A storm door is easy to install and can help make your house more energy-efficient. Many styles and colors are available, with prices ranging from $80 to $400. Materials:
Drill, with drill bits, a spade bit and driver bits
Utility knife
Measuring tape
Level
Pliers
Phillips- and flat-head screwdrivers
Hacksaw
Pencil
Caulk gun and caulk
Safety glasses
Note: Remove the glass from the storm door before installing it. The glass makes up a considerable percentage of the door's weight. - Before you purchase a storm door, measure the opening to determine the proper size (figure A). Make sure the doorjamb and surrounding trim are solid. Most storm doors can be installed to open to the left or the right. You'll probably find it more convenient to install your storm door so that the handle is on the same side as the front-door handle.
- Mark the hinge frame at a length 1/8" less than that of the door-frame opening to allow room for your header, which will be installed later. Include the slope of the threshold when you mark the hinge frame. Cut the hinge frame to size with a hacksaw (figure B).
- Find the locator hole for the hinge (figure C) on the appropriate side of the door. Remove the screw for the locator hole, slide the hinge in place, and secure it to the door with screws.
- Set the door and hinge in position. Install two screws in the middle of the hinge frame to hold the door in place.
- Attach jamb screws at each of the hinges.
- Use a level to make sure the door is level and plumb. Check the fit of the door by opening and closing it. You may need to add some shims behind the hinge frame.
- Secure the drip cap (the protective top piece that prevents water from dripping into the frame) by screwing it to the jamb.
- Measure the latch side of the door. Cut the frame 1/8" smaller than the measurement, and attach it to the doorjamb.
- Remove the expander from the door, and slide the rubber sweeps into the channels in the bottom of the expander. Crimp the ends of the channels to hold the sweeps in place. Trim excess sweep material, allowing a 1/8" overhang on the sides.
- Reattach the expander, with the screw side facing in. Slide the expander to a position where the sweeps brush the threshold when the door is closed. Drill pilot holes in the center of the screw openings, and secure the expander with screws.
- Use the template provided with the door to mark the holes for your doorknob and lock, then drill the holes, using appropriate bits. Insert the interior and exterior door handles into the mounting holes, and secure them with screws (figure D).
- Mark the striker location on the doorjamb, based on the position of the latch on the door. Attach the striker plate to the doorjamb.
- Slide the stop washer onto the closer.
- Assemble the entire closer unit, with brackets on each end of the closer. Hold the closer level at the height recommended by the manufacturer, and mark the bracket location on the door and doorjamb (figure E). Secure the closer to the door and the doorjamb with screws.
- Attach the wind safety chain to the top of the door (figure F).
- Complete the project by installing the glass in the door.
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