Sea Cool Resource
What Is MagnaTrack?
MagnaTrack is Progressive Screens' magnetic side-track system for motorized exterior screens. Rare-earth magnets keep the fabric tensioned while allowing controlled movement under pressure.
Installed screens
What MagnaTrack looks like in real outdoor spaces
A poolside pavilion, covered patio, or outdoor kitchen can use the same core MagnaTrack system in very different ways. Opening size, mesh, mounting conditions, and controls shape how the finished screen looks and operates.
Remote and smart-control options
Compatible controls can operate the motorized retractable screen from a handheld remote or connected smart-home setup.
Measured on site for installation
Sea Cool measures each opening on site to choose the screen, housing, side tracks, and mounting details for the actual space.
Exterior mesh options
Exterior screen mesh can be selected for UV and mildew resistance, visibility, airflow, and year-round outdoor use.
Powder-coated aluminum finish
Powder-coated aluminum housings and hardware options help the system look sharp in demanding exterior conditions.
MagnaTrack technology
What makes MagnaTrack different
MagnaTrack is more than screen fabric. Its magnetic track, retained keder edge, self-adjusting sidetracks, weight bar, roller, and housing are designed to work as one system.
The track system works as one unit
MagnaTrack combines opposing-pole neodymium magnets, a free-floating inner track, and a retained fabric edge. The magnets hold tension, the track allows controlled movement, and the fabric edge stays captured as the screen moves.
All-in-one track
MagnaTrack can be used for inside mount, face mount, or concealed recessed applications.
Smart motors
MagnaTrack is available with Gaposa or SIMU motors, with obstacle detection standard, remote-control operation, and integration options for smartphone apps, hubs, or home automation.
Large roller capability
MagnaTrack rollers support large openings, with listed roller sizes up to 30 feet wide and 20 feet tall using 4 inch, 5.5 inch, and 6.5 inch rollers.
Keder Interlock
MagnaTrack’s keder interlock is a continuous-edge, low-friction interlock that secures the screen to the inner track with no zippers. The screen edge rides in the retained path instead of relying on a zipper-style capture, and the anodized aluminum track helps support smooth deployment.
This is one of the core differences between MagnaTrack and typical zipper-based systems: the edge of the fabric is retained by the keder/interlock path while the magnetic inner track can still respond to movement in the opening.
Self-Adjusting Sidetracks
MagnaTrack uses opposite-pole neodymium magnets and allows the inner track to free-float inside the track housing. The path is designed to help with out-of-square openings, fabric contraction, and billowing in windy conditions. Progressive Screens states that the design addresses 98% or more of common service issues in competitive products or zipper systems.
Magnetic Connection
Progressive Screens states that each inner-track magnet has 75 lbs of pulling force per set, with an average total of 375 lbs of pulling pressure per track and 750 lbs per set. The manufacturer compares this with springs averaging 3–5 lbs of force and describes MagnaTrack as delivering more than 10X the pulling force of competing systems.
Heaviest Weight Bar
Progressive Screens describes the MagnaTrack weight bar as the heaviest in the industry. The bottom bar's weight matters because gravity is the main factor in deployment, while end-retention locks help keep the weight bar locked into the sidetrack housing.
Internal Housing Bracket
MagnaTrack housing incorporates aluminum brackets that can be configured for under-header or face-mount applications. This provides strong internal support for the roller system and is finished with color-matched glass-filled nylon end caps.
Adjustable Roller System
The adjustable “doughnut” roller system is another MagnaTrack innovation. The adjustable ends can level the weight bar at the housing for a cleaner appearance, while the Petal Expander supports smooth stacking and reduces edge wrinkles in the fabric.
Extruded Hood Design
MagnaTrack uses a stylish, durable extruded housing engineered to accommodate wide spans without deflection. The housing includes dual felt strips for bug protection and containment around the screen system.
Built for outdoor living
Retractable screens built tough for real outdoor living
MagnaTrack is a motorized exterior screen system from Progressive Screens. Its defining feature is a magnetic side-track that tensions the screen without relying only on a rigid fixed edge or zipper-style path.
The magnetic inner track can move under pressure and return to alignment. That can make MagnaTrack useful for large or demanding openings where a basic exterior shade system allows too little movement.
The video demonstrates how the track holds the screen and lets the fabric move. It is not a certified wind, projectile, impact-protection, or hurricane test. Performance depends on opening size, configuration, fabric, installation, and conditions.
Inside the magnetic sidetrack
How MagnaTrack's magnetic track works
Progressive's diagram shows the part most buyers never see: a zipper-free Keder interlock held inside an adjustable track insert by opposing-pole neodymium magnets. The fabric edge stays retained while the insert can move with pressure instead of acting like a rigid fixed guide.
In the normal aligned position, the magnetic insert holds toward the track housing while the retained fabric edge stays tensioned.
As the fabric deflects, the insert can move outward. When pressure eases, the opposing-pole magnets draw it back toward alignment.
Progressive Screens diagram of how the track works. This is not a wind or storm rating.
Sea cool screen installation
Maximize screen coverage for larger outdoor openings
Sea Cool installed MagnaTrack on a single inside-mount residential terrace opening with a 323 5/8 inch finished hood width and a 322 inch track-to-track measurement. The track system matters on an opening this wide with an inside mount.
Why it matters: On a wide inside-mount opening, the screen has to handle actual installation conditions, pressure changes, and daily use across its full width. MagnaTrack can make sense when a basic exterior shade system does not allow enough movement.
