How to Install a Steel Storm Door
A steel storm door protects your home from break-ins, wind and harsh sun. It can also have a decorative effect, and can even change the entire look of your home. Steel storm doors also allow homeowners to bring in sunlight and exterior views while keeping pests and rain out. Best of all, storm doors are relatively easy to install for most DIY homeowners, and require only basic tools and equipment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Examine your existing door frame from the outside. Storm doors are designed for installation within the brick molding or trim on the exterior side of your existing entrance door. Measure this opening then choose a storm door that matches these dimensions.
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2
Slide the hinge rail of the door tightly into the frame. The top of the rail should butt against the top of the door frame (or brick molding/trim). Make sure the hinge rail is on the same side of the opening as the hinges on your storm door.
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3
Use a pencil to mark the top screw hole in the hinge rail. Slide the tip of the pencil through this hole to make a mark on the door frame at this location, then remove the hinge rail and set it aside.
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4
Insert a 1-inch wood screw into the door frame at the location you marked in Step 3. Only drill the screw into the frame halfway, so half of the screw is projecting out of the frame. This screw is known as a "placeholder," and is used for hanging the door later on in the project.
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5
Lay the door on a pair of sawhorses and fit the hinge rail tightly to the edge of the door. Fasten the rail to the edge of the door using the pre-drilled holes. Most storm doors come with the correct type of fasteners for this task. If none are provided, use 1-inch wood screws. If no pre-drilled holes have been made in the edge of the door or rail, pre-drill these holes yourself using a carbide-tip drill bit.
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6
Carry the door and attached hinge rail to the opening. Hang the door from the placeholder screw by lining up the corresponding hole in the hinge rail with the head of the placeholder screw.
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7
Secure the hinge rail to the door frame/brick molding using the fasteners provided with your door. If no fasteners were provided, use 1-inch wood screws.
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8
Fit the bottom of the hinge rail extender so it sits flush with the ground. Some models may have a set screw that holds this extender in place. Use a drill to secure this screw once the extender is in place.
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9
Fit the drip cap to the top of the door, securing it with the screws provided by the manufacturer. Install any weatherstripping or door sweeps along the bottom of the door according to the installation instructions. Hang hardware using the manufacturer's installation guide to complete the project.
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Tips & Warnings
Storm doors that do not come with a hinge rail extender may need to be cut to fit the opening. Wear safety glasses and use a hacksaw to cut the bottom of this rail to fit the opening.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit entrance or porch over entrance. image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
