Sliding screen doors are designed to be paired with sliding glass doors. If you don’t already have a sliding glass door in your home, your first task will be to put one in in order to provide the proper frame and track for your screen door.
Keep in mind that buying doors made from sturdier or less common materials may drive up the amount of money you spend on your project. A heavier screen door isn’t guaranteed to provide more protection from the elements. In fact, aluminum tends to be more resistant to rust and corrosion than many other metals. [3] X Research source
On average, you can expect to pay around $30-40 on a standard aluminum screen door.
Take a moment to read through the installation instructions for the model you purchased before attempting to put in your new door. Be careful not to let your door tip over accidentally if you’ve propped it up to remove the packaging.
If your glass door has been set up for right-handed use, the handle will be on the left side of the door frame. This orientation will be reversed for left-handed doors. Be sure to spin the door around on its Y-axis, not its X-axis. Rotating the door laterally will put the handle lever on the wrong side of door. [7] X Research source
Many newer sliding screen doors come with built-in expanders, which makes it possible to fine-tune a door’s fit inside its frame following installation. On some models, the access holes containing the expander screws might be covered with small plastic plugs. You’ll need to pry these plugs out with the blade of your screwdriver before you can adjust the expanders.
The weather stripping on a sliding screen door attaches to the outside edge to prevent insects from slipping into the gap between the 2 doors. Weather stripping isn’t usually necessary for the inside edge, which forms a seal with the door jamb when the door is closed.
Sliding screen doors aren’t very heavy, but all the same, it may be a good idea to have someone give you a hand holding your door steady while you fit it into the frame.
If your fingers are getting in the way of the door clearing the bottom rail, it may help to use a putty knife or similar broad, flat tool to lift up on the door just below the roller and slip it inside. [13] X Research source Once you’ve got the door installed, slide it back and forth in the frame a few times to make sure the rollers are properly aligned inside the bottom track.
On some models, tightening the expander screws raises the door and loosening them lowers it. [15] X Research source If your door has expanders at both the top and bottom, it will only be necessary to adjust one set.
Consider drilling 1-2 3⁄4 in (1. 9 cm) screws through the top or bottom expander panels. This will essentially lock them in place and prevent the door from shifting over time. [16] X Research source
If the weather stripping is too long at the bottom of the door, trim the excess material using a utility knife or pair of scissors. [18] X Research source
If the manufacturer of your screen door didn’t provide screws for easy installation, 3⁄4 in (1. 9 cm) fasteners will be just about the right size for most door frames. To lock and unlock your door, simply slide the inset button on the handle up or down. You’ll hear a faint click when the door is securely locked.
