How to Fix a Sagging Screen Door in 5 Steps

Get a sagging screen door hanging straight in no time

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Get quotes from door pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Scott Dylan Westerlund
Written by Scott Dylan Westerlund
Contributing Writer
Updated Apr 6, 2026
SKILL LEVEL
Simple
COMPLETION TIME
1 hour
COST
$0–$30
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Turnbuckle
  • Pliers
SUPPLIES
  • Tape measure
  • Screws

Screen doors protect our homes from bugs and weather, so a sagging screen door shouldn't be ignored. While a sagging screen door seems like a major cause for concern, it can be a relatively easy fix. Follow these simple steps to learn how to fix a sagging screen door.

  1. Select the Right Turnbuckle

    Screen door supplies and tools on the floor
    Photo: Ozgur Coskun / Adobe Stock

    First, measure your screen door to select an appropriate turnbuckle. Turnbuckles are available in a 42-inch size for doors less than 36 inches wide and a 50-inch size for doors wider than 36 inches. A turnbuckle is a simple piece of rigging hardware you can use to adjust your door's tension. Each turnbuckle consists of a threaded body with two end fittings.

  2. Assemble the Turnbuckle

    To assemble your turnbuckle, thread the rods into each end of your coupling nut. You'll feel the nut tighten or loosen both ends simultaneously with your movement. It's ideal to leave threads showing to allow room for more tightening as you fix a sagging screen door.

  3. Get the Turnbuckle in Place

    To get the turnbuckle into position, place it 2 inches above the bottom corner of the door on whichever side your handle is placed. Next, hold the turnbuckle against the hinge side of your door at a slight upward slant. The turnbuckle should be as flush against the door as possible to prevent interference with opening and closing the door. Once you're confident about its placement, mark screw holes in the door.

  4. Create Pilot Holes

    Use the spots you marked in step 3 to drill holes. Next, install your turnbuckle using screws and appropriately sized drill bits. Once the turnbuckle is in place, tighten the screws to make sure the turnbuckle is securely in place.

  5. Do the Final Tightening

    It's now time to turn the turnbuckle's coupling nut. This will accomplish the goal of tightening the rod so that you'll see the sagging portion of your screen door become taut. To do this, adjust the turnbuckle until you know the door becomes level. You may meet resistance from the coupling nut. In this case, pliers are used to manage the final turns. You should now be looking at a sag-free door!

Read more

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Learning how to fix a sagging aluminum screen door is reasonable for most homeowners. With this job requiring tools most of us have in our garages already, the cost of how to fix a sagging screen door is often negligible. Whether you have questions about why your screen door is sagging or you prefer to get the repair done by a professional, this is a fairly easy and inexpensive task when you hire a local screen door contractor near you. If your door has extensive wear and tear, a quote for the cost of a new screen door from a pro will range between $100 and $1,500 on average.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your hinges are rusted, a lack of support may be why your screen door is sagging. A misaligned latch and striker may cause a slight sag. For an easy way to make the screen door more secure, purchase replacement hinges if you see noticeable rust or deterioration. To replace hinges, unscrew each leaf on your existing hinges, swap in your new hinges, and tightly screw the new hinges into place.

While the telltale signs can vary for different types of screen doors, it may be time to learn how to install a screen door if you're noticing rotting, warping, or splintering accompanying the sagging. If you’re unsure whether to replace a sagging screen door, consult a local screen door pro for an inspection and final decision.

Door services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH

4.8★ avg. • 25 total reviews
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    Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...

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    Company came to look at my garage door that was off track. They also said I needed a brace on the other garage door. They put the door back on track, and I paid to install the brace. The technician told me I needed a new garage door opener, and it would cost $1000. Red flags went off in...

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    5.0
    01/2023

    Excellent customer service and knowledge. I was recommend to him from my neighbour. My front door and window came in great and were installed beautifully perfectly, I m very satisfied with their excellent work, so decided to order one more big bow window for my living room. I cant wait for...

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    Called ahead and worked quickly to install keyless locks on vintage wooden doors.

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    3.0
    08/2021

    Scott did not get appropriate access to the property prior to the scheduled inspection which required us to come back later in the day to complete it. He also, unprofessionally, knocked on a neighbor?s door in his attempts to reach someone with access. His overall report was fine though the...

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  • Gary K.
    5.0
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    Door Depot was very responsive - they came out the day after my call to assess my needs, then returned at my convenience to complete the work. They arrived early, and the work was completed in a shorter period of time than estimated. Very pleased with the results. I would definitely use them...

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    Replace garage doors: Fast response, competitive estimate, timely work done well.

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  • Dana M.
    5.0
    09/2016

    Jeremiah did an awesome job cleaning 28 windows inside and out! He was fast, efficient and now I have a beautiful view again. This was a Groupon for $139 for 20 windows, but I had 28 windows/doors cleaned, so there was an extra $6 per window. Totally worth it.

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Learn more about our contributor
Scott Dylan Westerlund
Written by Scott Dylan Westerlund
Contributing Writer
Scott Dylan Westerlund has been writing about homes and real estate for almost ten years. In addition to Angi and HomeAdvisor, he's written for Today's Homeowner, Homedit.com, Flyhomes, and HomeLight.

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