How to Install an Old Style Wooden Screen Door

Old style or traditional screen doors made from wood can be installed on the exterior of your home to allow a fresh breeze indoors during warm days. A screen door is fastened to the exterior casing of the door opening. The door fits between the inside edges of the side casing, head casing and door sill. An old-style screen door butts up against the jamb stops on the interior side to seal the door when closed.

Screen door, with hardware kit
Pencil
Screwdriver
Drill
1/4-inch pilot hole bit

Instructions

- 1
  Test fit the screen door into the opening between the casing and sill on the exterior of the house. Mark the side of the door that will be hinged with a pencil.
- 2
  Place the screen door with the exterior side facing up on a work surface. Align one hinge six inches in from the top and bottom edges of the door on the hinge side. The hinges and screws will be in the hardware kit that came with the door.
- 3
  Drive the provided screws through the holes in the door side of the hinge into the door with a screwdriver.
- 4
  Hold the door in the opening. Open the door and align the hinges with the hinge side of the door casing. Mark the hole locations with a pencil.
- 5
  Drill a 1/4-inch deep pilot hole at each of the hole markings on the inside edge of the hinge side of the door casing using a drill and pilot hole bit.
- 6
  Position the door in the opening with the hinges aligned over the pilot holes. Drive the provided screws through the holes in the hinges into the casing using a screwdriver.
- 7
  Close the door. Align the included closure spring in the center of the door so that it spans from the door jamb to the interior side of the door. Mark the location of each end on the jamb and door frame respectively. Thread an eye bolt into each mark and attach the spring. The spring and eye bolts will be included in the hardware kit.

How to Install Inset Door Hinges

How to Seal a Gap in a Garage Door

Doors