Quick answer: For a balcony door in a Dubai apartment, a retractable pleated fly screen fitted inside the door frame is usually the best choice. It folds away when you do not need it, handles wind better than a loose net, and does not change the outside of the building. Where the threshold is uneven or you want a completely clear floor, a top-hung hinged screen with no floor track is the alternative.
Evenings are the best time to open a balcony door in Dubai. The heat has eased, there is often a breeze, and it is also exactly when mosquitoes are most active. A fly screen on the balcony door lets you have the air without the bites.
Balcony doors in apartments are not like garden doors in villas, though. They face wind, dust and building rules that ground-floor doors never deal with. This guide covers what works in high-rise and mid-rise apartments, based on the balcony doors we screen every week in places like Downtown Dubai, Business Bay and JVC.
What makes a balcony door different
- Wind. Higher floors get stronger gusts. A screen has to stay in its track and not flap.
- Sliding doors. Most apartment balconies use sliding glass doors, so the screen must sit alongside the glass without blocking it.
- Thresholds. Many balcony doors have a raised or stepped sill, which affects what kind of bottom track will work.
- Building rules. Owners associations often restrict changes to the outside of the building. A screen fitted inside the frame avoids that problem.
- Dust. Fine sand settles on balcony screens quickly, so they need to be easy to clean.
The best fly screen types for balcony doors
| Balcony door | Screen we recommend | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sliding balcony door | Single pleated screen | Slides across in one movement and folds into a slim side profile |
| Wide or two-panel sliding door | Double pleated screen | Two panels meet in the middle, so neither has to travel too far |
| Raised or uneven threshold | Hinged fly screen | Runs from a top rail with no floor track to trip over |
| Older sliding system with a spare track | Sliding net door | Uses the existing track alongside the glass |
Wind on high floors
A loose net or magnetic curtain on a 20th-floor balcony door will billow, pop its magnets and let insects in around the edges. A pleated screen runs in top and bottom guides, so the mesh is held along its full height. If your balcony catches strong wind, keep the screen closed or fully retracted rather than half open, and close the glass door during sandstorms. The screen keeps insects out; it is not designed to hold back a storm.
Will the screen get in the way of the sliding glass?
No. The screen is fitted in the door opening, on the room side of the sliding panel or in the fixed side of the frame, depending on your door. You slide the glass open as normal, then pull the screen across. When you want the full opening clear, the screen folds into a narrow stack at the side.
Kids, pets and balcony screens
A fly screen keeps insects out. It is not a safety barrier, and it will not stop a child or a pet from falling. Keep balcony doors locked or fitted with a child lock when children are around, whatever screen you have. If you have a cat or dog that paws at doors, ask for pet-proof mesh on the balcony screen.
Keeping a balcony screen clean
Balcony screens collect fine dust faster than any other screen in the home. To keep them running smoothly:
- Every few weeks, brush the mesh gently with a soft brush or vacuum it with a brush attachment.
- Wipe the top and bottom guides with a damp cloth so sand does not build up.
- Wash the mesh with mild soapy water now and then, and let it dry before folding it.
- Never use a pressure washer or strong solvents.
If the mesh gets torn, our guide to repairing a torn fly screen walks you through the fix.
Do I need permission from my building?
Because a pleated screen fits inside the existing door frame, it does not change how the building looks from outside. Many tenants and owners simply fit one. If your building management asks for details, we can provide the product specification. Tenants should still let their landlord know, as with any fixture.
Balcony door fly screen prices
Single pleated door screens start at AED 800 and double door screens at AED 950. Hinged screens are priced after measurement. See the full price list or our main fly screen for doors page for every door type.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best fly screen for a sliding balcony door?
A retractable pleated screen fitted in the door frame. It slides across in one movement and folds away when not in use. For uneven thresholds, a hinged screen with no floor track is better.
Can a fly screen be fitted on a high-floor balcony?
Yes. Pleated screens are held in top and bottom guides, so they cope with wind far better than nets or magnetic curtains.
Will the screen block my view?
Very little, especially with black mesh, and it folds away completely when you want the opening clear.
Can I take it with me when I move?
It is screwed into the frame, so it can be removed, but it is made to fit that door. It may not suit a door of a different size.
Ready to open your balcony door in the evening? We measure for free and recommend the right screen for your door and floor.