MagnaTrack screens are motorized, retractable outdoor screen systems that deploy at the push of a button to protect patios, porches, and outdoor living spaces from insects, sun, wind, and rain — then retract completely out of sight when not needed. Unlike fixed screen enclosures or zipper-track motorized screens, MagnaTrack uses a patented magnetic self-tensioning system that handles wind without failing, eliminating 98% of the service issues common with competing systems. LUME is an authorized MagnaTrack dealer serving Austin and the surrounding metro.
The Problem MagnaTrack Solves
Most Austin homeowners with covered outdoor spaces face the same problem: the space is beautiful and usable about six months of the year. From April through October, insects make evenings miserable. From June through September, afternoon sun makes afternoons miserable. And from spring through fall, afternoon storms can arrive in under 20 minutes.
The traditional solutions each solve one problem and create others. A screen enclosure protects from insects but permanently encloses the space. A motorized shade handles sun but not insects. A ceiling fan moves air but doesn’t stop mosquitoes. MagnaTrack addresses all of it in a single system that disappears when you don’t need it. Screens down in the evening for bug-free outdoor dining. Screens down during a storm to keep furniture dry. Screens up in the morning for full open-air coffee. One button.
How MagnaTrack Actually Works
The system has four main components: the housing cassette mounted above the opening, the side tracks running down each side, the screen fabric, and the motor. When deployed, the screen unrolls from the housing cassette and the fabric edges lock into the side tracks via rare-earth neodymium magnets — the strongest permanent magnets available. The magnetic tension holds the screen flat and sealed.
Under wind pressure, the magnetic connection flexes rather than failing. The screen edge can separate from the track momentarily as wind pushes it, then re-tension when the wind subsides. This is the fundamental difference from zipper-track systems, where the zipper bead separates permanently under wind load and requires a service call to re-wrap. When retracted, the screen rolls back into the housing cassette — a clean aluminum profile that most homeowners find nearly invisible against the structure.
What MagnaTrack Protects Against
Insects
The most common use case in Austin. The magnetic seal along the track edges prevents insects from entering around the screen perimeter — the failure point on non-magnetic systems. Insect screen fabric has high airflow and near-invisible visibility, so the space feels open even with screens deployed.
Sun and Heat
Solar mesh fabrics in 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% openness options reduce solar heat gain while preserving outward views. A 3% solar mesh blocks roughly 97% of UV radiation — making afternoon use meaningfully more comfortable without eliminating natural light.
Wind and Rain
Vinyl fabric options provide full weather protection — wind-driven rain, dust, and cold. Many Austin homeowners deploy vinyl screens on weather-facing openings and insect screens on protected sides, creating a hybrid system that handles the full range of conditions.
Privacy
Higher-opacity solar mesh and vinyl fabrics provide on-demand privacy — particularly relevant for pool areas, outdoor dining spaces, and properties in Tarrytown, Steiner Ranch, and Circle C Ranch where lots are closer together.
Where MagnaTrack Gets Installed
- Azenco pergolas — R-Blade and R-Breeze systems have structural channels specifically designed for MagnaTrack integration. The housing conceals within the pergola profile. This is the cleanest installation with no visible hardware.
- Existing covered patios — attached patio covers, detached pavilions, covered porches. Surface mount installation to existing framing. Most retrofit projects complete in one day.
- Outdoor kitchens — screening the cooking and dining area independently from the broader patio. See how MagnaTrack integrates with outdoor kitchen and pool pergola setups.
- Pool areas — screening the poolside seating or cabana area for insect protection and privacy.
- Restaurant patios and HOA amenity areas — commercial installations that extend the usable season.
MagnaTrack vs. The Alternatives
| MagnaTrack | Fixed Screen Enclosure | Zipper-Track Motorized Screen | Retractable Awning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insect protection | ✅ Full seal | ✅ Full seal | ⚠️ Gaps under wind | ❌ None |
| Retracts when not needed | ✅ | ❌ Permanent | ✅ | ✅ |
| Wind performance | ✅ Self-correcting | ✅ Fixed | ⚠️ Blows out | ⚠️ Must retract |
| Rain protection | ✅ With vinyl fabric | ✅ | ⚠️ Partial | ⚠️ Partial |
| Preserves open feel | ✅ When retracted | ❌ Always enclosed | ✅ When retracted | ✅ When retracted |
| Service calls | ✅ 98% eliminated | ✅ Minimal | ⚠️ Frequent | ⚠️ Occasional |
| Smart home integration | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ Some models | ⚠️ Some models |
Why Austin Homeowners Choose MagnaTrack Over Zipper Systems
Austin’s afternoon storm pattern is the decisive factor. Most days from April through October, conditions can shift from clear sky to full storm in under 20 minutes. Zipper-track screens need to be retracted before the wind arrives — if you’re not home or not paying attention, they blow out. MagnaTrack stays deployed through the storm and re-tensions when it passes.
For MagnaTrack pricing in Austin, see How Much Do MagnaTrack Screens Cost in Austin TX? For the complete outdoor room configuration that combines MagnaTrack with a motorized louvered pergola, see Louvered Pergola with Screens: How to Build a Complete Outdoor Room.
LUME installs MagnaTrack across Austin, Westlake Hills, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Dripping Springs, Tarrytown, Barton Creek, Steiner Ranch, and the surrounding metro.
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