How to Install a Storm Door Made of Metal

This HouseCall took Ron and his crew to New Hampshire's capital city of Concord. In the outlying community of Bow, Ron met up with Chris and Chrissy Peters who are living the rural New England dream in a log home on the woodsy shore of a small lake. But along with the panoramic paradise view came the downside… a chilly wintertime wind that penetrated the otherwise cozy home through the front door, causing drafts. With Chris and Chrissy spending much more on heating than need be, Ron blew into town to help them install an energy efficient storm door. .

Click here for a list of what you will need in order to complete this project.

1. Select storm door

• Since the Peters liked to leave the front door open during the summer, Ron recommended a storm door that was also a screen door in the summertime. The door Ron selected was clear from top to bottom so that it would not hide their beautiful oak door.

• To prepare the door for installation, Ron and Chris lightened it by removing the glass and screen panels.

• The next step was to install the hinge frame, which is a doorframe with the hinge built right into it.

• Chris and Chrissy attached the hinge frame to the storm door with six screws.

• The frame was longer than the door. It was manufactured that way so it could be cut to size to fit each specific doorway. Chrissy measured the doorjamb on the side where the hinges would attach.

• Ron used a utility knife to mark the cut line about an inch short to make it easier to mount the door to the jamb.

• Ron used a hacksaw to make the cut.

• The adjustable door bottom was designed to slip over the bottom edge of the door. To install the door they pushed the bottom up as far as it would go. After they installed the door, they would pull it down in contact with the threshold to create a watertight seal.

3. Install door and frame pieces

• They aligned the door in the doorway making sure that the hinge frame side was tight up against the jamb.

• Ron drove just one screw in at the top to help support the door in the opening while they checked to see how everything fit.

• They swung the door open and closed to check for clearance.

• They attached the remaining screws that fastened the hinge frame to the jamb. Chrissy drove in the screws on the interior flange…

• …and Chris handled the ones on the exterior.

• Next, they installed the top frame, which attached up on the top jamb. Ron first held it up in position…

• …while they carefully closed the door.