Competitive Comparison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella retractable screen system retracts into an extruded aluminum housing (cassette). The engineering of this housing is designed to maximize the amount of screen material it can hold and provide the strength necessary for a long life. The strength of the housing is very rigid and resists distortion when used for large openings.

 

This insures maximum reliability and smoothness of operation. Extruded Aluminum guide tracks are used as fabric and pull-bar guides to insure maximum integrity of the screen material while in place and during the operation of the screen. These guide tracks are specially engineered to “LOCK” into the housing and end caps insuring a rigid, synchronized mechanism for smooth, snag-free operation.

 

OTHERS: A Roll-formed housing - The thin metal or plastic is molded or rolled into the desired shape. The quality and thickness of the metal that can be utilized in a "roll-form" process limits the strength and the life of the finished product.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella retractable screen door system uses a full-length magnetic catch reducing accidental retractions, maximizing insect protection and security for your small pets and young children. Bella screen window latches are designed for simple, one-handed release for easy retraction.

 

OTHERS: Magnets are only located at the top and the bottom or a single mechanical catch that does not provide a secure or insect-free closure. The fit is, therefore, not as tight and may not protect you from a small pet or young child causing an unintended retraction of the screen.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella retractable screen housing, tracks, pull bars and other exposed metal parts utilize a six-step powder-coat finish in 7 designer colors. Powder coating is a space- age, rock-hard finish that lasts much longer than baked-on enamel. Kits are available in 3 colors.

 

OTHERS: Baked-on paint finishes are inferior to our six-step powder-coat finish. Baked-on enamel may chip and fade over time.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella screen retraction system uses a heavy-duty, Stainless-Steel spring mechanism to insure smooth, positive retraction and maximum tension on the screen when in use. The Bella screen Stainless Steel spring mechanism is exclusive to our product and was designed specifically for use in our quality retractable screens. The latest innovation to the Bella screen system is a clutch system that allows for a smooth unhurried and quiet retraction.

 

OTHERS: The retractable screen must have a spring system that won't rust and can provide adequate tension to prevent the screen from billowing in windy conditions. Of course, if the latching mechanism is weak, the spring can’t be very strong or the screen will retract from a slight bump or even a gust of wind.

 

Others do not use the synergistic design approach that Bella Screens does. Therefore, their springs are weaker, their latches are not as secure and their screens will likely “bulge or blow out” under windy conditions.

 

 

 

BELLA: The heart of the Bella retractable screen system is the extruded aluminum center tube that is powered by our exclusive Stainless Steel spring mechanism. Our center tube was designed to work with our powerful spring without twisting or distorting when operating. This is essential to smooth extension and retraction of the screen fabric as it rolls on and off of the center tube during operation.

 

OTHERS: The roll tube of many of the competitors we reviewed were not adequate to the task of providing a rigid non-distorting surface for the fabric to roll on and off of during operation. A center tube that distorts when retracting will create wrinkles in the fabric and possible mechanism jambs with potential damage to the fabric.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella retractable screen is installed most often recessed into a door or window jamb. This is the most popular installation style as it is more concealed and simply blends into the opening. We do have occasional situations that call for a Bella screen to be installed outside of the opening on the surface of the wall around the opening. This is generally the case when there is not enough depth in the jamb to mount the screen into.

The Bella screen system can be installed on the exterior or interior of the house. The swing of the doors will determine which side of the door opening the screen system will be installed.

 

Examples... if your doors open outward, the Bella screen system will be installed recessed into the door jamb inside of the house. If your doors open inward, your screen system will be installed recessed inside the jamb on the exterior of the house. The same goes for a window. If your window swings into the house the Bella screen will actually be installed on the outside of the house either recessed into the opening or surface mounted on the wall around the opening.

 

OTHERS: Some manufacturers only offer surface mounting. This is very limiting as the most secure and easiest to install is the recessed mount.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella screen is available in large sizes up to 192” wide and 8’ high. They are ideal for a Gazebo, Lanai, Porch or Garage that needs to be protected from insects at certain times but not at other times. Extreme weather does not damage the Bella screen. Simply retract your Bella screen for those stormy days and your Bella screen will be there to serve you again when needed. Remember, the Bella screen has a Stainless-Steel Spring mechanism and all extruded aluminum housing and track profiles that will provide years of trouble-free service.

 

OTHERS: Most retractable screen systems are limited in the sizes they can provide due to structural limitations, i.e., the spring is too weak, the center tube distorts under use, they have no guide tracks or the pull bar bends when used. These are all causes for the screens to have limits to the size they can be made and expect to work. I have seen these lesser retractable screens sold at major hardware stores with no guide tracks leaving the screen material loose at the edges and subject to billowing in the wind. This type of screen system certainly won’t protect you from insects as they are free to simply make an end run around the screen material.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella retractable screen system uses deep guide tracks with double-plush weather stripping that hugs the screen as it rests securely in the guide track. This prevents the pesky insect critters from sneaking into your home. Plus these dual-plush, weather-stripped tracks provide the additional security of holding the screen in place even during windy conditions. This exceptional track weather stripping feature is one of the many features that make Bella retractable screens the best value.

 

OTHERS: Many retractable screen companies don't even have a track or any seal around the edge of the screen. Shame on them! The ones who have a track use shallow light aluminum with no weather stripping or a light weather stripping that doesn't adequately secure the screen.

 

 

 

BELLA: Bella retractable screens use a specially designed and extruded pull bar that has the rigidity and strength to provide distortion-free operation equal to the strength of our special Stainless-Steel Spring retraction system. The pull bar, the spring system, the housing, guide tracks and the special center tube were all engineered to synergistically work in concert insuring maximum satisfaction for our customers.

 

OTHERS: The pull bar is an important part of any screen system. If it bends and distorts while operating the screen, it will result in uneven retraction and potential damage to the fabric and the mechanism. The synergy of all of the parts is essential, and I find the pull bar to be a major weak spot for most of our competitors.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella screen system has a field-replaceable fabric system. We can send you a replacement to fit that you can exchange in the field. The screen, should it become damaged near the end, can simply be reversed trading the top for the bottom putting the damaged area rolled up on the center tube where the damage won't be seen or affect the usability of your screen. One of the major benefits of the Bella retractable system is the screen material is safely retracted into a sturdy housing and is only exposed when in actual use.

 

OTHERS: The replacement for most companies require an entire new housing as the screen can't be simply field replaced.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella retractable screen system has a one-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

 

OTHERS: Most offer only one 90 day warranty.

 

 

 

BELLA: The Bella retractable screen system has CAD drawings available for most products that are available to the design professional upon request.

 

OTHERS: The design details from most retractable screen suppliers is very limited to non-existent.

 

 

 

BELLA: Bella custom-cut retractable screens are available in 7 designer colors to fit any decor. Custom-color powder coating is available by special request at an extra cost. Our kits are available in 3 popular colors.

 

OTHERS: Most of our competitors offer only a few colors.