Storm Door Instructions

Set up two sawhorses about 3 feet apart. Lay the screen door on the sawhorses with the door's outside facing up. Place the hinged Z-bar onto the door's side. It is possible to choose the hinge side on some storm doors; otherwise, the hinges go on the side opposite the handle.

Move the Z-bar along the door's side until it extends past the door's top by 1/8 inch. Push the hinges down so they are tight against the door's edge. Mark the hinges' screw hole locations onto the door's side. Set the Z-bar aside and drill 1/8-inch pilot holes through the marks.

Line up the hinges' holes with the pilot holes. Secure the hinges in place with the provided screws. Push the Z-bar down so the hinges are in the closed position.

Measure the door opening from the sill to the top of the door frame. Subtract 1/16 inch from the measurement. Measure from the Z-bar's top down and make a mark. Cut the Z bar on the mark with a hacksaw.

Slide the expander off the door's bottom. Turn it upside down and insert the sweep into the expander's slot. Use pliers to crimp the expander's sides to hold the sweep in place.

Hold the storm door in the door opening. Drive two provided screws through the Z-bar to hold the door in place, one screw by the top hinge and one screw by the bottom hinge. Open the door and place the piece of scrap Z-bar you cut off in Step 4 on the door's top corner. Close the door. Check the closing gap between the door and the jamb. It should be less than 1/4 inch.

Open the storm door and use the supplied screws to secure the hinges in place. Close the door and use the supplied screws to secure the Z-bar to the door frame. There are holes in the Z-bar indicating where the screws go.

Hold the storm door open and lay the drip cap, or top Z-bar, so that the bottom rests on the Z-bar's top edge. Close the door and check that the gap between the door's top edge and the drip cap's bottom edge is about 1/8-inch wide. Secure the drip cap in place with the provided screws.

Put silicone caulk into a caulk gun. Cut off the caulk's tip with a utility knife. Run a bead of caulk along the drip cap's top edge. Rub your finger lightly over the caulk to smooth it.

Cut the handle side Z-bar to the same length you previously cut the hinge Z-bar in Step 4. Open the door and place the Z-bar against the side jamb. Butt the Z-bar's top edge against the drip cap. Close the door and check the gap; it should be about 1/8-inch wide. Secure the Z-bar in place with the provided screws.