Comparison
MagnaTrack vs fixed-track and zipper-style screens
Fixed-track and zipper-style screens can work well in the right setting. The question is whether the screen has enough room to move in the opening.
Fixed-track screens
A fixed track can work well on smaller or protected openings. On wide or exposed openings, the rigid path gives the screen less room to react when wind pressure, heat, or field conditions move the fabric.
Zipper-style screens
Zipper-style systems keep the screen edge captured, but the zipper path can still carry a lot of stress when pressure pushes or pulls on the screen. On demanding openings, that stress can lead to wear, binding, or service calls.
MagnaTrack screens
MagnaTrack uses magnetic tensioning so the screen can move and then recover. That is why Sea Cool looks at it for large spans, inside-mount conditions, and openings where reliability matters more than the lowest-cost screen option.
System comparison
How MagnaTrack compares in real-world use
MagnaTrack's magnetic sidetrack lets the screen move under pressure and return toward alignment, which can help on larger openings. Sea Cool still checks the actual opening before recommending it.
These details come from Progressive Screens, but Sea Cool still needs to check the opening on site. Width, height, structure, mounting depth, power, exposure, fabric, and storm requirements determine which screen suits the project.
Check your opening
Need help deciding if MagnaTrack fits?
Send photos of the opening, rough width and height, and the main reason you want the screen. Sea Cool will tell you whether MagnaTrack belongs in the estimate or whether another exterior shade, screen, awning, or enclosure is a better fit.
Before choosing MagnaTrack, check the site conditions. The screen is strong, but it still must suit the opening.
Request a MagnaTrack consultation
Most consultations are scheduled within 24 hours.
What to consider
Is MagnaTrack right for your opening?
Choose a screen based on the opening, daily use, and installation conditions.
Opening and structure
Width, height, mounting surface, header conditions, side conditions, power access, obstructions, drainage, and installation access all affect whether MagnaTrack suits the opening.
Fabric and daily use
The same opening can need sun control, insect control, privacy, airflow, clear vinyl, or flexibility for changing weather. Choose the fabric for the way the space will be used.
Controls and daily use
Motors, remotes, switches, grouping, smart controls, and owner habits matter. A good MagnaTrack installation should be easy to live with after the installers leave.
MagnaTrack FAQ
Common questions before choosing MagnaTrack
What is MagnaTrack?
MagnaTrack is Progressive Screens' motorized exterior screen system with a patented magnetic side-track design. The magnetic track helps keep the screen tensioned and aligned while allowing controlled movement under pressure.
How does MagnaTrack work?
Progressive describes MagnaTrack as using opposing-polarity neodymium magnets inside the track housing and adjustable insert. The magnets help hold the screen in tension and pull it back into alignment after pressure changes.
What makes MagnaTrack different from zipper-style screens?
Zipper-style screens capture the screen edge in a zipper path. MagnaTrack uses magnetic tensioning, so the screen can move under pressure and then recover. That difference matters most on large or exposed openings.
How large can MagnaTrack screens be?
Progressive states that MagnaTrack residential and commercial screens can be fabricated up to 30 feet wide by 20 feet tall, with limitations. Sea Cool must check the opening before treating those sizes as realistic for the project.
Can MagnaTrack handle very large residential openings?
Yes, when the opening and structure support it. Sea Cool has installed MagnaTrack on a single inside-mount residential terrace opening with a 323 5/8 inch finished hood width and 322 inch track-to-track measurement.
Is MagnaTrack always a hurricane screen?
No. MagnaTrack is not automatically a hurricane screen. Progressive has a separate Defender Hurricane Screens product family, and hurricane screen recommendations require product-specific engineering, approvals, and installation review.
Is MagnaTrack worth it compared with a basic motorized screen?
It can be worth it when the opening is wide, exposed, heavily used, or likely to create service issues with a simpler screen system. On smaller protected openings, another exterior shade system may be a better fit.
How much does a MagnaTrack screen cost?
Cost depends on width, height, fabric, mounting type, power, controls, access, lift needs, and finish details. Sea Cool needs photos, rough measurements, and usually an on-site check before giving an estimate.
What weather conditions can MagnaTrack screens withstand?
Standard MagnaTrack is designed for wind abatement, not named-storm or impact protection. The ICC-ES TER-22-52902 evaluation lists the assessed solar-screen system at a 75 mph design wind speed and ±10 psf for the evaluated configuration, but Progressive's operating guidance still calls for retracting standard MagnaTrack above 40 mph sustained wind and before named storms. Opening size, exposure, mounting, fabric, and installation all affect the practical limit. Defender is Progressive's separate storm-focused screen system.
Related resources
Compare your exterior screen options
Compare screen types, the kind of opening, and installation conditions before choosing by brand alone.
Compare the category
Exterior Shades
Compare screens, awnings, and specialty shades for one opening.
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Plan the opening
Outdoor Shades
See product options, applications, and planning factors for outdoor spaces.
See the outdoor shade guide ›
Separate storm system
Defender Hurricane Screens
Review the separate storm-rated screen system and its requirements.
Understand Defender ›
Keep researching
Exterior Screen Resources
Continue with exterior-screen and shade planning guides.
Browse the guides ›
Plan the opening, not just the product
See whether MagnaTrack fits your patio or terrace
Send the opening width, height, photos, and how you want to use the space. Sea Cool will help distinguish MagnaTrack from other exterior shades and separate hurricane screen systems.
Request a MagnaTrack consultation