How To Install Exterior Screen Door

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A screen door tin spruce up a simple entryway and serve as a practical addition to your home. It will offer minor protection to your door from the elements during the colder months, and let you lot to let in some fresh air during the warmer months. You may think that you have to hire a professional person to install i, but you lot don't. As long equally you correctly mensurate the door frame and acquire the necessary tools, you will be able to properly install a screen door in no fourth dimension.

1
Measure out the exterior of the door frame. Not all door frames will exist perfectly square, so to account for this, take the length and width measurements forth the acme, middle, and bottom portions of the frame. Think of these measurements like a filigree across the opening of your door.^[i]
- The average door pinnacle is usually 80 inches (200 cm), and some standard widths are 36 inches (91 cm), 32 inches (81 cm), and 30 inches (76 cm). Your door frame volition most probable measure a lilliputian scrap more than ane of those standard door sizes.
- If you take to use a tall step stool or ladder to take these measurements, or for any other part during the installation process, have someone hold the stool or ladder in place. It is dangerous to work on a ladder without someone to help you.^[2]
ii
Subtract ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm) from the shortest length and width measurements. Y'all need at least a ¹⁄₈ inch (0.32 cm) gap around the entirety of the door to ensure that information technology volition fit properly. Using the shortest length and width will take into account that the door frame might not be perfectly foursquare.^[3]
- If your door frame is eighty and ¹⁄_four inch (203.xx and 0.64 cm) tall and 36 and ¹⁄₄ inch (91.44 and 0.64 cm) wide, expect for a door that is lxxx inches (200 cm) tall and 36 inches (91 cm) wide.
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3
Choose a style that will complement the exterior of your business firm. Screen doors are often the focal points to front and side entries of homes. Choose a textile, color, and style that will best accent your abode. The nearly mutual ones are fabricated of forest, just there are aluminum and vinyl screen doors likewise. A wide option of these options tin exist found either online or at your local home improvement or hardware shop.^[4]
- Unfinished pino screen doors are great to have when working on a tight budget. The average door will price around $30.00 USD (25.49 Euros). The elementary design and unfinished woods will give you the option to stain or pigment information technology whatever colour you desire. Choose a classic white trim, a rustic stain, or a bold paint color that volition contrast traditional siding. If you determine to paint the door, apply exterior pigment so information technology tin can withstand the elements.
- Vinyl and aluminum screen doors are simple and easy to install. These are offered in standard, neutral colors and shades, and will not require you to paint them before installing. The starting price for these doors typically start at $50.00 (42.48 Euros) and increase from in that location between brands.
- Expect for screen doors that pause away from traditional models by purchasing one made of hardwood or one that has a unique blueprint. Either of these types of screen doors volition make an excellent statement piece for the forepart of your dwelling house. The starting costs for these designs can vary profoundly, just at about you may pay $200.00 (169.93 Euros).
4
Make up one's mind on a screen material if the option is available. Some manufacturers will allow y'all to select a textile to make your screen out of. The common choices are often between a plastic mesh, metallic mesh, iron screen, or solid metal screen.^[5]
- Plastic and metal meshes are the most common screen materials due to the affordable pricing, but tin tear easily.
- Atomic number 26 and solid metal screens are durable enough to withstand a pet accidentally jumping on it, but these options can be pricey.
5
Check the screen door for any damages to the frame or screen. Since you lot near likely had to order the door at a local home comeback or hardware shop, bank check that information technology is in skilful condition before you proceed with installing information technology. Expect for any noticeable dents or dings in the framing equally this could compromise the integrity of the door. Closely examine the screen for any tears or manufacturing defects that would allow bugs and other small critters to clamber through.^[6]
- Proceed with the installation procedure if y'all don't find anything incorrect with the screen door. If you exercise observe something wrong, speak with a representative at the store you lot ordered it from nigh returning or exchanging the particular.
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1

