How to Adjust the Screen Door to Open Wider

Screen doors are restricted in their swing distance by a pneumatic or hydraulic closer, and a safety chain. The closer pulls your screen door shut, while slowing the rate of closure to prevent slamming and injury. The safety chain is a dead stop that does not allow the door to open past its limits. To alter your screen door swing range, one or both of these elements must be adjusted or removed, so that they no longer keep the door from proceeding farther on its path.

Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the mounting screws that hold the pneumatic door closer fastened to your screen door. Use your screwdriver to loosen and remove the mounting screw. The mounting screw bracket has several holes through which it can be installed, and which alter the alignment of the closer.
- 2
  Slide the closer toward the door opening, and use your screwdriver to reinstall the mounting screw through the last bracket hole, and into the screen door. The door should now be able to open farther than it did prior to your adjustment.
- 3
  Locate the safety chain mounted near the top of your screen door. Use your screwdriver to remove the screws which hold the safety chain to your door, and to the door frame. With the chain removed, the door can swing open as wide as you wish. If you have a door closer, this mechanism will still govern the swing range of your door, but if you do not, the range will be limited only by the clearance of the door.

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