When you are performing a home improvement project, you may encounter frustration when you find that the door that you intend to use dont fit into the door frames. The door may not fit into the frame if the individual measure the dimensions of the door rather than the frame, or if the foundation of the house have settled unevenly over time. The screen door is piece of functional home hardware, but understanding the dimensions of the door frame and the screen door allow for the screen door to appropriately fit into the door frame.
When purchasing a screen door, individuals often look for a standard size. Standard dimension for screen doors can be found on dimension charts. Common sizes for screen doors is 36 by 80 inch.
How to Measure and Choose the Right Screen Door
However, many older homes have door frames that are only 32 or 34 inch in width. Additionally, many newer homes have door openings that are taller than standard screen doors. If you dont account for these dimensions when purchasing the screen door, it will not appropriately fit into the door frame.
In order to ensure that the screen door that will be purchased will appropriately fit into the door frame, the individual should measure the frame rather than the existing door. The individual should take measurements of the frame at the top of the door, the middle of the door, and at the bottom of the door. Because the door frame may bow or lean, the smallest measurement of the door frame is all that is needed.
From that smallest measurement, subtract a quarter inch from both the width and height of the door opening measurement. The quarter inch allowances provide “breathing room” for the screen door to avoid any binding against the molding of the door frame. The style of screen door that is purchased should be based off the way in which the entrance is to be used.
For entrances that are used to allow individuals to view the area outside of the house, a full view screen door allows for maximum airflow. For entrances whose doors may be exposed to rain or mud, a mid view screen door includes a panel at the bottom of the entrance to avoid exposure to these elements. In areas with changing seasons, a ventilating screen door may be useful in that the glass may be replaced with the mesh door panels.
Retractable screen doors are also available and are useful in that the screen door dissapears into the side of the door when not in use. Another consideration in the purchase of a screen door is the distinction between screen doors and storm doors. Screen doors are the lightweight doors that are used to keep insects out of the house.
Storm doors are heavy doors that are used to protect the house from the weather. Additionally, storm doors often contain tempered glass and weatherstripping, but screen doors does not contain these features. Thus, an individual should purchase a screen door if they would like to allow for a breeze into the house, but purchase a storm door if they wish to protect their primary entrance from the weather during the winter months.
In addition to the distinctions between screen and storm doors, the mesh for the screen door is another feature that must be considered. The most common mesh is fiberglass mesh. Fiberglass mesh is flexible and relatively inexpensive.
If the individual owns a pet, however, whose claws may scratch at the screen door, purchasing a heavy-duty pet mesh will allow for the door to withstand these claws. In coastal areas, solar mesh or privacy mesh may be purchased. Solar mesh will block the UV rays from the sun, and privacy mesh will block the view into the house.
If the house is located near marshes, no-see-um mesh will be helpful in blocking the microscopic insects that may enter the house. The material of the screen door is another consideration in the purchase of the screen door. Aluminum screen doors are common because aluminum does not rust or wear down easily.
Thus, the screen door requires very little maintenance. Wood screen doors are common and traditional, but require more maintenance in that the wood must be regularly painted to protect it from weathering. The hardware that you use to install the screen door will determine the way in which the screen door will function.
For instance, a pneumatic closer is common hardware for screen doors. The tension screw allow for the door to not slam into the door frame when it closes. Additionally, a weather strip and latch are necessary for the screen door to effectively seal the doorway and to allow for the screen door to remain in the closed position.
As long as you clean the mesh each year and the screen door panels are stored during the winter months, the screen door will last for a relatively long period of time.
