Publisher disclosure: ConsumerGuide.website is owned by FMY International Co Ltd and is independent of Buy Factory Direct. Magnetic Screens Company Australia states that it is a division of BuyFactory Direct Pty Ltd. The businesses do not share ownership. This product was selected for comparison with major Australian hardware retailers using the same published-evidence standard. Any affiliate commission, free sample, paid placement or other commercial relationship must be disclosed here before publication; none was established in this research. We did not conduct a controlled physical durability test.
The short answer
If a standard hardware-store size fits your doorway, the Cowdroy and Pillar curtains are the lowest-cost choices in this comparison. The Magnetic Screens Company Australia door screen costs more but offers a wider stated range, custom sizing, a 15×17 mesh specification and up to 40 sewn-in magnets. Some Trustpilot reviewers perceived its mesh and closure as better than cheaper or Bunnings alternatives, but those are individual customer reports—not laboratory results—and recent reviews also raise adhesive and durability concerns.
For renters, none of these products should be assumed to be completely damage-free. Hook-and-loop installation avoids drilling, but adhesive can still affect paint or leave residue. Obtain the property owner or manager’s approval if your lease requires it, and test the adhesive on an inconspicuous part of the actual frame finish.
What we compared
We compared one independently selected specialist product with magnetic fly-screen door curtains sold through major Australian hardware retailers. Products were assessed on:
- Published price and delivery basis.
- Door size and sizing flexibility.
- Mesh material or published mesh density.
- Published magnetic-closure construction.
- Installation and removal method.
- Rental suitability.
- Warranty and returns.
- Customer-reported strengths and failures.
We did not award numeric scores. The products are not identical sizes, and the available evidence does not support a fair laboratory-style durability ranking.
Comparison table
| Product | Published price | Size and choice | Mesh and closure | Returns and warranty | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Screens Company Australia Magnetic Screen Door | AUD 49.50–143, GST included | Multiple standard options, colours and custom-size request | Seller states upgraded 15×17 midge mesh and up to 40 magnets sewn into the fabric | Site states a standard consumer warranty without a duration. Return policy has substantial exclusions, including custom sizes and sale items | Buyers needing more size or colour choice who accept the policy limitations |
| Pillar 160 × 200 cm Magnetic Flyscreen Door Curtain — Bunnings | AUD 19.90 | Fixed 160 × 200 cm product; other Pillar sizes sold separately | UV-stable polyester mesh, flexible magnetic strip and hook-and-loop tape | Bunnings return rights apply; exact manufacturer warranty was not clearly stated on the retrieved product page | Low-cost wide standard opening when this exact size fits |
| Cowdroy 960 × 2180 mm Magnetic Flyscreen Door Curtain — Mitre 10/Home Hardware | AUD 12.70 shown in retailer category listings; store/postcode price must be confirmed | Fixed 960 × 2180 mm | Polyester curtain with automatic magnetic tabs | Mitre 10 says change-of-mind refunds are store-dependent; Australian Consumer Law remedies remain | Lowest displayed upfront price for a compatible standard doorway |
Prices may change. Bunnings, Mitre 10 and Home Hardware availability can depend on the selected store or delivery postcode. Delivery fees should be checked using the same destination before making a final price comparison.
1. Magnetic Screens Company Australia Magnetic Screen Door
What the website says
The specialist screen is listed from AUD 49.50 to AUD 143, including GST. The page offers standard-size selections and a custom-size route. It describes:
- Upgraded midge mesh with a stated 15×17 density.
- Up to 40 magnets sewn into the fabric.
- Hook-and-loop attachment, with 2 cm allowed at the top and on each side when measuring.
- Tool-free installation.
- Black and white choices shown on the page.
- Australia-wide delivery, currently stated as 5–7 days.
- Free delivery for orders above the threshold displayed on the product page.
“Up to 40” is a range-level claim. The page does not state the magnet count for every individual size, so buyers should not assume the smallest screen contains 40 magnets.
Why someone might pay more
The strongest documented reason is fit. Hardware-store curtains work only when a standard size suits the opening. The specialist product presents more standard options and a custom-size route, which may be useful for taller, wider or non-standard frames.
The published 15×17 mesh density and up-to-40 magnet specification provide more detail than the retrieved big-box product pages. Detail is not proof of superior longevity, but it gives buyers something concrete to compare.
What customers report
The company’s Trustpilot profile displayed a 4.1/5 TrustScore from 42 reviews when checked. Trustpilot also stated that the business had not invited customers recently and warned that the sample might not be representative.
Three individual reviewers made direct comparisons relevant to this article:
- One reported better construction and stronger magnets than cheaper shop versions.
- One said that after using five other brands, this product had better mesh and fewer gaps through the centre closure.
- One said the product appeared better in quality and magnetic strength than options they associated with Bunnings and then ordered a second screen.
These experiences support saying that some customers perceived a quality difference. They do not prove that every specialist screen will outperform every Bunnings, Mitre 10 or Home Hardware product.
The negative reports matter just as much. Recent reviewers reported a screen tearing after eight months, repeated adhesive failure and distortion, slow support, and surprise that an order was fulfilled from Thailand. Those reports make adhesive longevity, mesh durability, dispatch origin and support response important questions before purchase.
Returns and warranty limitations
The product page says purchases include a “standard consumer warranty,” but it does not state a fixed duration or define separate coverage for mesh, adhesive, magnets and stitching.
