Motorized Retractable Screens in New London, CT
Retractable deck screens for New London homes: Shoreline Shade designs, builds and installs outdoor motorized screens that close in a deck, porch or patio against insects, glare and wind, then roll away when you want the open view.
Shoreline Shade installs motorized retractable deck screens in New London, CT. Each screen is custom-built for your opening, runs on a Somfy motor with a wireless remote, and can span up to 25 feet per unit. Choose insect mesh (blocks up to 90% of insects) or solar mesh (blocks up to 97% of UV), then roll the screen away to get your view back. Installation is usually one day, about 3 to 4 weeks from a signed quote, and the on-site estimate is free. See the product details.
What retractable deck screens do for a New London home
A retractable screen is a sheet of mesh that stores in a slim cassette and lowers on a motor when you want it. Closed, it turns an open deck or porch into a bug-free, shaded room. Retracted, the opening looks the way it did before. That is the appeal for anyone who likes their view of the water, the yard or the street and does not want a permanent wall of glass or lattice.
Most New London projects start with one of three complaints, and the right mesh and mounting follow from them:
- Mosquitoes and flying insects at dusk, which calls for insect mesh.
- Hot afternoon sun and glare on a south- or west-facing deck, which calls for solar mesh.
- Wind gusts and sight lines from the street or the neighbors, which points to wind or privacy mesh.
You can read the full specifications on our motorized screens page, or compare screens with the other products on our retractable screens overview.
Screens for a city at the mouth of the Thames
New London sits where the Thames River empties into Long Island Sound, and its neighborhoods include Downtown, Ocean Beach, Fort Trumbull and Pequot Colony. Homes that face the river or the Sound see more open sky and more breeze than a deck tucked behind a neighbor’s house, and that exposure is the biggest design question for any outdoor screen.
That is why we do not quote from a photo. On the free visit we check which way the opening faces, how the sun and wind reach it, what the screen will mount to, and whether an optional wind sensor makes sense. Our screens are rated for moderate wind, and the right habit in a storm is the same everywhere: retract the screen. For a quick refresher, read our guide on when to retract awnings and screens.
We are based in Clinton and travel to New London for estimates and installs. If you are weighing a second-floor porch or a balcony, we can look at that too, since screens mount recessed, on the surface or between posts.
Which mesh fits which deck problem?
Start with what bothers you most. Most openings need only one mesh.
| If your deck has this problem | Mesh to ask about | What the mesh does |
|---|---|---|
| Evening insects on the deck | Insect | Fine weave, high airflow and visibility, blocks up to 90% of insects |
| Afternoon sun and glare | Solar | Reduces heat and glare, blocks up to 97% of UV, moderate daytime privacy |
| Gusty, exposed opening | Wind | Heavier-duty mesh that reduces gusts |
| Neighbors or a street in view | Privacy | Denser weave, high privacy, moderate airflow |
Figures are the ones listed on our motorized screens page. Mesh performance varies by color and weave, so we bring samples to your home and hold them up to the actual opening.
What comes with a motorized screen
Every unit is custom-built to your opening.
Somfy motor and remote
Each screen runs on a Somfy motor with a wireless remote. A wall switch and smartphone control are optional extras.
Three ways to mount
Recessed (flush) into the structure, surface-mounted, or between posts and columns. We choose after we see the framing.
Optional wind sensor
A sensor can retract the screen automatically when wind becomes unsafe. Our sensor guide explains how they work.
From first call to finished screen
Every New London project starts with a visit, not a quote over the phone.
- Tell us about the spaceRequest an estimate or call (860) 510-3862. We talk through the deck, porch or patio and what you want it to do.
- Free on-site visitWe measure the opening, look at mounting and exposure, and show mesh samples at your home.
- Written quoteYou get a clear written quote. We will match a competitor’s written quote for the same brand, size and specs.
- Build and installYour screen is custom-built, about 3 to 4 weeks from a signed quote. The install itself is typically one day.
Permits, zoning and HOA rules in New London
Whether a screen needs a permit depends on the project and how it attaches to the house, so confirm before you order. Two City of New London offices are the right starting points: the Building Division, which is the city’s regulatory authority for the Connecticut Building Code, and the Planning, Zoning and Wetlands Division, which administers the zoning regulations and the coastal management program. The division states that administrative zoning permits and other land use applications are filed online.
