How to Install an Old Aluminum Screen Door
Storm doors/screen doors help keep our homes pest-free. If your home did not come equipped with a storm door, don't despair; you can retrofit your existing main door with one of those old aluminum varieties readily available in salvage yards and at garage sales. The installation process is within the capabilities of most do-it-yourselfers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Hold the head jamb in place at the top of the main door's brick molding (the trim piece at the top of the main door). Trim with your hacksaw to fit and screw it into place. Follow the same procedure to install the latch side frame member.Most old aluminum screen doors are built with the hinge-side frame member and the door itself as a one-piece unit. The head jamb (the top horizontal part of the frame closest to your head) is usually a separate piece as is the latch side of the frame.
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Hold the screen door and hinge assembly in place on the hinge side of the main door opening and check the fit. When there's no more than a 1/4-inch gap all around, drive one screw each at the top and bottom of the hinge-side member to hold the door in place.
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Inspect the door's leading edge. If it binds at the latch-side frame member you have two options: adjust the latch-side frame member by backing out the screws that fasten it to the main door frame and adjusting it closer to the brick molding; or install the door and hinge-side member snug against the hinge-side brick molding.
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Remove material from the aluminum door's leading edge if needed. using a sharp metal-cutting file until a proper fit is achieved.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove the glass panels and install the door with the screens in place. The added weight of the glass panels makes the installation process more difficult and potentially dangerous.
