Only a professional installation by a trained and certified installers can ensure the exact level of quality our customers deserve. No Do-It-Yourself kit offers a perfect, custom fit. You will take pride in, and enjoy the impressive look and hassle-free results of our expert installation.

Q: How long will it take to install?

A: Expect the process to be quick and convenient! Each project varies, but you can expect the work of our certified, professional installers to take only 1 to 2 hours per opening.

Q: What’s included in the warranty?

A: Our warranty covers all working and moving parts on the retractable screen from defects in material and workmanship, applying only to the original purchaser. It does not cover the screen material itself, or from damage due to misuse, abuse, or acts of God beyond the control of Stoett Industries, Inc. or our representatives. See our complete written warranty for all details.

Q: What sizes of openings will the screens cover?

A: The StowAway™ retractable screen system is designed to cover any opening up to 9 feet in height and 4 feet wide (for a single entry unit). French doors are covered with two units, one unit on the left and one unit installed on the right jamb that retract and meet in the middle.

Panorama™ retractable screens can cover large openings up to 11 feet in height and 20 feet wide.

Also designed for large openings, PanoramaLite™ retractable screens can fit openings up to 9 feet high and 11 feet wide.

SportScreen™ retractable screens will work in RV openings up to 115 inches high and 102 inches wide.

Q: How do I care for my Stoett screens?

A: Very simply! A key benefit to our customized screen designs is their ability to self-protect from the elements. The tracks that run along the top and bottom do need to remain reasonably clear of dirt and debris to operate at peak performance. Occasional lubrication of the tracks with a silicone-based lubricant is recommended, and oil based lubricants are discouraged as they attract dirt.

 

Sun Screens

Q: How does exterior shading work?

A: Exterior Sun Control Screens absorb and dissipate a large percentage of solar heat and glare before it reaches windows and doors; this keeps the glass and interior cool.

Q: Are Sun Control Screens easy to clean?

A: Yes, they only need an occasional cleaning with mild soap and water. They are also mildew and fade resistant.

Q: Do Sun Control Screens come with a warranty?

A: Yes, Phifer offers a warranty on Exterior Sun Control Products.

Q: Do Sun Control Screens block airflow?

A: Exterior sun control products still allow good airflow.

Q: How are Sun Control Screens at insect protection?

A: These products protect against insects and can replace regular insect screening on windows, doors and porches.

Q: Does Sun Control Screening look like standard insect screening?

A: Sun Control Screening is available in a wider range of colors than regular insect screening. From the outside, sun control screening offers a uniform look to windows and doors, providing a more aesthetically pleasing overall look to home and building exteriors than regular insect screening. Outward visibility remains good through exterior sun control.

Q: Do Sun Control Screens provide privacy?

A: Visibility through Sun Control Screens depends on light location. Lighted interiors allow inward visibility at night, while sunlight during the daytime diminishes inward visibility, offering more privacy.

Q: Will Sun Control Screens affect houseplants?

A: No. Most houseplants require filtered light. Shading reduces yellowing and water loss. In most cases, plants do better with shading than without but will require some amounts of direct sunlight.

Q: Can Sun Control Screens be installed over different shapes of windows:

A: Yes. All shapes and sizes of windows can be shaded with sun control products including rakes, octagons, circles, etc.

Q: What should be the payback period from utility savings after installing Sun Control Screens?

A: Many Sun Control Screen payback period estimates fall between two and three cooling seasons. A University of Texas study predicts a 32% savings for an average home.

Q: How do Sun Control Screens compare to glass tinting?

A: Glass tinting filters the light along with the UV rays. Sun Control Screens reduce the volume of light without filtering. As the glass filters sunlight through the tint, it will maintain heat, which dissipates into the house, making sun control screens more effective than glass tinting for energy savings.

Q: If I have reflective light-colored drapes or blinds, are Sun Control Screens still beneficial?

A: Yes, along with the heat that is absorbed by the drapes/blinds, they are also subject to UV damage. The combination of light-colored interior shades and dark exterior screens will provide optimum results.

Q: Should Sun Control Screens be removed in the winter?

A: To protect carpets, drapes and furniture from damaging UV rays, the Sun Control Screens should remain in place even during cooler months. They also provide approximately 15% increase in the thermal performance of the window.

Q: Can Sun Control Screens be removed to clean the windows?

A: Yes, Sun Control Screens are removable just like insect screening for ease in washing screens and window glass.

Q: How much will Sun Control Screens darken the interior?

A: While UV blockage is 65% to 90%, actual visibility is diminished by only 15% to 40% depending on the screening fabric selected. Light through the Sun Control Screen is not tinted, but it is reduced in volume, allowing good light with reduced glare.

Q: What color Sun Control Screen is more effective for heat reduction?

A: Dark colors are more effective than light colors on exterior screens.

Q: How much ultraviolet light do Sun Control Screens block?

A: UV blockage depends on the fabric’s weave and openness. In general, the UV blockage percentage will be the reciprocal of the openness factor.