I’m the Storm Door Guy and for the last 12 years I have been installing storm, security, and screen doors day in and day out. It’s what I do, what I know, and what I love. Some people think it’s weird, but thousands of customers have told me I am really good at it! With over 14,000 installations under my belt, I have either seen, caused, or fixed almost everything that can go wrong with them. I have put this website together in hopes of giving you all the information you need about them. From choosing the right one for your particular application, to properly measuring, installing, and sometimes fixing them. I’ve got owners manuals, installation instructions, how-to videos, and more. So where do you begin when looking for a door. Well, first ask yourself, “What do I want it to do?” Do you want security? Next, consider the price, material, size, hinging, and style. Storm door prices range between $100-$300 for standard sizes, and $300-$500 for custom door sizes.
Door installation costs range anywhere from $98 for a basic, single door install to over $300 for a french door installation. Screen doors are made from either metal, wood, vinyl/plastic, or some combination thereof. The cheaper ones use vinyl/plastic and may or may not have a wood core for added rigidity and insulation. The more expensive doors are made from extruded aluminum (“extruded” just means “shaped and hollow“). Standard widths are 30 inches, 32 inches, and 36 inches. Standard heights range from 80-81 inches and 96 inches (for 8′ feet tall custom doors). Look for other problem areas like is a porch light in the way? If so, simply go to your local hardware store or visit Kichler Lighting online and replace it. One of the most important questions to think about is, “Which way will it open?” If you are ordering from a retailer make sure that the salesperson is crystal clear on this. After all, in the world of doors, handing is everything. Now we get to some industry jargon.
They come in 4 different styles: Mid-View, Full-View, Ventilating, and Security. Find out which type will best fit your needs. 657 posts, read 3,270,884 times 8,293 posts, read 19,824,759 times Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks Yeah, I guess I'll have to go by price. I just want to make sure that the door is good quality and will last a long time. Thanks for the tip about the coupon. I didn't know that. 10,425 posts, read 39,362,072 times Originally Posted by ira There are several factors to consider, in addition to price. On the house we live in, I installed a full-glass storm door. It's an old brick house, and we wanted to show off the big oak entry door a bit. But note that our kids are all grown & gone, so though that is our primary-use door, it does not get abused. On a rental house, however, I recently installed a much heavier-duty storm door. In my opinion, it does not look nearly as nice. But it's going to take some abuse. So pick the style & look you want.
Talk to the salesman at the store. Some of them are very knowledgeable. You'll also be able to tell a lot about the doors just be the feel. You can go anywhere in price from about $79 on up to close to $500. 313 posts, read 1,204,960 times Originally Posted by LAB6120 I've installed a lot of them. Some are much easier than others, just by the way they're built. It also has a lot to do with the frame you're installing it in to. If you've got a level, a hack saw, a good cordless VSR drill with bits & drivers, you really should be fine. Read the directions carefully, and also use some good common sense. I have little kids so doors will be used & abused all the time :-) I actually need two doors - one for the front door and one for the back. So, I was thinking full-glass door for the front, which will not be used a lot and dual (glass on the bottom/screen on the top) for the one that will be used all the time. I think you're on the right track. Just have plenty of Windex on hand for that front door!
Regarding the back door, you can get models where the glass opens from the top, and the screen retracts from the top as you lower the glass. Keeps little kids' fingers from going through the screen. It's a nice option, not horribly expensive, and one that worked well for us at one time. Windex is my best friend these days lol Install a Storm Door Find out how much your project will cost Browse All Project Categories On This Page:Storm Door PricesInstallation Considerations & CostsDIY Install?As their name implies, storm doors protect the main entry door to your home or business from the elements, serving as a barrier against damage from wind, rain, sleet, and more. Originally an essential addition to homes that featured all-wood entry doors, the change of materials used in the construction of exterior doors has made the protective utility of storm doors less important. Instead, they serve other functional purposes, such as providing an extra layer of security from intruders or facilitating temperature management and energy efficiency through insulation and airflow regulation.
However, like any functional element of your home, a storm door is also an important aesthetic element of an entryway, capable of adding subtle style that makes a positive first impression. From single-panel steel doors to doors with decorative glass and retractable screens, there is a variety of styles available. These options allow homeowners to balance the need for curb appeal with the incredibly important protective functions, adding to the value of their homes.Storm Door PricesThere is no one-size-fits-all type of storm door. Most measure between 32 and 36 inches wide by 80 or 81 inches high to fit in standard exterior door openings. However, as with many aspects of home improvement, homeowners have a variety of options when it comes to storm door styles and features, which are what directly impact pricing. On the low end, basic-latch 4-inch-wide aluminum doors are priced around $100. mon Types of Storm DoorsPopular manufacturers include Andersen, LARSON, Pella, CR Laurence, EMCO, and Croft.
Each offers a selection of doors with different styles, colors, and construction, including the five major types of storm doors:Full View: Smooth all-glass panel, allows the entire entry door to show through. May or may not be divided.Low-E Full View: All-glass pane constructed of enhanced glass, which provides stronger insulation and prevents fading. Beveled Glass: All-glass panel with decorative edging along the circumference of the glass. Midview: Divided panel that covers most of the door surface, with the exception of a 12-inch to 18-inch panel at the bottom of the door. This panel may be enhanced with a pet door.High View: Single-panel door with glass only at the top. The bottom may be enhanced with a pet door.Price-wise, high and midview doors tend to be on the lower end, ranging from $100-$200. For example, a two-panel, latch-entry midview door with a self-storing screen can cost as little as $99 from a home improvement store. Full view doors, on the other hand, are more expensive, with Low-E and beveled glass features increasing the prices accordingly.
A single-panel, full view beveled glass door with an interchangeable screen, for example, costs around $350.Return to Top Installation Considerations & CostsProfessional storm door installation generally takes between one and three hours depending on the current setup of the exterior door frame. Replacing an old or damaged door on a solid frame with a new one of the same size is a simple and straightforward job that can cost as little as $75. On the other hand, hanging a new storm door, repairing a door frame, adding custom woodwork, or altering the frame setup to accommodate the new door adds to the time this project takes. Depending on the complexity of the repairs needed, a more involved installation can take between half to a full day of work and cost $200-$400 or more, excluding the cost of the door itself.Return to Top DIY Install?In the case of a simple swap or when using a pre-hung, standard-size door, opting to install a storm door yourself is an easy home improvement project for a beginning DIYer.
This project should take no more than a day and can even take as little as an hour or two, depending on the existing structure of the door. In addition to the cost of the door itself and its associated hardware, you need tools, including a drill and screwdrivers, as well as some additional materials, such as weather-stripping, shims, and paint, for the trim around the door. These additional materials generally cost less than $100 total.The most important tip to keep in mind when hanging a storm door, or any door for that matter, is the importance of the door size and fit. The door you buy must conform exactly to the height and width of the door frame currently in place, or else the job gets much more complex. In the case of a wide opening, it is easier to compensate, however, because many storm door types can be sized up through the use of a Z-bar or weather-stripping, which is a less expensive option than having a door made in a custom size. Help us improve this article Was this page helpful?