How to Install a Storm Door

Ron's second project for this week took him to Brentwood, New Hampshire where he met Sue and Marcus Sutch. The Sutches, like the pilgrims, came from Old England to make New England their new home. Sue asked Ron for his assistance because she wanted to dress up the front of her home with a sturdy yet decorative storm door, but she didn't have the experience that she needed to tackle the installation on her own.

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

1. Look over the directions:

• Some manufacturers provide excellent instructions. Ron recommends that you read these carefully before you get started.
  
• Decide which side to hinge your new storm door on. In most cases it should be hinged on the same side that the entry door hinges.

2. Attach the hinges to the door:

• The four hinges were built right into the left side of the frame on this particular door. Start by attaching the entire frame along with the hinges on the side of the door you have chosen. To make this easier, some manufacturers provide an index hole to help you get started.

• A self-centering drill bit is ideal for installing hinges because the outside sleeve of the bit retracts allowing the pilot bit to place the hole directly in the center of the hinge hole.
• After drilling the pilot hole, secure the hinges with the screws that should be provided

• Measure the height of the door to determine the length of the hinge plate. Mark off the length on the hinge plate and use a hacksaw to easily cut away the excess.

3. Install the door:

• Removing the glass from the storm door will make it much easier to handle while securing it in place.
• Ron recommends using your foot to support the weight of the door. Lift your heel to guide it into place. Once the door is lined up in the frame, use the screws provided to secure it in place along the outside frame.

• Next, open the door and install flat head screws through the hinges and into the door jam. Once again use the self-centering bit to drill pilot holes for this hinge installation.
• When fastening the screws, it is important not to over tighten them. If you do, it can distort the hinge causing the door to not open and close properly. You just need a nice, snug fit.

4. Install drip cap and trim:

• The drip cap is a J shaped strip that is designed to catch the water that comes down the side of the house and channel it away from the doorway. Ron recommends that you apply some caulking to the strip before installing it in place over the top of the doorframe as a little insurance to keep any water from running down behind the drip cap. Slide the drip cap in place. It should extend just beyond the left and right sides. Use the screws provided to secure it in place.

• Add the molding to the doorframe. This metal trim snaps over the channel and conceals all of the screws used to install the door.

• The manufacturer may provide a stick-on template to show exactly where to drill the holes for the latch set. This is extremely helpful. If one is not provided, determine the height of the latch set, then carefully mark the screw positions with a pencil.

• Use a spring-loaded punch to provide small indentations that will help the drill get an accurate start. Next, bore pilot holes, still using the template as a guide. Finally, with a larger bit, make the final holes for the latch set and attach the latch to the door with screws.
• With the latch set installed, it is time to test the door.

6. Install glass or screen:

• Reinstall the glass panel or the screen, depending on the time of year and the weather. Plastic keeper strips are used to hold the glass in place.

THE RESULTS:
That didn't take long at all! Carefully following the manufacturer's instructions and bringing along the right tools for the job made a simple task out of this storm door installation project. With Ron's help, their new storm door is professionally installed and the Sutch family is ready to let in some of that outdoor light even in the winter.