If you live in a condominium or a homeowners association, you may also need board approval. Our permits and HOA guide lists what to ask.
What Connecticut homeowners say
4.9 stars on Google and 5.0 on Angi. Every quote below is from a real customer review.
Charles FendtAugust 2024 · Google review“Shoreline shade; my review of this company is more than professional, as I called for product that best suits the application of retractable shade, price of the product, delivery of product, (came in earlier than expected) and installation of the unit was a 5 star service! Questions I asked were answered and I was very confident in the installation of the product! Thank you Shore Line Shade for your services rendered, sincerely, CF”
Sandra CrookApril 2024 · Google review“After speaking to a representative from a national distributor, we contacted Shoreline Shade and felt much more comfortable about the whole process. Tom answered all our questions and never tried to pressure us into the add-ons. Communication was wonderful and the installation a breeze. We couldn't be happier with the company, employees, or product. Looking forward to Summer on our deck this year!”
Glen BrooksApril 2024 · Google review“Tom recently completed install of a new awning at our home in Mystic, I highly recommend him if you are considering an awning for your home. He made appropriate recommendations along the way, the installation was very clean. He exceeded our expectations, and the product is of high quality. Before you consider any other company, give Tom @ Shoreline Shade a call, you will be well taken care of.”
Frequently asked questions: New London retractable deck screens
Do you install retractable deck screens in New London, CT?
Yes. Shoreline Shade is based in Clinton and installs custom motorized retractable screens in New London and across Connecticut. We start with a free on-site visit, so we can measure the opening, show you mesh samples and give you a written quote.
What is the difference between insect, solar, privacy and wind mesh?
Insect mesh has a fine weave that keeps airflow and visibility high and blocks up to 90% of insects. Solar mesh cuts heat and glare and blocks up to 97% of UV while giving some daytime privacy. Privacy mesh is denser and blocks most views in from outside, with moderate airflow. Wind mesh is heavier-duty and is built to reduce gusts. Many decks use one mesh; at the estimate we help you choose by orientation and what bothers you most.
Can a motorized screen handle wind near the water?
Our motorized screens are rated for moderate wind, and an optional wind sensor retracts the screen automatically when wind becomes unsafe. In severe weather, retract the screen. If your deck faces open water or the Thames River, mention that at the estimate so we can talk through mesh choice and whether to add a sensor.
How wide can a New London deck screen be?
A single unit can be up to 25 feet wide. Wider openings can use several units side by side with minimal gaps. Mounting can be recessed (flush), surface-mounted or between posts or columns, depending on your structure.
How long does installation take?
The install itself is typically one day. The full process, from a signed quote through custom build to installation, takes about 3 to 4 weeks.
Do I need a permit for a screen in New London?
It depends on the project and how the screen attaches, so ask the city before you order. The City of New London Building Division is the regulatory authority for the Connecticut Building Code, and the Planning, Zoning and Wetlands Division administers the city zoning regulations. If you live in a condominium or HOA community, check its rules too. Our permits and HOA guide lists the questions to ask.
How are the screens powered and controlled?
Each screen has a Somfy motor and a wireless remote. The motor runs on standard 110V household current, with one low-voltage wire to the cassette. Wall switches and smartphone control are optional.
How much do retractable deck screens cost?
Every unit is custom-built, so the price depends on width, mesh, mounting and options. We give you a written quote after the free on-site visit, and we will match a competitor’s written quote for the same brand, size and specs. For the factors that move the price, read our screen cost guide.
Request your free New London estimate
Tell us about your project. We will schedule a free on-site visit in New London, take exact measurements and give you a written quote.
Loading the request form… If it does not appear, call (860) 510-3862.
Mon–Sat 8am–5pm. You will speak with Tom, the owner. shorelineshadellc@gmail.com
Same brand, same size, same specs? We will match a competitor’s written quote.
What happens next
- We call you to talk through the space
- Free on-site visit and exact measurements
- Fabric and frame samples at your home
- A clear written quote, no pressure