Make up one's mind which direction the door will open. Mostly, the handle for the screen door should be on the same side as the handle for your primary door. Nevertheless, if the handles volition interfere with each other or if the screen door will open and hit an object, have it open in the other direction.^[vii]
2
Have someone assistance you safely put the screen door in the door frame. Even though the screen door may not be heavy to lift and hold in place, y'all need to accept your hands free to properly secure and install it. Recruit a willing family member or friend to but gently apply force per unit area on the screen door and so information technology does non autumn frontwards.^[eight]
- If you do not have someone who tin hold the door in identify, remove the door once you have confirmed it fits. It is easier to attach the hinges to the door when it is not in the door frame when y'all are working by yourself.^[9]
3
Wedge shims betwixt the door and the frame to check that it fits. Shims are sparse, tapered items that are used equally spacers. Identify at least 1 shim along the superlative and bottom of the door, and two shims on each side. This is an easy fashion to double-check that at that place is the needed ^one⁄₈ inch (0.32 cm) gap effectually the entire door.^[10]
- If the shims cannot be inserted, this means that portions of your door frame are not square. For minor adjustments, lightly sand the screen door if it is wood, or sand the wooden frame until it fits.^[xi]
- If both your door and frame are non made of wood, have a professional safely square the frame and finish installing the door.^[12]
4
Measure the placements for the 3 hinges along the length of the door. The hinges will be on the opposite side of the door from the handle. Make marks along the border of the door that are 5 inches (13 cm) from the elevation and bottom. This is where the upper and lower hinges will be placed. The last hinge will be placed centrally to the first 2 marks.^[thirteen]
- Alternatively, to avoid measuring for the hinges, align them to lucifer the hinges on the inside door. This works best if the screen door and the inside door take the same dimensions.^[fourteen]
- Use a pencil to make marks on the door and then they tin be hands washed off.
5
Utilise a hinge equally a template on the door and drill airplane pilot holes for the screws. Align the swivel with the measured marks you made on the door. This will ensure that you drill the needed holes in the proper identify on the door.^[xv]
- Drill the necessary number of pilot holes needed for each of the iii hinges in the marked areas on the door.
6
Use a drill to install the mounting screws into the pilot holes. Slowly install the screws until the swivel is firmly pressed confronting the door; otherwise, you might cause the hinge to twist or fall out of identify. In that location will most likely be 3 mounting screws per hinge, and then effort and commencement with the middle hole on the hinge to ground it, and and so the outer ones.^[16]
- Only use the hardware that came with the screen door as those pieces will work best for hanging it.
- Repeat this procedure until all iii hinges are properly secured to the door.
7
Adhere the hinges to the door frame. With the door being held in identify, apply your drill to secure the hinges to the adjoining door frame. Start by making starter holes, using the attached hinges as a guide, and and then install the mounting screws.^[17]
- Since you have already properly mounted the hinges to the door and take the door properly spaced with shims you should non have to do any measuring for this role. However, y'all may want to use a level to double-bank check that the door is still sitting evenly before screwing it in place.
- If yous are hanging the door by yourself and practical the hinges on while the door was laying flat, you lot need to place the door into the door frame before finishing attaching the hinges.^[eighteen]
eight

Open and close the door to see if it needs whatsoever adjustments. Open the door to double-cheque that the hinges aren't sagging and are properly supporting the door. This could hateful that you did not fully set in the mounting screws. Then close the door to ensure that it naturally fits back into the door frame. If information technology seems like it is rubbing, so try loosening or tightening the mounting screws appropriately until the door fits.^[xix]
ix

Install a decorative door knob or pull to brand using the door easier. Since these can vary in style, follow the manufacturing instructions on how to properly install the handle components it came with. Mostly, there will be starter holes on your door, but if in that location isn't, use the height of the handle on the interior door every bit a reference. Even if your knob or pull is not on the same side as the interior door handle, have it exist the aforementioned top for ease of use.^[20]

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Add New Question

Question

When installing a screen door on tracks, do I put the top of the door in start and then put the lesser on the track?

Yes. The "wheels" on the screen pinnacle should be adjusted enough to allow the screen door to exist lifted up high enough for the bottom "wheels" to be assail the track.
Question

What do I do if my new screen door fit until the hinges were installed and at present doesn't shut all the way?

You will need to motility the hinges away from the door frame a bit and spiral them in over again (away from the edge against which is it endmost). This will give it more space to shut.
Question

Is the spline on the inside?

Yes, brand sure the spline is on the inside when yous mountain the door. It is a "pocket-sized" security thing, but a major advent matter!
Question

Can I install a 36 inch screen to a 32 inch frame?

No you lot cannot, information technology would be too big. Y'all could try getting a bigger frame for it or trimming the forest of the door.
Question

Practice I take the screen door on the inside or outside?

It doesn't affair, merely from my experience, information technology depends on a number of variables. For example, if you have dogs/cats that may scratch the screen or tear holes in information technology, you volition desire it on the outside.
Question

Where should I install the bound on a screen door?

Typically, you desire to install the spring at the tiptop of the door, and make sure that tension is on it through the full swing of the door, but not also much tension when the door is fully open.
Question

What size lumber should I employ for framing a door?

2x4 timber is best.
Question

How do I have a half inch off the bottom of my screen door without wrecking it?

I would recommend sanding information technology. Sanding can be very precise, and a half inch would not take long.
Question

Can I use the same screws for my old screen door in my new one?

You could, though I would recommend using new ones, as they'll take a longer lifespan.
Question

Exercise the hinges go on the exterior of the door if I want the door to swing to the outside?

Yes, the outward swinging screen door hinges volition typically ideally open outward, away from the inside main door. Setting them inside between the two doors would exist an unusual, difficult and unnecessary system. Choose decorative or aesthetically pleasing hinges that function to your liking. At that place are spring hinges.

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If you live in a moisture area, consider installing a drip or rain cap to a higher place the screen door to keep water from getting in.^[21]
Paint or stain the screen door and allow information technology to dry out before you hang it. If you decide to pigment the door afterward you hang it, consider uninstalling it to practice so; otherwise, you will have to tape off the surface area with painter's tape.^[22]

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

When using a ladder or alpine step stool, accept someone agree information technology in place. This will prevent you from wobbling as y'all motion up and down the item.^[23]

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Things Yous'll Demand

Screen door with accompanying hardware
Record measurer
Pencil
Shims
Ability drill
Stepladder (optional)
Sawhorses (optional)

About This Article

Article Summary X

To install a screen door, offset by asking a friend to hold the door in the door frame and then the screen door's handle is on the same side as the chief door's handle. Then, using a hinge as a template, drill pilot holes for the 3 hinges, which will keep the opposite side of the door as the handle. You lot should have the upper and lower hinges v inches from the top and lesser of the door, and the third hinge centered between those. Finally, install the mounting screws and hinges on the door frame to secure it in place. To learn how to choose a screen door that fits your door frame, go on reading!

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