MagnaTrack Motorized Screens
MagnaTrack Residential Screens
Insect, solar, and vinyl screens for patios, lanais, garages, and windows — on the self-correcting MagnaTrack system.
Specifications
| Max opening | 30 ft W × 20 ft H |
|---|---|
| UV blocked (solar mesh) | 70–97% |
| Heat reduction | 58%+ |
| Wind rating | 75 mph |
| Floor tolerance | Handles uneven floors up to 4 in |
Fabric & mesh options
Perfect for
The mechanism
How it works
MagnaTrack replaces the zipper or cable that other retractable screens rely on with dual opposing-polarity rare-earth magnets. The screen's edge carries a magnetic bead that is drawn into the track and held there along the entire height of the opening — not at discrete points.
That continuous magnetic hold is what makes the system self-correcting. If wind, a pet, or a stray patio chair pushes the screen out of the track, the magnets pull it straight back in as the screen travels. There is nothing to re-thread, re-zip, or re-tension.
The rest of the assembly is built to the same standard: an extruded aluminum housing and tracks, glass-filled nylon end caps, stainless fasteners, and the heaviest weight bar in the industry with retention locks. The system accommodates uneven floors with up to four inches of bias, which is why it retrofits onto existing patios so cleanly.
Why it's worth it
What this system gives you
Magnets reseat the screen automatically — the manufacturer credits this with eliminating 98% of expensive service calls.
One screen covers most patios, lanais, and garage bays without a center post.
Textilene solar mesh options cut glare and heat while keeping the view.
Shaded outdoor rooms stay usable through July and August afternoons.
Control4, Lutron, Crestron, Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings and more, programmed at install.
Limited lifetime aluminum, 15 years on screens, 5 on motors, 2 on remotes.
Ownership
Care & maintenance
Motorized screens need very little upkeep. Twice a year, rinse the mesh with a garden hose and wipe the bottom bar and tracks with mild soap and water — pollen in spring and leaf debris in fall are the two things worth clearing.
Keep the track channels free of grit. A quick pass with a soft brush or a vacuum crevice tool prevents the bottom bar from riding over debris. Never lubricate the tracks with grease; a dry silicone spray is all that is ever needed, and usually not even that.
If a screen ever behaves oddly — hesitating, reversing, or stopping short — call us before forcing it. Motor limits and obstacle detection are adjustable, and most service calls are a five-minute programming fix rather than a part.
Local fit
Built for Virginia, Maryland & DC
Our climate asks a lot of an outdoor screen: pollen-heavy springs, humid summers in the nineties, derecho winds, and freeze-thaw cycles from November through March. Powder-coated aluminum extrusions and stainless fasteners handle that swing without corroding or warping the way steel or untreated aluminum does.
We install across Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, and Washington, DC — roughly ninety miles around our Marshall, VA headquarters. That includes historic districts and HOA communities where color matching and low-profile hardware matter, which is why custom RAL frame finishes are worth asking about at your consultation.
Verified customers
What customers say about this
American Light Design was easy to work with when it came to ordering and designing our motorized deck screens. We appreciated that our sales representative, Michael, dialed into our HOA's Design Review Committee meeting to answer questions.…
— ARTHUR PADAMA · 2026-08-17
Very responsive, even more thorough. They did a retractable screen install and went out of their way to ensure it was done properly. High quality products, higher quality work. I will be using them again.
— Kevin Burger · 2026-08-04
Had two 6ft wide and one 12 foot screens installed on outdoor covered porch. Chose magna track after researching competing motorized retractable screens. Their design while most expensive seemed to be most robust and high quality. Give p…
— Barbara Juedes · 2026-08-01
Hello! We have to say first that the crew was spectacular! The crew installed professionally and cleaned up everything! Impeccable look and design on magnatrack screens. Operation seems flawless and made our patio a whole new room! Sun is o…
— Craig Smith · 2026-06-12
Seth, Max & Timo installed our 24 foot’ x 10’ screen today. They were polite, professional and very experienced. They cleaned the area afterward and showed us in detail how the motorized screen worked while answering all of our question…
— Anita B. · 2026-06-08
We had an excellent experience with American Light Design from start to finish. Nick did a fantastic job with the design process, helping us choose the right solution for our space and answering all of our questions along the way. The inst…
— Mariya Zholob · 2026-05-30
Knowledge base
Learn more about MagnaTrack Residential Screens
Motorized Screen Cost in Northern Virginia (2026): Typical Prices and the Best Systems
Typical installed costs for motorized retractable screens in 2026, what drives the price, and which system fits your patio. Your firm quote is free.
