Thank you for Subscribing to Construction Business Review Weekly Brief
Jim Basta, Co-Owner and COO; Kelley Basta, Co-Owner and President But what happens when one screen needs to do several things at once?
A homeowner or builder may want protection from insects or afternoon sun without sacrificing the view when the screen retracts. The opening may be unusually wide, or the architecture may complicate installation. The goal is no longer choosing a product but designing around the space, its structure and how people want to use it.
That is the space St. Louis Screens has built its business around. Rather than starting with a pre-packaged screen and figuring out how to make it fit, the team starts with the homeowner, builder or venue: What does this space need to do? From there, it works backward, designing the screen around the opening, the view and the experience the customer wants to preserve.
Much of that custom thinking comes from the complementary backgrounds of Jim and Kelley Basta. Jim’s 25 years of remodeling experience help him anticipate framing, electrical requirements, sight lines and finished surfaces before they become problems. When builders bring the company in early, those details can be resolved with other trades before construction advances. Kelley brings 25 years of customer service leadership, applying the same attention to communication, responsiveness and follow-through.
Together, they make a simple product more specific to the customer; a screen designed around how the space needs to live.
“When a homeowner or builder has a vision but isn’t sure how to make it work, that’s where we come in,” says Jim, COO. “We look at the space, work through the details and find a solution that makes sense.”
Performance without Visual Compromise
St. Louis Screens selects systems Jim and Kelley would install in their own home. Fixed systems span about 12 by 9 feet, while motorized screens extend up to 28 feet and disappear into the structure when retracted.
Screen density matches the patio’s use, whether blocking insects, reducing sun or retaining warmth around heaters and fireplaces. At one restaurant needing summer shade and colder-weather enclosure, the team combined screen and vinyl in one configuration.
For motorized projects, St. Louis Screens uses MagnaTrack, whose magnetic tracks selfadjust in high winds or with seasonal structural shifts. According to the manufacturer, the system eliminates approximately 98 percent of service calls associated with other motorized screens. Jim reports no blowouts across roughly 350 to 400 installations.
The Details that Make the Difference
Careful preparation lets most installations finish within one to three business days without rushing. Measurements, material planning and sales-operations coordination give crews a clear picture of the site and how it fits the surrounding structure. Resolving those details early lets crews focus on the finish. Alignment, fit, transitions and how a screen meets siding, posts or uneven surfaces determine whether it feels integrated or simply added on.
The people doing the work matter just as much. St. Louis Screens can teach installation, but hires people who take ownership, treat homes like their own and take pride in the result. A dedicated customer experience and office manager reinforces communication, responsiveness and follow-through to closeout.
“The best screen installation isn’t the one where you notice the screen,” says Kelley, president. “It’s the one where you notice the space.”
Five-star Google reviews and wordof-mouth referrals from homeowners and contractors have helped St. Louis Screens grow eightfold in four years. For Kelley, the rating matters, but what customers say about the team matters more.
As it grows, the company is adding capabilities without giving up familybusiness responsiveness. Kelley’s investment in customer experience, paired with Jim’s involvement in custom projects and builder relationships, helps preserve that balance. It’s also a reason why St. Louis Screens is recognized as Top Residential and Commercial Screen Services 2026.
Screen Service Selection Beyond Product Specifications
A screen project can look simple until the opening dimensions and structure begin to pull the spec in different directions. A large patio may want an unobstructed view, whereas a restaurant enclosure has to consider traffic flow and the sequencing of trade. So, the service provider is being judged beyond the screen itself. The site assessment, design judgment, installation control and follow-through determine whether the finished work will perform as expected. If early measurements are off, the finished look can suffer—especially if the enclosures already built around assumptions the screen installer can’t easily fix.
Product selection should start with how the space will actually be used. Fixed systems can suit openings that need permanent insect protection without introducing moving components. Motorized retractable systems offer flexibility, sometimes you want your space open to the fresh air; other times, you want it closed off. It’s smart for buyers to look past just the motor and think about things like opening size, screen density, how the system deals with wind and the track design. Sun and seasonal changes can really affect how well everything works—especially on big outdoor openings.
The quality of installation is directly tied to what happens before the crew arrives. Good measurements and knowing the structure will minimize rework once materials are on site. Small errors show up over wide spans, and there’s not much room on large-format screens for poor alignment or improvised transitions. Procurement teams should ask how a provider deals with irregular framing, attachment surfaces, electrical clearances and finish details. The answer shows whether customization is embedded in the service process or left to field improvisation.
“St. Louis Screens’ work includes fixed panoramic screens and motorized retractable systems, with attention to large openings and structures that require adaptation rather than standard fitting.”
Commercial projects add coordination pressure. A screen package may intersect with framing or electrical work, making late involvement costly even when the product itself is suitable. Getting providers involved early in the design phase helps make sure attachment points and clearances are sorted out before the rest of the work moves forward. It’s also wise for buyers to pay attention to how well a company handles scheduling and communication—especially when clients like restaurants, builders or venue operators can’t afford multiple site visits. Even the fastest installation window won’t matter if prep falls short or handoffs between sales and field crews break down.
Service after the sale deserves the same concrete review. Retractable systems have moving parts and track assemblies that may require adjustment over time. Response times, ownership of callbacks, warranty handling and access to replacement components should be crystal clear before you buy. Residential buyers can be very responsive, while contractors require predictable interaction within the framework of a larger construction schedule. The useful distinction in either case is whether the provider handles the entire job on some consistent basis of accountability or considers installation the end of the relationship.
St. Louis Screens approaches each project individually, beginning with early site assessment, custom installation planning and close collaboration with builders or homeowners. Their work spans fixed panoramic screens to motorized retractable systems, with careful attention to large openings and structures that require adaptation rather than simple fitting. The company also prepares measurements and materials before crews arrive, enabling installation windows of one to three business days. The construction background is particularly relevant for framing or electrical placement that must be done before screening. The best time to evaluate St. Louis Screens is when you are a buyer working with custom outdoor spaces or other trades.
...Read more
