Screen Door Repair

Screen door materials

There was a time not too long ago when choices on screen door materials were limited to just a few. Since then, that list has grown to over eleven, and it still continues to expand. So now, you have laid out before you an entire smorgasbord of screen door materials to accommodate most conceivable needs. Screens made of finely woven metals like stainless steel function well in terms of strength and durability, for instance.

They also work well to ward off birds and small animals that have shown an interest in using lighter materials like nylon as nest building material. Once they discover screens as a useful material, it's difficult to stop them. Then, copper screens lend an upscale look, even if they are among the more costly.

As for me, I prefer materials like nylon when I advise clients. I tell them to put needs and functionality first and use the savings for a better quality front or back door the screen door is going over. I have also developed a system for dealing with the large amount of choices in screen doors and materials they are made of. That system revolves around starting from the back and working forward.

Start by eliminating the screen materials and doors that you don't like to conglomerate and lessen the number of choices to select from. Then, after you have done that, shorten the list even more by pulling out the top three or four on the list. Then, with a smaller group to pick from, it's far easier to confidently end up with one to be your final choice. In the end, though, keep in mind that a screen door does have some level of function that has to be accommodated, so take a friend with you when you are browsing options, then sit on your final choice a few days to make sure it's final.

Also, before you follow any trends in home design and decoration, keep in mind that all trends change over time. So what's red hot today may not be so hot in as little time as a decade. The best place to see what's trendy today is to visit a model home in your area. The folks who build model homes for a subdivision have done their research to identify the very latest trends.

Screen mesh types

Along with expanded choices in screen door materials, mesh types have also grown to accommodate needs and uses. Beginning with steel security doors, what you are going to find there is a heavy-duty screen configuration that has been milled into the door itself. These types of doors with this heavy-duty mesh are meant primarily for buyers interested in adding another layer to their home or business security strategy.

A security expert in New Orleans I met after Hurricane Katrina once told me that the most effective security measures are loud and obnoxious. You want potential intruders to get the message that you mean business and have set aside aesthetics to make your home or business a hard target. But for those who understandably prioritize aesthetics, there are multitudes of choices to fulfill their needs. From my own experiences in the door repair business, I can testify that pet damage to screen doors cannot be understated. So now there are screen types that resist this type of dog and cat vandalism. Then there are mesh types that function well for sun lovers to block out the sun's heat while still allowing light to pass.

Mesh types are measured in terms of density from 4 per square inch to 16 per square inch. That is, the strands in the mesh are either a quarter inch apart or one sixteenth of an inch apart for a finer weave. Even so, you are free to choose anything that you think you need.

For instance, I recall a client who had me install chicken wire screens in their downstairs living room window. It was to block out cats that wanted to stay outdoors. There are off-the-shelf screen mesh types that would have worked just fine, but they were insistent that they wanted chicken cage wire.

Hardware store suppliers

Hardware store suppliers are a great place to shop for screen doors, and the top two are Lowe's and Home Depot. Even so, there are some specialty hardware stores still in business that can be of help, particularly as it pertains to hardware stores that specialize in specific areas such as plumbing, cabinets, or flooring.

Sometimes, because of the number of clients they deal with interested in specialized areas, they have a higher level of knowledge about screen doors than the employees roaming the aisles at your local big-box hardware store. What you can find at your local big-box hardware store suppliers is best described as popular choices; what most people tend to prefer. The nice thing about them too is that they are right there, ready to grab off the shelf.

No delays waiting for an order to arrive. Even so, this doesn't mean that a broad selection isn't available, because both hardware giants are well represented on the internet for online shopping. I always advise clients who are prioritizing security not to go with any of the lower-cost security doors. They might look good, but in reality, the cheapest of them all can be breached by simply reaching down to grab the bottom and bending it up.

It's my own personal opinion that a false sense of security is worse than no security, and the difference in cost between the lowest in price and midrange really isn't that much. Finally, the big benefit of the big-box hardware store suppliers is one-stop shopping. They allow you to get all you need in materials like paint, screws, and caulk in one stop.

Door installation services / screen door installation

Screen doors are deceptive in that they are more difficult to install than they appear to be. Also, they require more tools than most people realize, such as a level to ensure it's installed plumb and a rechargeable hand drill to drive screws in. Then another benefit of door installation services is speed and a guarantee of quality craftsmanship. That is, if there is something wrong with it, you can have them fix it. Then something to consider is that particularly for the novice DIY installer, it really is a two-person job.

