Your patio should be your favorite outdoor living space—not a place you avoid because of bugs, heat, and glare. If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space with motorized retractable screens, choosing the right installation company is the most critical decision you’ll make.
The wrong choice can lead to poor installation, failed motors, and a company that disappears when you need service. The right choice delivers years of reliable performance, seamless operation, and a partner who stands behind their work.
At Shade Haven STL, we’ve installed motorized patio screens throughout O’Fallon, Lake Saint Louis, and Dardenne Prairie for over 15 years. We’ve seen both excellent and regrettable contractor selections, and we know what separates quality companies from the rest.
Whether you’re considering Shade Haven STL or exploring other options in St. Charles County, this guide will help you make an informed decision about choosing a motorized screen company for your outdoor living space.
Why Your Contractor Choice Matters for Motorized Screen Installation
Motorized retractable screens are a premium investment that becomes a permanent part of your home. The company you choose impacts everything from initial installation quality to long-term performance and service availability.
A Lake Saint Louis homeowner hired a general contractor who claimed he could “figure out” motorized screen installation. The screens were installed incorrectly, motors failed within months, and the contractor became unresponsive. She eventually paid a specialist to remove and reinstall everything—paying twice for the same project.
In contrast, a Dardenne Prairie family worked with a company specializing in motorized retractable patio screens. Their screens were precisely measured, expertly installed, and integrated seamlessly with their smart home system. Three years later, the screens still function flawlessly.
Here’s what’s at stake: your investment protection, long-term screen performance, ongoing support availability, home value impact, and your peace of mind. Quality motorized screens from companies like Phantom Screens, Fenetex motorized screens, or Sunesta retractable systems only perform as well as their installation.
Essential Qualifications Every Motorized Screen Company Should Have
Specialized Experience with Motorized Retractable Screens
General window treatment experience doesn’t equal motorized outdoor screen expertise. Motorized retractable screens face unique challenges—Missouri humidity, temperature extremes, wind exposure, and motor integration with outdoor-rated materials.
Ask specifically: “How many years have you worked with motorized patio screens?” and “How many motorized screen installations have you completed in St. Charles County?” Look for companies with at least 5-10 years of focused experience with motorized options for outdoor living spaces.
Companies specializing in screens for patios understand that outdoor screens require different expertise than indoor window treatments. They know how screens are designed to withstand weather, how motorized mechanisms perform in humidity, and how to ensure the screens provide reliable operation year after year.
Licensing, Insurance, and Business Credentials
Verify that any motorized screen contractor carries:
- Current general liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage)
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Proper business registration with Missouri Secretary of State
- Any applicable contractor licenses
Request certificates of insurance before hiring. If an uninsured installer is injured on your property, you could be held liable.
Quality Product Partnerships
The best motorized screen manufacturers include Phantom Screens, Fenetex screens, Sunpro motorized screens, MagnaTrack screens, Sunesta screens, and similar premium brands. Companies with established manufacturer partnerships have access to better products, technical support, and warranty backing.
Motorized screens offer different features depending on the brand. Phantom Screens are highly regarded for retractable screen systems. Fenetex motorized screens offer exceptional wind resistance—Fenetex screens are engineered to withstand wind speeds up to 130 mph, enabling Fenetex screens to withstand hurricane-force conditions. Sunpro screens are competitively priced within the premium category while maintaining quality. MagnaTrack screens are positioned as a high-performance option with zipper-track technology.
Universal screens and Progressive Screens also manufacture quality outdoor screens, while Sunpro Motorized Screens and the Titan Screen® motorized retractable screens offer automated operation for various outdoor applications.
Ask potential companies: “What motorized screen brands do you install?” and “Why did you choose these manufacturers?” Quality companies can explain their product selections and why certain screens are designed for specific applications.
Motor Quality and Smart Home Integration
The motor determines your screen’s reliability and convenience. Premium motors from manufacturers like Somfy or Lutron operate quietly, last 10-15 years, and integrate with smart home systems including Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.
Motorized SmartScreen offers automated operation with app-based controls, allowing you to deploy or retract the screen from anywhere. For homeowners investing in motorized screens for your outdoor space, smart integration transforms how you use your patio.
Ask about motor warranties (typically 5 years from manufacturers) and whether motorized screens can be integrated with your existing smart home setup.
