Larson Storm Door Model 349-52 Installation

Choose whether you want the storm door to open to the right or left. This model has a "Reversa-Hinge" that allows you do that. If this is a custom-size door, you may not have that option.

Use a carpenter's square to ensure the house's trim is square. If it's not, remove the trim with a pry bar and square it. Replace the trim with finishing nails.

Hold the hinge rail against the door jamb. Mark the location of the top screw hole. Pre-drill the hole with a 1/8-inch bit, and then attach one of the 1-inch No. 8 screws that came with the assembly kit to that spot on the door jamb. Do not tighten the screw all the way.

Set the door with its inside facing up on a pair of saw horses or a flat surface. Locate the pre-drilled hinge locator hole on the hinge side of the door. Attach the hinge rail to that hole with a 1/2-inch No. 10 screw from the assembly kit. Drill seven pilot holes with the 1/8-inch drill bit for all of the remaining holes on the hinges. Use seven 1/2-inch No. 10 screws to attach the hinge rail completely to the door.

Locate the door extender in the assembly kit. It has an "L" marked on it. Slide it on the bottom of the hinge rail. Hang the hinge rail over the screw you put in the door jamb earlier. Push the hinge rail tight against the door frame as you finish tightening that screw.

Use a 1/8-inch drill bit to drill a pilot hole for the bottom screw location that connects the hinge rail to the door jamb. Use a 1-inch no. 8 screw, but do not tighten it completely. Open the door and slide the door extender as far down as it can go. Drill pilot holes for the remaining eight spots on the door jamb. Use 1-inch No. 8 screws in all those holes to secure the door to the door jamb. Tighten all screws securely, but do not over-tighten.

Close the door securely in the frame. Push the outside of the hinge rail firmly against the outside of the door frame. Mark the location of the five holes on the outer side of the hinge rail. Use the 1/8-inch bit to drill pilot holes into the door frame. Secure this with 1-inch No. 8 screws from the assembly kit. Do not over-tighten the screws.

Cut weather stripping from the assembly kit to fit in the door extender using a pair of scissors. Peel off the backing and stick the weather stripping on the extender.

Hold the drip cap over the top of the door frame. Align the end with the hinge rail. Open and close the door to ensure there is enough clearance. Make adjustments as necessary. Mark the location of the three holes on the drip cap. Drill pilot holes with the 1/8-inch drill bit. Attach the drip cap using 1-inch No. 8 screws. Run a bead of silicone caulking around the top and sides of the drip cap using a caulk gun.

Locate the latch rail extender piece marked with a "R." Slide it onto the bottom of the latch rail. Hold the latch rail in place with the top against the drip cap and the bottom extender against the door sill. Open and close the door to check for clearance. Mark the location of the five holes on the latch rail along the door jamb. Pre-drill holes and use the 1-inch No. 8 screws to attach the latch rail to the door jamb. Install the weather stripping, cut to fit, on the extender.

Install the door hardware following the specific instructions for the hardware.

Slide the sweep into the groove on the bottom of the door expander. Use a few drops of dish detergent to help it slide easily into position. Cut off any excess with a utility knife. Crimp both ends slightly with a pair of pliers to hold the sweep in place.

Open the door. Slide the door expander over the bottom of the door with the sweep facing down and the two holes on the inside of the door. Raise or lower the sweep so it just barely touches the threshold. Drill two pilot holes with a 3/32-inch bit. Do not drill through the front of the door. Attach the expander with two 3/8-inch No. 6 screws from the assembly kit.

Finish the Larson door installation by following directions on the closer kit that came with the door.