View more
Inside the Roller: Tubular Motors and What Somfy, Gaposa, and Dooya Each Bring
The motor in a motorized screen or awning lives inside the roller tube itself. What that means, and how the motor brands we install differ on safety features and speed.
View more
Your West-Facing Patio Doesn't Have to Be Unusable in July
Afternoon sun turns west-facing patios into ovens across the DC suburbs every summer. Solar mesh screens drop surface temperatures 15 to 25 degrees without giving up the view.
View more
The Smart-Home Integration Setup Guide for Motorized Screens
From a single remote to 32 screens on voice control — how MagnaTrack systems connect to Bond, Control4, Lutron, Alexa, and the rest, and how to set up scenes that actually get used.
View more
What happens if something bumps a MagnaTrack screen out of its track?
Nothing you need to fix — the patented magnets guide the screen back into place on its own.
View more
Preparing Your Patio for Motorized Screen Installation
What we measure, what your opening needs structurally and electrically, and what installation day looks like — including planning recessed tracks in new construction.
View more
The Outdoor Season Prep Checklist: Getting Your Patio Ready for Spring
A room-by-room spring startup for the outdoor space — surfaces, awning wake-up, screens, and the finishing layer underfoot.
View more
MagnaTrack or V-Track: Which Motorized Screen Is Right for Your Project?
We install both premium systems, so this comparison has no thumb on the scale — when the self-correcting magnetic track wins, when the keder giant-span system wins, and how we decide with you.
View more
Pollen Season Is Coming: How a Screened Patio Saves Spring in Fairfax and Loudoun
Northern Virginia's oak and pine pollen can bury a patio in yellow dust. Here is what motorized screens realistically do about it — and which mesh helps most.
View more
Which mesh should I choose for my MagnaTrack screens?
Insect, solar, or vinyl — a quick map of the MagnaTrack fabric range and what each is for.
View more
Solar Mesh Science: Openness Factors, UV, and Heat, Explained
What the numbers on a solar screen spec sheet actually mean — openness factor, UV blockage, glare, and the one-way visibility effect — so you can choose fabric with confidence.
View more
How large an opening can a MagnaTrack residential screen cover?
Single screens up to 30 feet wide and 20 feet tall — and what to do when an opening is bigger than that.
View more
When Is the Best Time to Install Motorized Screens in Northern Virginia?
Lead times, weather windows, and why ordering in late winter beats calling in May. A practical timeline for Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William homeowners.
View more
How to Choose Mesh Openness for Your Solar Screens
A three-step decision guide to openness factor — matching fabric tightness to your patio's orientation, your priorities, and the view you want to keep.
View more
How the MagnaTrack Self-Correcting Screen System Works
Inside the patented magnetic track that resets itself — why MagnaTrack screens have no zippers to tear, no cables to re-tension, and 98 percent fewer service calls.
View more
Can MagnaTrack screens handle an uneven patio floor?
Yes — up to four inches of variance. How the self-correcting system keeps a clean seal on settled and sloped patios.
View more
Maximize Your Outdoor Space: Solutions for Fall and Beyond
As summer gracefully transitions into fall, the shorter days and cooler temperatures bring new challenges for enjoying your outdoor spaces.
View more
Top 5 Reasons Businesses in D.C. Choose Motorized Screens for Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor spaces are a key component of many businesses in D. C. , from bustling cafes to upscale restaurants and event venues.
View more
What Dad’s Really Wanted This Christmas
Christmas morning is magical—kids are tearing into their gifts, the coffee is hot, and the house is buzzing with holiday cheer.
View more
Transform Your Space with Motorized Screens
At American Light Design, we believe that your outdoor space should be as comfortable and functional as the inside of your home.
View more
Transform Your Outdoors with Motorized Sun Screens
When it comes to enhancing your outdoor living spaces, American Light Design is your trusted partner.
View more
Transform Your Outdoors with Louver Pergolas
Imagine a space where comfort, style, and functionality come together seamlessly, creating an outdoor oasis that caters to every season.
View moreThe MagnaTrack Motorized Screens line
The world's only self-correcting motorized screen system
Patented magnetic self-tensioning tracks that reset themselves — no zippers to tear, no cables to re-tension, and 98% fewer service calls. Openings up to 30 ft wide and 20 ft tall, retrofit or recessed.
Recent motorized screen projects
292 completed motorized screen installations across 91 communities.