Every day I run into people that have a simple problem with their storm door that is causing a lot of frustration. If you are one of those people struggling with how to fix your storm door, or don’t know why it is doing what it is doing, then this page is for you. Here I address some of the common problems people experience with their doors and simple solutions to fix them. And if it’s not really a problem, I’ll tell you that too. My storm door won’t close and latch on it’s own with the entry door closed. This is one of a storm door’s most common problems. I can’t tell you have many people have argued with me about doors closing and latching on their own when the primary (or entry) door is closed before the storm door closes. From an attorney threatening to sue, builders and general contractors asking me if I’ve ever installed a storm door, to a scientist who actually installed 6 (yes, 6!) door closer pistons on his door in an effort to get the storm door to close and latch on it’s own, this problem drives type A personalities insane.
But it’s really not a problem at all … in fact it’s simple physics. Here’s how the problem starts. You leave through the front door and pull it shut behind you. You hold the storm door open; maybe with your foot or back while you lock the entry door. When done, you get out of the way and let the storm door close on it’s own. But it when it closes, it doesn’t latch. It’s stays open slightly. Now the Type A personality spends the next 4 days adjusting the speed of the door closer(s), trying to find the scientifically accurate balance to make the door close and latch on it’s own. If this is you … stop. You’re going to give yourself a heart attack or a stroke. There are bigger things to worry about in life. Here’s whats going on. Assuming you have an all glass door (or the screen is not down), as the storm door closes it begins to build pressure between the glass and the entry door. Normally, a storm door will close about halfway, the closers (or pistons) then kick in and slow the door down a bit, and then it closes the rest of the way.
But it won’t latch at the end. As the storm door is closing, it forces the air that’s trapped between the two doors out. But there comes a point when the air can’t escape fast enough, so it builds up pressure and pushes back on the storm door and the glass, and that pressure build up forces the storm door to stay open. In the end, the air pressure wins and the storm door remains unlocked. That’s why a storm door won’t latch if the entry door is closed first, and the reason you have to push it shut in order to get it to latch. Want to fix that? Well, you have 3 options (ranked in order from hardest to easiest):Sounds absurd, but in my experience people have demanded it. Put a screen in the storm door or open the window. This will break the pressure seal and allow the door to close and latch on its own. How much you have to leave the window open depends on the storm door, layout of your house, wind direction, how plumb and level your entry door is, what day of the week it is, what season, and a myriad of other factors you don’t control.
Just remember to push the storm door shut when you leave. If that’s the biggest problem you have to deal with every day, you’re doing great!Cost to Install a Storm DoorUpdated: January 2017 Storm Door Installation Cost CalculatorZip Code Doors Storm Door Cost1 door$240.50$367.35 Storm Door Labor, Basic1 door$240.50$367.35 Storm Door Job Supplies1 door$240.50$367.35 Option: Frame Interior Door Opening1 door$240.50$367.35 Totals - Cost To Install Storm Door Average Cost per Door Get an INSTANT, detailed estimate of the cost to Install a Storm Door! Our free calculator uses up-to-date, trusted data to estimate typical subcontractor costs for a Storm Door Installation project. For a basic 1 door project in zip code 47474, the benchmark cost to Install a Storm Door ranges between $413 - $637 per door. To estimate costs for your project:1. Set Project Zip Code Enter the Zip Code for the location where labor is hired and materials purchased.2.
Specify Project Size Enter the number of "doors" required for the project.3. Re-calculate Click the "Update" button. Do you need professional help for your project? The FREE homewyse hiring guide helps you find and hire great help, get quality craftsmanship and create a fair contract. Cost to Install a Storm Door - Notes and General Information These estimates are for BASIC work performed in serviceable conditions by qualified trade professionals using MID GRADE materials. Work not mentioned on this page and/or work using master craftsman, premium materials and project supervision will result in HIGHER COSTS! Explore the full range of storm door new installation labor options and material prices here.These estimates are NOT substitutes for written quotes from trade professionals. Homewyse strongly recommends that you contact reputable professionals for accurate assessments of work required and costs for your project - before making any decisions or commitments. The cost estimate includes:
Costs for local material / equipment delivery to and service provider transportation to and from the job site. Costs to prepare the worksite for Storm Door Installation, including costs to protect existing structure(s), finishes, materials and components. Costs for job cleanup and debris removal at project completion. Labor setup time, mobilization time and minimum hourly charges that are commonly included for small Storm Door Installation jobs. The cost estimate does NOT include:Costs for removing, relocating, repairing, or modifying existing framing, surfacing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems - or bringing those systems into compliance with current building codes.Costs for testing and remediation of hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, etc). General contractor overhead and markup for organizing and supervising the Storm Door Installation. Add 15% to 23% to the total cost above if a general contractor will supervise this project. Sales tax on materials and supplies.
Permit or inspection fees (or portion thereof) required by your local building department for your overall project. Cost to Install a Storm Door - References Unit Pricing Data: Lowes Windows and Doors Lowes , Jan 2017, Website Unit Pricing Data: Home Depot Window and Door Home Depot, Jan 2017, Website Unit Pricing Data: Menards Door and Window Menards, Jan 2017, Website Unit Pricing Data: Brosco Price Catalog - Windows, Doors and Millwork Brosco, Jan 2017, Website Unit Pricing Data: Doors, Windows and Millwork Pricing McCoys, Jan 2017, Website The HUD PATH Rehab Guide Volume 4: Windows and Doors U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Policy Development and Research, Mar 2011, Editorial Staff How to Estimate the Cost of Doors, Windows and Hardware American Society of Professional Estimators, Oct 2011, Gary Terrell, CPI Windows United States Department of Energy, Dec 2009, Editorial Staff Exterior Doors United States Department of Energy, Dec 2009, Editorial Staff