Welcome to Phantom Screens Lower Mainland
Coastal porch with white columns and retractable screens, featuring wicker furniture and ocean views across a manicured lawn

Track Vs Cable Guide: Putting Motorized To The Test

Published on July 21, 2025

Side-by-side comparison of Phantom Screens' cable guide system and motorized screen with track, labeled with text and branding

Finding the right shading solution for your home can feel overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a trusty guide to help you find the right solution for your space. Cable guide vs motorized screens with track. What’s the difference, and why does it matter for your space?

Cozy living room with motorized shades and stone fireplace

Cable Guide

Motorized screens with cable guide is great on the outside of your home on large picture windows, pergola spaces, and for large openings to help keep out the heat, sun, and peering eyes. They work great for spots that don’t have any support beams or columns where a traditional track could go while still retracting out of sight to maintain your home’s design and beautiful views.

Close-up of a patio seating area with a cushioned chair, dark throw blanket, and motorized screen casting shade on a tiled outdoor floor

Motorized Screens with Track

Phantom motorized screens with track are great for patio or pergola spaces that may need extra protection, not just against the sun but also against the bugs and critters. It has all the benefits that cable guide offers and more. Add a dual roller system to your motorized screens for double the options with luxury vinyl, or a thicker fabric. These screens help to expand your living space to create an inspiring indoor-outdoor space that’s great for hosting, entertaining, or just to relax and enjoy by yourself.

Here’s a trusty guide to help you find the best screen for your space.

Feature Cable Guide Track System
Guidance Self-tensioning stainless steel cables Side tracks that can be surface mounted or recessed.
Insect Protection Light to moderate High
Aesthetic Minimalist, unobtrusive and retractable Structured, more enclosed but retractable
Best for Windows, open patios, no structural supports Patios, pergolas, balconies, garages, and other slightly enclosed spaces
Structural Integration Flexible; no need for posts or tracks Requires framing or space for tracks
Benefits Solar protection, increase privacy, fresh air Bug and critter protection, solar protection, climate control, increase privacy, expand living space, fresh air

No matter what option you pick, your Phantom Screen will come custom made to order to fit your needs and professionally installed by your local Phantom expert. From consultation to installation, you’ll be screened and covered for every occasion.

More from Our Blogs

Two-story home with motorized retractable screens enclosing an elevated patio, surrounded by trees

Case Study: Indiana

Read More
Motorized patio screens on a covered porch overlooking a lake at sunset, with outdoor dining furniture and lush landscaping

Case Study: Hayward

Read More

Fresh Air In. Unwanted Guests Out.

Read More
A collage featuring elements of phantom living and southern living

Southern Living Idea House 2023: The Home That Has It All

Read More

4 Reasons why Phantom Screens make your pets lives better

Read More

Adding Phantom Screens to my Exterior Doors

Read More

Retractable Screens for the Lower Mainland

Located in Surrey, B.C., we’ve been providing innovative screening solutions for the Lower Mainland since 1992.

Whether allowing that cool breeze to pass on through, or to keep those pesky bugs out, we’re excited to offer a wide range of solutions from retractable doors,  windows, and large opening screen solutions.  All of our retractable products are custom fit and installed by our knowledgeable, professionally trained installers.

Our reputation has been built on providing quality products and dependable customer service all year round. No service call is too small.

If you have any questions or would like more details on any of our products our office can be reached at 604-371-2955 or contact us online.


Contact Us


Man opening a retractable screen door on a modern patio with large glass doors.
Category

Bigger and Better
Than Ever

With a single screen, cover large openings up to 15 feet wide and 12 feet high — whether a multi-panel, folding, stacking, or sliding glass door system, we gotcha covered.

Learn More

Areas We Serve

  • Abbotsford
  • Aldergrove
  • Ambleside
  • Anmore
  • Arbutus Ridge
  • Belcarra
  • Brackendale
  • Bridal Falls
  • British Properties
  • Burnaby
  • Chilliwack
  • Chinatown
  • Coquitlam
  • Cultas Lake
  • Deep Cove
  • Delta
  • District of North Vancouver
  • Dunbar-Southlands
  • Dundarave
  • Fort Langley
  • Glen Valley
  • Granview-Woodland
  • Harrison Mills
  • Hastings-Sunrise
  • Hope
  • Kerrisdale
  • Killarney
  • Kits
  • Langley
  • Lindell Beach
  • Lions Bay
  • Maple Ridge
  • Marpole
  • Mission
  • Mount Pleasant
  • New Westminster
  • North Vancouver
  • Oakridge
  • Pemberton
  • Pitt Meadows
  • Port Coquitlam (PoCo)
  • Port Moody
  • Renfrew-Collingwood
  • Richmond
  • Shaughnessy
  • South Cambie
  • South Surrey
  • South Vancouver
  • Squamish
  • Strathcona
  • Sunset
  • Surrey
  • Township of Langley
  • Tsawwassen
  • University Endowment Lands
  • Vancouver
  • Victoria-Fraserview
  • West End
  • West Point Grey
  • West Vancouver
  • Whistler
  • White Rock
  • Yaletown