The separate return policy says products may be returned within 15 days, while also stating that:
- AUD 39 in packing and handling is non-refundable.
- The buyer pays return shipping.
- The product must be unopened and in its original packaging.
- Custom-sized screens are non-refundable.
- Sale and discount-code purchases cannot be refunded.
The magnetic door screen was marked “Sale” when checked. Buyers should therefore obtain written clarification before relying on a 15-day change-of-mind return.
Verdict
Best fit in this comparison for buyers needing more size or colour choice. Its higher price may be justified when a standard big-box curtain will not fit, but the warranty duration and sale-item return position should be clearer. Customer reports about adhesive failure and tearing prevent us from presenting superior durability as an established fact.
2. Pillar 160 × 200 cm Magnetic Flyscreen Door Curtain from Bunnings
What the website says
Bunnings listed this fixed-size Pillar curtain at AUD 19.90. Its published features include:
- 160 × 200 cm dimensions.
- UV-stable polyester mesh.
- A flexible magnetic strip that closes automatically.
- Hook-and-loop tape installation.
- Hands-free passage.
Bunnings sells other Pillar sizes separately, so buyers should compare the actual frame measurement with each individual listing rather than trimming or stretching a curtain that does not fit.
The page displayed 3.1/5 from 53 ratings when checked. We have not treated that rating as a test score because customer-rating context and long-term usage cannot be standardised against the other products.
Advantages
- Much lower entry price than the specialist range.
- A known national retail channel with store pickup and delivery options where available.
- Straightforward published material and installation information.
Limitations
- Fixed-size product rather than a made-to-measure solution.
- Delivery cost and availability require a postcode or selected store.
- The retrieved product page did not clearly state a manufacturer warranty duration.
- The page identifies polyester mesh but does not publish a comparable weave density or model-specific magnet count.
Verdict
Best low-cost choice for a wider standard opening when 160 × 200 cm is the correct fit. The price advantage is clear; a quality or durability disadvantage is not objectively established by the available specifications.
3. Cowdroy 960 × 2180 mm Magnetic Flyscreen Door Curtain from Mitre 10 or Home Hardware
What the websites say
Mitre 10 and Home Hardware list the same Cowdroy product rather than two different competitors. The identifiable product is:
- Cowdroy Magnetic Flyscreen Door Curtain.
- 960 × 2180 mm.
- SKU 6284277.
- Barcode 9312119143761.
- Product code ICMG2180096.
- Polyester construction with automatic magnetic tabs.
Retailer category pages displayed AUD 12.70 when checked. Mitre 10 cautions that stock, online pricing and delivery depend on the selected participating store or supplier partner.
Advantages
- Lowest displayed upfront price in the comparison.
- Taller than the specific Pillar product assessed here.
- Available through established hardware retail banners.
Limitations
- One fixed size.
- Store-level price and stock must be confirmed.
- Mitre 10 states that a participating store is not required to provide a change-of-mind refund, although Australian Consumer Law remedies still apply for product failures.
- No comparable mesh-density or exact magnet-count evidence was found on the retrieved listing.
Verdict
Best displayed upfront price when 960 × 2180 mm fits. Confirm the selected store’s price, stock, delivery and change-of-mind position before buying.
Which should you choose?
Choose the specialist screen if:
- Your doorway does not match a useful hardware-store size.
- You need a broader colour or size choice.
- You value the published 15×17 mesh and up-to-40-magnet specification.
- You are comfortable obtaining written clarification about returns and warranty before ordering.
Choose Bunnings’ Pillar curtain if:
- 160 × 200 cm fits the intended opening.
- Low upfront cost matters more than custom sizing.
- You prefer dealing through a national hardware retailer.
Choose the Cowdroy curtain if:
- 960 × 2180 mm fits.
- The selected Mitre 10 or Home Hardware store confirms the displayed price and stock.
- You understand that change-of-mind handling may depend on the store.
Rental-property checklist
Before installing any adhesive magnetic screen:
- Measure the actual usable frame, not just the door leaf.
- Check that there is enough flat, clean surface for the fixing strip.
- Ask the property manager or owner if adhesive fittings require approval.
- Test the adhesive on a hidden area of the same paint, varnish, aluminium or uPVC finish.
- Photograph the frame before installation.
- Keep the packaging, receipt and written product instructions.
- Do not use optional pins, screws or tacks in a rental without permission.
- Remove adhesive slowly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions; “no drilling” does not guarantee “no marks.”
Our conclusion
The hardware-store products win on visible upfront price. The specialist product wins on published choice and specification detail, particularly where a standard-size curtain will not fit. The available evidence does not prove a universal durability winner.
The most defensible buying decision is therefore based on fit:
- Buy the lower-cost Pillar or Cowdroy screen when its exact size suits your doorway and the local retailer confirms availability.
- Consider the Magnetic Screens Company Australia option when you need a broader size range or custom fit—but clarify the sale-item return position, warranty coverage and dispatch origin in writing first.
Sources
- Magnetic Screens Company Australia product page
- Magnetic Screens Company Australia return policy
- Trustpilot reviews for Magnetic Screens Company Australia
- Pillar 160 × 200 cm screen at Bunnings
- Cowdroy 960 × 2180 mm screen at Mitre 10
- Home Hardware window and fly-screen fittings
Change log
- 29 August 2026: First evidence-backed draft. No products physically tested. Prices, policies and availability must be rechecked immediately before publication.