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How
To Replace an Old Screen Door in 6 Steps
A storm or screen door is the first door someone
sees when approaching your house, and it's your first line
of defense against the elements. Storm doors are also a lot
less expensive and easier to replace than exterior doors. This
job is a straightforward project that involves only minimal
carpentry skills. It is a good project even for the first-timer.
A
good storm door earns its keep during winter and summer. In winter it prevents cold air from entering, and in summer
it allows you to open up and enjoy a breeze without being eaten
alive by the bugs. An attractive new storm door also goes a
long way to dressing up the entrance to your house.
One option while shopping for a storm door is to consider
the new security doors that come with dead-bolt locks. These
are sturdy, top-of-the-line doors with strong grilles over
the glass or screen areas. The decorative grilles are designed
to be strong enough to prevent entry but still look attractive.
Installing a security door is no more difficult than installing
a standard aluminum storm/screen door. In some cases, it's
even easier.
Ready-made storm/screen doors are available in several standard
sizes to fit typical door openings. Most of the better doors
come with three-piece jambs with Z-bars that allow you to install
the doors to swing to either the right or left. Be sure to
carefully follow the specific manufacturer's directions that
will come with any door you order.
Here are some general tips to help you install any storm/screen
door:
1.
Measure the door jamb. Do this before you buy any door.
You probably will find your door is about 32 or 36 inches wide
and 80 inches high. Measure the widest opening, that is, from
the inside face to the latch on the opposite jamb face. Take
a measurement at the top of the door, in the center, and at
the bottom.
Use the smallest of these numbers when ordering. Also measure
the height of the door, from the face of the top jamb to the
threshold. If your jamb is slightly larger than 32 or 36 inches
by 80 inches, you can shim down the opening for a good fit.
But if your jamb is more than 1/4 inch smaller than either
of these standard dimensions, you probably will have to have
a custom door manufactured to fit the jamb.
2.
Decide on the swing. Decide how you want the door to open.
Usually you would install the storm door so the latch is on
the same side as the latch on the entry door. Temporarily place
the door in the jamb as you want it to open. There are three
parts to the door frame: a header frame for the top, and side
frames for the hinge and latch. This allows for hanging the
door to swing either to the left or to the right.
3.
Cut the side frames. Use a hack-saw with a fine-toothed
blade (32 teeth per inch) to cut the hinge and latch side frames
to length. To provide clearance at the top of the door for
the header frame, cut these frames about 1/4 inch less than
the door height (or as specified by the directions).
4.
Install the hinges. Remove the door and set it on edge
with the hinge side up. Position the hinge frame on the door
so that it is almost flush with the top of the door and so
that the weather stripping is in contact with the inside of
the door when it is closed. The long end of the frame should
extend beyond the bottom of the door. Align the hinges with
the predrilled holes for the center of each hinge, and attach
them with the screws provided. Then drill pilot holes for the
remaining hinge-mounting screws, and install these self-tapping
screws.
5.
Hang the door. Put the door and hinge frame into the doorjamb,
and hold it there while you mark the location of the top predrilled
hole on the jamb with a pencil. Drill a 1/8 inch pilot hole
through the mark and install a screw, but don't tighten it
all the way. Before you install the other screws, square up
the door and check its alignment in the doorjamb. Place shims
between the hinge frame and the jamb if there is a gap of more
than 1/8 inch between the frame and inside face of the jamb.
When the door is square and will open and close without binding,
install another screw at the bottom of the hinge frame. Recheck
the door alignment. Then install the rest of the screws in
the face of the hinge frame. Make the latch bolt mortise. Use
the latch frame as a template to mark the location of the latch
bolt mortise on the jamb. Use a 1/2 inch wood chisel to cut
the mortise in the jamb. Make the latch bolt mortise at least
1/2 inch deep. Install the rest of the frame. Place the lock
side frame in the doorjamb, and check that there is no more
than 1/8 inch clearance between the frame and door.
If there is more of a gap, place shims behind the side frame,
and nail and glue them to the doorjamb. Be sure the nails are
not in the mortise area. Then screw the frame to the jamb,
starting with the top screw. Next, install the bottom screw,
then recheck alignment and install the remaining screws. Finally,
install the top frame.
6.
Adjust the door fit. The last adjustment is at the bottom
of the door. Close the door, then push down the adjustable
expander at the bottom of the door until the vinyl sweeps come
into firm contact with the threshold. Open and close the door
to check for binding, then drill pilot holes and install the
screws locking the expander in place. Before you put the glass
or screen in place, install the door closer and safety chain.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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