Understanding Installation Quality for Outdoor Screens
In-House vs. Subcontracted Installation
Installation quality varies dramatically between companies. In-house installation teams are trained to company standards, directly accountable, and provide consistent quality. Subcontracted installation introduces variability—quality depends on which crew is available.
Ask directly: “Do you have your own installation team, or do you subcontract?” At Shade Haven STL, owner Brent Cunningham personally oversees every installation with our in-house team, ensuring consistent quality.
Precision Measurement and Custom Fitting
Motorized retractable patio screens must fit precisely to function correctly. Professional installation requires laser measurement tools for accuracy to 1/16 of an inch. Even small measurement errors result in gaps that let in insects, binding that strains motors, or aesthetic issues.
Companies should measure at multiple points since few openings are perfectly square. They should also assess mounting surfaces, wind exposure, and electrical access before finalizing designs.
Material Quality for Outdoor Conditions
St. Charles County’s climate is tough on outdoor installations. Screens are constructed with high-quality materials specifically rated for outdoor use—UV-resistant fabrics, corrosion-resistant hardware (stainless steel or powder-coated aluminum), and weatherproofed motor housings.
Retractable screens are a premium solution designed to last 10-15 years when properly installed with quality materials. Cheap components fail quickly in our humid summers and freezing winters.
Critical Questions to Ask Potential Motorized Screen Companies
Come prepared with specific questions that reveal expertise and business practices:
Experience Questions:
- “How many years have you specifically worked with motorized outdoor screens?”
- “How many motorized screen installations have you completed locally?”
- “Can you show me photos of completed projects similar to mine?”
Product Questions:
- “What motorized screen brands do you install, and why?”
- “Are all materials specifically rated for outdoor use?”
- “Can these motorized screens integrate with smart home systems?”
- “What motor brands do you use?”
Installation Questions:
- “Do you have in-house installation, or do you subcontract?”
- “What measurement tools and techniques do you use?”
- “What does your installation process look like from start to finish?”
Warranty Questions:
- “What labor warranty do you provide on installation?”
- “What are the manufacturer warranties on products?”
- “What happens if there’s an issue after installation?”
Service Questions:
- “What’s your typical response time for service calls?”
- “Are you based locally in St. Charles County?”
- “What maintenance do these screens require?”
Quality companies answer confidently with specific details. Vague answers or evasiveness are red flags.
Red Flags That Signal You Should Look Elsewhere
Certain warning signs indicate a company isn’t right for your motorized screen project:
Experience Red Flags:
- “We can install anything” claims from general contractors
- No local references or completed projects to show
- Inability to answer technical questions about screens
- No established manufacturer partnerships
Business Practice Red Flags:
- No proof of current insurance or licensing
- Pressure tactics (“This price is only good today”)
- Requests for full payment upfront
- Cash-only payment preferences
- No written contract or estimate
- Poor communication responsiveness during sales process
Quality Red Flags:
- Prices dramatically lower than competitors (often indicates inferior products or inexperienced installation)
- Reluctance to provide references
- No warranty on installation labor
- Only stock photos, no actual completed projects
- Subcontracted installation without clear quality accountability
If you encounter these red flags, keep looking. Your outdoor living space deserves better.
Comparing Business Models: Which Type of Company Is Best?
Local Specialists (Like Shade Haven STL)
Local, family-owned companies specializing in motorized retractable screens offer deep expertise, personal accountability, and long-term availability. When you work with Shade Haven STL, you work directly with owner Brent Cunningham, who has over 15 years specializing in motorized solutions for outdoor living spaces.
Advantages: Specialized expertise, owner involvement, local knowledge of St. Charles County homes and climate, relationship-focused service, flexibility for unique situations, and long-term availability for service.
Best for: Homeowners who value expertise, personal service, and long-term relationships.
Big-Box Retailers
Home improvement retailers offer convenience and familiar brand names but typically subcontract installation to various contractors. Quality varies depending on which subcontractor is assigned, and resolving issues often requires navigating corporate customer service systems.
Best for: Homeowners prioritizing convenience and bundling multiple projects through one retailer.
Franchise Operations
National franchises with local owners provide brand standards and corporate support, but quality depends heavily on the individual franchise owner’s expertise and commitment. Most focus primarily on interior treatments with exterior motorized screens as a secondary offering.
