How to Install a Storm Door - DIY Home Improvement Guides - How to Repair and Remodel your Bathroom, Kitchen and more

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Home Improvement > Doors & Windows > How to Install a Storm Door

Learn how to install a multi-function storm door.

The homeowners decide to install a decorative yet multi-function storm door. It admits the light year-round, admitting the cool breeze in the summer, but keeping it at bay in the winter. The storm door kit has a white aluminum frame and a beveled glass panel and requires very little assembly.

Step by Step Instructions with Video

Step
1

Purchase Your Door

Purchase the door in the appropriate size and design and assemble your tools. The manufacturer of the door the homeowners selected provides excellent printed instructions that take the intimidation out of hanging a door for the first time.

Step
2

Decide Which Side the Storm Door Will Hinge on

Decide which side of the doorframe the storm door will hinge on, checking to ensure there are no obstacles inside or outside that impede the movement of the door. In almost every case, the storm door hinges on the same side as the existing entry door. We elect to follow that custom and hinge it on the left side.

Step
3

Attach the Hinges

Attach the hinges to the left side of the door with a power drill. The purchased door has the hinges built into the left side of a frame, so we actually attach that frame to the left side of the door.

Step
4

Drive the First Screw

Drive the first screw into the single index hole the manufacturer provided to position the frame properly.

Step
5

Bore the Remaining Holes

Install a self-centering drill bit on your power drill to bore the remaining holes for the hinges. This bit has a retractable sleeve that enables the contained pilot bit to drill in the center of the hinge holes.

Step
6

Drill the Pilot Holes

Drill the pilot holes.

Step
7

Drive Screws Into the Door

Drive screws through the hinges into the door to secure the frame.

Step
8

Determine the Length of the Hinge Plate

Measure the height of the door to determine the length of the hinge plate. Our measurement is 80 3/8 inches on both sides, but your measurements may vary.

Step
9

Mark the Hinge Plate

Mark off 80 3/8 inches on the hinge plate on the door.

Step
10

Cut off Extra Length

Cut off the extra length on the hinge plate with a hack saw.

Step
11

Remove Glass and Screen

Flip the door over and remove the glass and the screen, and any packing materials. Removing the screen and glass lessens the weight of the door considerably to make it easier to carry and to install.

Step
12

Stand the Door Upright

Stand the door upright on the outside of the doorway, putting the hinges on the left.

Step
13

Position the Door

Set the weight of the door on top of your shoe so that you can use your foot as a lever to position the door.

Step
14

Drive Screws into Recessed Track/Channel

Drive screws into the recessed track/channel on the storm door frame to support it, once you have it properly positioned.

Step
15

Drill Pilot Holes Through Hinges

Open the door so that it folds back against the wall and drill pilot holes through the exposed hinges with the self-centering bit.

Step
16

Drive Flathead Screws into the Jamb

Drive some flathead screws into the jamb through the hinges. Just snug the screws, because over-tightening them can distort the hinges.

Step
17

Run a Bead of Caulking Along the Edge of the Drip Cap

Run a bead of caulking along the edge of the drip cap that will butt against the door. The drip cap has a J-shaped flange to catch water that runs down the side of the house and channel it away from the doorway. The caulk will help prevent water from running behind the drip cap.

Step
18

Slide Drip Cap Over the Top of the Door

Slide the drip cap over the top of the door, centering it so that it extends slightly over both the left and right sides.

Step
19

Drive Screws Through Drip Cap into Door

Drive screws through the drip cap into the door to secure it.

Step
20

Add Molding

Add the molding to the doorframe.

Step
21

Snap Metal Trim

Snap the metal trim over the tracks/channels that conceal all the screws used to secure the door, working all the way around the doorframe.

Step
22

Prepare to Install the Handle/Latch

Prepare to install the handle/latch set for the storm door, positioning the manufacturer's adhesive backed template to marks the exact positions of holes for the hardware.

Step
23

Mark Holes

Use a spring-loaded punch in the template holes to mark the positions and help the drill get an accurate start.

Step
24

Bore Pilot Holes

Bore pilot holes, using the power drill with a smaller bit and the template as a guide.

Step
25

Make Final Holes for Latch Set

Use a larger bit to make the final holes for the latch set.

Step
26

Attach Latch Mechanism

Attach the latch mechanism to both sides of the door with screws and a hand-held screwdriver.

Step
27

Test Door Movement

Test the movement of the door now that you have installed the latch set.

Step
28

Insert Glass Panel

Insert the glass panel, holding it in place with taper strips supplied by the manufacturer. Squeeze the sides of each precut strip together to insert it at the edge of the glass and push it up until it reaches the edge of the window opening. Fit the strips all the way around the perimeter of the glass.