How to Install a Steel Storm Door
Steel doors are mainly used for extra protection from intruders and windy or sunny weather. Depending on the architecture of the home, a steel door can add to the décor. Steel doors are also great for preventing pest access to the inside of a home. A few basic steps can install a steel door in your home.
Supplies needed:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Drill
- Wood screws (1 inch)
- Sawhorses
- Hacksaw
- Determine if your home is eligible for a storm door installation. Most storm doors are designed to be installed in homes that have brick molding or trim around the exterior of the entrance. If you fall under this category, measure the area around the frame of your existing door and find a door that matches the dimensions.
- Slide the hinge rail into the frame of the door space. The top portion of the rail should be pressed against the top of the brick molding or time frame. The hinge rail should be on the side of the openings as the hinges on the storm door.
- Mark a space for the top screw hole in the hinge rail. The tip of the pencil should be slid through the hole to mark a spot for the doorframe. Once you have made your mark, sit the hinge rail to the side.
- Insert a wood screw in the hole that was marked and drill the screw into the frame, halfway.
- Position the door on a pair of sawhorses and fit the hinge rail to the edge of the door, tightly. Fasten the rail to the door’s edge using the pre-drilled holes. Typically, the storm doors come with fasteners, but if you are not provided with them you can use the wood screws as a substitute. If there aren’t any pre-drilled holes, drill them using a carbide-tip drill bit.
- Attach the door to the opening, with the hinge railing attached. Secure the railing to the frame using the door fasteners or the wood screws.
- Fit the bottom of the hinge rail in place and fit the drip cap on top of the door. Include any weather-stripping according to the instruction.