Best for: Homeowners wanting balance between local ownership and corporate standards.
For most homeowners investing in motorized screens for outdoor spaces, a local specialist offers the expertise, accountability, and personalized service that ensures excellent results.
How to Verify Credentials and Check References
Before hiring any motorized screen company:
Verify Business Credentials:
- Check Missouri Secretary of State business entity search
- Request current certificates of insurance
- Review Better Business Bureau profile and rating
- Read online reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp, and Houzz
Check References Effectively:
Request references for projects similar to yours and ask:
- “How was your overall experience?”
- “Have you needed any service or repairs?”
- “How responsive was the company if issues arose?”
- “Would you recommend this company to family or friends?”
Look for Patterns:
Multiple reviews mentioning the same strengths (or problems) reveal consistent patterns. Pay attention to how companies respond to negative reviews—defensive responses are red flags, while professional problem-solving demonstrates accountability.
Making Your Final Decision
After researching companies, create a comparison considering:
Expertise & Experience: Years with motorized outdoor screens specifically, local project experience, manufacturer training
Product Quality: Motor brands, outdoor-rated materials, smart home compatibility, warranty coverage
Installation Approach: In-house team, measurement precision, attention to detail
Business Credibility: Licensing, insurance, reputation, reference feedback
Communication & Service: Responsiveness, post-installation support commitment, your comfort level
Value: Price relative to quality, transparency, overall value proposition
Remember: the lowest price often indicates corners being cut. A $3,000 installation lasting 15 years with minimal issues costs less over time than a $2,000 installation requiring repairs and early replacement.
Ask yourself: Which company demonstrated the deepest expertise? Which made me most confident they’ll stand behind their work? Which provided the clearest, most transparent information? Which am I most comfortable calling if something goes wrong?
How Company Choice Affects Your Experience
Scenario: The Smart Home Integration
A homeowner wanted motorized patio screens integrated with their Alexa system. They chose a big-box retailer because of convenient financing. After installation, they discovered the screens weren’t actually compatible with their smart home—they required a separate remote. The store passed them between departments, and the subcontractor didn’t return calls.
Had they chosen a specialist in motorized options with smart home expertise, the screens would have been configured during installation with seamless voice control and automation routines.
Scenario: The Pergola Enclosure
A couple wanted to enclose their new pergola with motorized retractable screens on three sides. They hired the cheapest quote. Within months, motors failed, fabric sagged, and tracks bound. The company stopped returning calls.
With a quality company using premium products like Phantom Screens or Fenetex motorized screens, their outdoor living space would have functioned flawlessly for years with proper warranty support.
The difference is clear: specialized expertise, quality products, professional installation, and reliable support versus cutting corners and abandoning customers.
Transform Your St. Charles County Outdoor Living Space
Choosing the right motorized screen company determines whether your investment becomes a source of daily enjoyment or ongoing frustration. Look for specialized expertise in motorized retractable patio screens, quality products from reputable manufacturers, professional in-house installation, transparent communication, local accountability, and long-term support.
Why Choose Shade Haven STL
At Shade Haven STL, we’ve built our reputation on exceptional motorized screen installations throughout St. Charles County:
Owner-Operated Excellence: Work directly with owner Brent Cunningham, who personally oversees every project from consultation through installation.
Specialized Expertise: Over 15 years focused specifically on motorized exterior solutions—not general contracting or primarily interior treatments.
Premium Products: We partner with leading manufacturers and have developed proprietary outdoor-rated components designed for demanding conditions.
In-House Installation: Our trained team ensures consistent quality and precision—never subcontracted, always accountable.
Smart Home Integration: Expert integration with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and dedicated automation systems.
Local Commitment: As a family-owned O’Fallon business, we’re here for the long term. Your satisfaction directly affects our reputation in our community.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
During your complimentary in-home consultation, Brent will assess your outdoor space, discuss your goals, explain product options tailored to your needs, provide laser-precise measurements, answer all questions with transparent information, and provide a detailed written estimate with no pressure. Contact Shade Haven STL today at (636) 577-9974.
Let’s create the comfortable, bug-free outdoor oasis you’ve been dreaming of. When you choose the right motorized screen company, the results speak for themselves.