How to Install a Larson Midview Storm Door

Determine the hinge side of the door. Use a level to verify the jamb surface is plumb. Use a framing square to make certain the jamb corners are square to each other. If the jamb is out of square by 1/8-inch or less, note the variance and adjust the storm door rail placement as needed.

Separate the door assembly. In addition to the Larson storm door, there is a top rail, a latch rail and a hinge rail, a door extender (attached to the door), a door sweep gasket, and two rail extenders labeled "L" (left) and "R" (right).

Verify that the required mounting space required for the storm door frame is available. A minimum mounting space 1 inch deep and 1 inch wide at the perimeter of the door jamb is required to install a Larson storm door frame. If the storm door's self-contained frame is to be mounted on top of the exterior trim, make certain the trim is securely fastened to the jamb.

Position the storm door's hinge rail in place against the hinge-side door jamb, with the hinges toward the outside and the insulation strip toward the inside. Push the top of the storm door jamb section to 1 inch above the lip of the header jamb. Mark each of the screw holes on the jamb using a pencil.

Tap an awl or center punch into each screw hole marked in Step 4 using a hammer. Insert one of the panhead screws provided into each screw hole and the screw head approximately 1/8-inch above the jamb surface.

Rest the storm door on sawhorses, with the interior side upward. Remove the door extender from the bottom of the door.

Locate the second screw from the top of the door on the side to be hinged and remove the screw.

Align the storm door hinge rail beside the storm door and secure the premounted jamb hinges to the door using the screws provided. Begin the attachment with the top hinge, aligning the top hinge hole with the screw hole left by the removed screw in Step 7. Use a 1/8-inch drill bit to bore each of the remaining screw holes at each hinge and install two #8 screws at each hinge. There are a total of four hinges to secure and the top of the rail will extend about 1/8-inch above the top of the door.

Slide the appropriate rail extender onto the bottom of the hinge rail. The two rail extenders are labeled "L" (left) or "R" (right) and are shaped to fit snugly on the rail end. Slip the extender all the way onto the rail's bottom end.

Stand the storm door upright next to the door opening and hook the rail over the jamb screws inserted in Step 5. Begin at the top of the rail and tighten each of the screws to secure the rail to the door jamb. When the hinge rail is secured to the jamb, slide the rail extender downward to rest firmly on the threshold surface. You may have to loosen the lowest rail screw to move the extender, then retighten the screw once it's set.

Position the top rail against the door jamb at the top, with the end miter tight to the hinge rail and secure it to the jamb with the #8 screws provided. Close the door to verify the gap between the top rail and the top of the door is consistent and equal to the gap on the hinge rail side.

Slide the remaining rail extender onto the latch rail and position the rail against the door jamb on the latch side. Push the latch rail all the way up against the top rail and secure it to the jamb with the screws provided. When the latch rail is secured to the jamb, slide the rail extender downward to rest firmly on the threshold surface. You may have to loosen the lowest rail screw to move the extender, then retighten the screw once it's set.

Install the top drip cap to the top of the door opening, lapping both ends over the storm door rails, and the bottom edge flush with the storm door's top rail. Secure with the #8 screws provided.

Slide the rubber drip gasket into the channel slot in the bottom of the door extender. Position the gasket even on one end, then trim the other end flush using a utility knife. Crimp each end of the channel to lock the gasket in place using a pair of pliers.

Open the storm door and slide the door extender onto the door until both ends are flush with the door edges. Close the door and push the extender downward until the rubber sweep gasket rests on the door's threshold.

Install the storm door handle and latch following the manufacturer's directions. Close the door to verify the latch engages the rail bar to secure the door closed and shift the lock lever to insure the lever moves freely. Adjust, if needed, according to the directions.