Before you order: a wrong measurement is the most common reason a custom screen doesn't fit. This guide takes about three minutes. If anything looks unclear, send us a photo of your doorway — we'll check it for you before production.
Hook-and-loop tape width and mounting space
Our standard hook-and-loop tape is 4 cm (about 1.6 inches) wide. Allow 4 cm of flat frame space on each side where the tape attaches. Your ordered width and height must include the mounting space, rather than only the clear opening. If your measurements already include the frame space, do not add it again. We do not add extra frame allowance to the measurements you provide.
If you have a narrower frame or special requirements, we can also make your custom screen with 2–3 cm (about 0.8–1.2 inches) wide tape on request. Contact support@coverwith.com before production to confirm the tape width and required mounting space.
After payment, we will email you to check each item’s width, height, units, and mounting space. Please reply within 24 hours of the email being sent if anything needs correcting or you need help checking it. If we receive no request to change your measurements within that time, we will begin production using the dimensions you submitted. If you request a change or ask us to check anything, we will review it with you before production. Missing measurements or other unresolved order details must be resolved before production.
You're measuring the outside of the frame
Most people instinctively measure the door itself, or the opening between the trim. That's the wrong number for a magnetic screen. You want the outer edge of the door frame — the flat surface where the screen's adhesive tape mounts. That's almost always larger than the door panel, and larger than the opening.
Width: outside edge to outside edge
- Hold the tape measure horizontally across the top of the door frame.
- Anchor at the outer left edge of the frame.
- Pull straight across to the outer right edge.
- Write the number down in inches.
Take three measurements — top, middle, and bottom. Frames are rarely perfectly square. Use the largest number.
Height: outside top to floor (or threshold)
- Hold the tape vertically along one side of the frame.
- Anchor at the outer top edge of the frame.
- Pull straight down to the floor, or the threshold your screen will sit against.
- Write the number down in inches.
Take three measurements — left, center, and right. Use the largest number.
Outer frame ≠ door opening
| Term |
What it means |
Use it? |
| Door panel |
The actual door slab |
❌ No |
| Door opening |
The empty space the door fills |
❌ No |
| Outer frame |
The trim around the door, molding included |
✅ Yes — measure this
|
The screen mounts onto the outer frame so the panel hangs in front of the opening. Measure the opening only, and your screen comes out too small — gaps let bugs in.
Different doorways, different tricks
Patio / sliding doors
- Measure the full outer trim, covering both panels' worth of width.
- Your screen needs to cover the whole opening even when one panel stays put — so measure across the combined frame.
- If the patio door has decorative molding wider than the trim, measure to the outer edge of the molding.
French doors
- Measure as one continuous opening — outer left frame to outer right frame.
- Height: top frame to floor.
- Don't measure each door separately. The screen is a single panel covering both doors.
Garage openings
- Garage openings can run 8 ft to 16 ft or more wide. Confirm your number is in inches, not feet, before you enter it.
- Measure to the outer edge of the garage frame, not the rough opening.
- Mounting to a rolling-door track? Email us first — adhesive performance varies.
RV / camper doors
- RV frames are narrow. Measure to the very edge of the metal frame, not the rubber gasket.
- Check both the interior and exterior frame — some RV doors are stepped and only one side suits the screen.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Measuring the door panel. You'll get a number that's too small.
- ❌ Measuring the door opening. Same problem — too small.
- ❌ Only measuring once. Frames are rarely perfectly square.
- ❌ Using feet instead of inches. Our form is inches only.
- ❌ Forgetting the molding. If your trim has decorative outer molding, that's the edge you measure to.
- ❌ Rounding down. Use the largest of your three numbers and do not round down. If your screen turns out too narrow or too short, a custom fit extension panel may help after a fit check. An extension can correct width or height, but cannot correct both on the same screen.
Not sure? Send us a photo
We've measured plenty of doorways with customers over email. If yours is unusual — odd molding, a brick frame, a two-story patio, a recessed RV door — take a photo with your tape measure visible and email it to us before you order.
We'll confirm:
- The number you're about to enter is correct
- Whether the adhesive will hold on your frame material
- Whether you'll need the included pushpins
We do this for free, even if you don't end up ordering.
What if I measured incorrectly?
If your CoverWith screen is too narrow or too short, our Custom Fit Extension Panel may help you achieve a better fit without replacing the entire screen. It is a narrow mesh panel with hook-and-loop attachments and no magnetic opening.
A single-side extension for a confirmed total width shortfall of up to 10 cm (approximately 3.94 in) starts at $29.00. Height extensions, two-side width extensions, larger width shortfalls, and unusual doorways require a confirmed quote.
Contact us before purchasing. Send your original order number, a clear doorway photo showing the mounting surfaces, your existing screen width and height, and the required mounting width and height. Include the units for every measurement. We will check compatibility, attachment overlap, and whether one or two panels are suitable.
This accessory can extend either width or height, but cannot extend both on the same screen. If both dimensions are insufficient, contact support to discuss an alternative. It does not repair torn mesh, damaged magnets, or failed adhesive. Not every fit issue can be corrected with an extension.
Customer measurement errors may be resolved with a paid extension or a discretionary goodwill adjustment. If CoverWith made a production error, contact us first so we can resolve it under our existing quality policy.
Request a screen extension fit check
You've got your numbers
Head back to the product page, enter your width and height, pick your mesh color. After payment, check your measurement email and reply within 24 hours of it being sent if anything needs correcting. If we receive no request to change your measurements within that time, we will begin production using your submitted dimensions. Any changes, questions, or missing details will be reviewed with you before production. Back to Custom Magnetic Screen Door →
