How to Install a Storm Door in 8 Steps
This straightforward DIY will help you protect your home
- Tape measure
- Power drill
- Sawhorses
- Box cutter
- Level
- Storm door
- Storm door lock
- Storm door handle
- Storm door closer
- Latch rail
Installing a storm door at your home’s entryway can let the breeze in on sunny days and protect your beautiful front door from severe weather. Hanging a new storm door on your own may seem daunting, but today’s prehung designs make installing a storm door an easy afternoon DIY project. This guide lays out the simple steps for how to install a storm door so you can enjoy additional front door protection in no time.
Different types of doors, such as exterior, interior, fire-rated, and egress doors, have distinct code requirements. A professional door installer has the extensive knowledge to ensure your project is up to code.
Preparing to Install a Storm Door
Before learning how to install a storm door, you must decide the style you want, which way it will swing, and where you’ll place the handle. Look for a door with a solid inner core, low-maintenance finish, and seamless outer shell. You’ll find doors in various colors and styles, so choose one that complements your home’s exterior and adds curb appeal.
Locks and handles are often sold separately, so you’ll need to determine the “handedness” of your door. Face your home from outside. If your entry door handle is on the left, it’s left-handed. A handle on the right indicates a right-handed door. As a rule of thumb, position the storm door handle on the same side as the entry door handle. Storm doors almost always swing out.
How to Install a Storm Door
Once you decide on the style for your storm door and the side you want your lock and handle on, it’s time to start measuring and installing.
Measure for the Storm Door
You must accurately measure your door frame to ensure you buy the right size storm door. Using a tape measure, take two sets of three measurements:
Measure from the top of the frame to the threshold on the left and right and in the middle
Measure from left to right from the top, center, and bottom of the frame
Write down the smallest measurement from each set and purchase a storm door in that size. Home improvement centers sell prehung storm door kits in various standard sizes, typically between 30 and 36 inches wide. If your door frame is wider, consider ordering a custom door or an extender kit to fill the space between the storm door and frame.
Set a Placeholder Screw
Hold the hinge rail (a storm door part also known as the hinge-side z-bar) tight to the trim on whichever side you’ve chosen to place the door hinge. Drive a screw into the top hole of the rail, leaving a ⅛-inch gap between the head of the screw and the trim. Remove the hinge rail, leaving the screw in place.
Attach the Hinge Rail to the Storm Door
Prepare by laying your door on a stable surface or resting it on dual sawhorses. Start with your hinge rail against the opening on the door's hinge side. With your hacksaw, cut the hinge rail to match the height of the door's opening. Be sure to create a slight slope on the bottom that will accommodate the slope of your door sill. Finally, screw the hinge rail to the door.
Install the Door Sweep and Extender Rail Cap
Add the door sweep to the bottom of the storm door. Fit it to size by snipping any excess sweep. Weatherstripping should even cover the door sill's width. If extender rail caps are provided, remove them from the bag to note markings for "left" and "right." To place them on, use a "squeeze and shove" technique that allows them to fit over the bottom corners.
Hang the Storm Door
This step may be easier with a partner to help you lift the door. Hang the hinge rail onto the placeholder screw and tighten it to hold the door in place. Use a level to ensure the door is plumb and level, and adjust the screw if needed.
With the door level, drive screws along the inside of the hinge rail to fasten it to the frame. If you have a rail cap, slide it down to the door sill. Fasten the outside of the hinge rail to the door trim. Make sure the door can open and close freely, then measure and cut the handle-side z-bar the same way you cut the hinge rail. Fasten it to the other side of the door frame with screws.
Install the Rain Cap and Latch Rail
Also called the drip cap, the rain cap is a narrow rail that sits across the top of the door frame to stop rain from leaking between the storm door and entry door. Line it up to the edge of the door’s hinge rail, holding it tight to the trim. Attach it by drilling one or more screws through it. Install the latch rail tight along the edge of the drip cap and fasten it with screws as well.
Install the Lock Hardware
Some prehung storm doors come with handles and locksets, while others require separate hardware. Follow the instructions provided with your storm door to drill holes in the door for the latch. You may have a drilling guide, which you can snap to the outside of the door to show where holes should go.
Slide the lock body into the holes and fasten it with a screw. Place the face plates on either side of the door, push the handle rod through, and then secure both handles with additional screws. The latch and deadbolt should be able to extend into the latch opening. If not, use a chisel to open up enough space in the door trim.
Install the Door Closer
Photo: Jason / Adobe StockThe door closer adjusts the speed at which your door will swing shut. Install your storm door closer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll add one closer bracket to the hinge side door jamb and the other bracket to the door. Loosen or tighten the closer to adjust the door speed. If your model comes with a safety chain, mount it so the door can open a full 90 degrees.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you’re using a prehung, standard-sized door, you can easily complete a DIY storm door installation within a day. The cost of materials for this project can range from $250 to $1,000, and you’ll save anywhere from $75 to $400 per door on the cost of professional labor by doing it yourself.
In some cases, however, storm door installation can be more complex. If your door frame isn’t square or has other complications that require repair, consider hiring a local storm door installer to handle the job. Incorrect storm door installation can leave your home unprotected from weather damage, so it’s essential that it’s done correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
There's a long list of benefits of adding a storm door to your home, making the minimal cost, difficulty, and time commitment of installation well worth it. It protects your home from rain, wind, and show, improves your energy efficiency, allows you to save money on electric bills, offers great ventilation, and deters break-ins.
Storm doors are different from screen doors in a few ways. While screen doors are simple structures designed to keep out bugs and allow air circulation, storm doors are heavier and designed to protect your home’s entry door from weather and intruders. They are made of aluminum with tempered glass panels to allow natural light in the home.
While storm doors should be tightly fitted, an airtight seal can actually trap moisture in the space. This can lead to condensation and icing on your door. Ideally, you will have a tight seal that still allows for proper air circulation and ventilation.
This points to a climate difference between the inside of your home and the outdoors. While common during peak cold days, frequent icing inside your storm door points to excess moisture being trapped between your entry door and storm door. In most cases, this can be fixed by updating worn weatherstripping or addressing gaps that are allowing warm, humid air from your home to get into the space between the doors.
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