How to Install a Safety Chain on a Storm Door

The safety chain is the small chain that attaches from your storm door to the frame to prevent it from being able to open up too far. You need to install this chain so that your door does not accidentally open too far due to weather or other accidents, causing damage to your storm door.

1. Inspect the safety chain that came with your storm door to ensure that it is intact, and does not show any signs of damage of weak links. Weak links in the chain can cause it to give out during high winds or extreme force, so you want to be sure that the chain is strong enough to hold up.


2. Open your storm door to the measurement that you would like it to be able to open to, and then ensure that the chain that came with your storm door is long enough to compensate for this. If your chain is too long you can remove links.


3. Attach the chain to the installation plate that you will be installing on your door jamb, ensuring that the link where it is attached is securely in place. You may want to use pliers to squeeze down on the sides of the chains attaching link to ensure that it is closed properly.


4. Use the provided screws and a standard screwdriver to attach the safety chain installation plate to the door jamb at the bottom of your door. You should place it approximately 6 inches from the base of the door jamb.


5. Attach the other side of the safety chain to the storm door where the attachment plate is located. Once again, you should use pliers to properly close the link of chain that is being attached to your storm door.


6. Open the door and check to see if it opens up enough without putting tension on the chain. You want the chain to have a little slack when opening and closing your storm door.