One person needs to hold it steady in place while the second person takes measurements, runs the level, or drives screws. Also, to make matters worse, mounting screws on steel security doors, in particular, are designed to not be removable. So you don't get second chances with screws like this. Door installation experts are also loaded with knowledge and experience on all facets of the process.

So they can tell you, for instance, which mesh types age well and which don't. They can also advise you on what are the best pick-resistant deadbolt locks. I like to remind clients that "resistant" is a variable word. All locks, by virtue of the fact that they are locks, are by definition pick-resistant. However, some are better than others, and some are a lot better than the rest, and there are the select few like Bowley pick-proof locks that stand above all the rest.

Door installation services also pick up the door at the source then bring it to the job site. They also take any existing doors that are going to be removed. Then there is the issue of insurance in that some insurers stipulate that all work be done by a licensed professional in order for their policy to cover it.

DIY repair guides

Let there be no doubt about it, but in this age of the internet, there is a veritable litany of repair guides available to walk you through the installation and repair process on any number of areas and features in your home. Some are better than others in that, for instance, some make it all look too easy. Stuck, stripped-out screws, and problems with matching paint colors are omitted, so you are left to learn about them the hard way on your own.

I like to read through all of them. Yes, even after all these years in the business of home repair, I still like to see what others are up to and how well they document it in their DIY repair guides. Coincidentally, one thing they all leave out is just how messy doing DIY repair work can be. Paint and glues, for example, can be very difficult to remove once they have dried.

Then, just like dated vintage vehicles where spare parts have been discontinued, so too can things like tile and wood trim be sometimes impossible to match. But even with all the shortcomings that some DIY repair guides have, they can be a great source of information on critical areas like soldering and gluing pipes together. So, for instance, soldering together copper pipes is a relatively straightforward task if you just know a few things about it.

It's not rocket science. It's the same thing with home electronics. Plumbers and electricians don't work cheap, so it's nice to have DIY repair guides available to walk you through the process of tracking down and stopping a leak or switching out a fuse at the power box.

Warranty information

There is a lot that can go wrong with screen door installation. Remember that screen doors need to look good, function smoothly, and do both for an extended length of time. So it's important that things be done right the first time and promptly made right if they aren't. I'm always surprised to discover how few of my clients are aware that I'm required as a general contractor to warranty all the work I do for years.

Also, most top manufacturers warranty all the products they produce. Then if you buy your screen door or doors at a Home Depot or Lowe's, they too guarantee whatever they sell, and that includes doors. So what I have seen over the years I have been doing door repairs of all types is that existing damage and missing parts such as specialized installation screws make up the greater number of issues.

Doors get moved around a lot on their journey from the warehouse to shelving on the door aisle at your local big-box hardware store. So they do sustain occasional damage such as dings and dents. Then when customers who came before you lose parts, many simply return to the store and remove what they need from the box on another door on the shelf.

Then you come along to buy it and take it home minus that critical part. So I always examine any door carefully before I buy it. I also check to make sure that any seals on boxes holding parts haven't been breached. Then in the times I have encountered damage and missing parts, I simply return to the store and make an exchange. I have never encountered pushback doing this.

Pest Control Solutions

One of the biggest commonalities I've encountered over the years operating a home repair business involves pest control and the way people approach it. That is, the first place people turn to for solutions is pest control service providers. They want the problem fixed, and they want it done fast. What far too many fail to consider is the root cause of common pest control issues. Things that they could have done to prevent them in the first place.

The service providers aren't going to tell them anything about it because they want the return business. So instead, that end of the kit falls on people like me, folks who can speak openly without any vested interest either way. What I tell them is to be very careful about bringing used bedding into their home. This, it turns out, is a very common way that infestations take root. There are ways to treat used bedding before it comes into your home, and all the information is readily available online.

But bringing even a comforter you got at a yard sale straight into your home is highly ill-advised. Next, do what you can to locate and shut off sources of standing water around your home. Fix leaky faucets and holes in your gutters leading to drips. Also, make sure that landscape sprinklers aren't directed towards your home, particularly on or near doors. Termites need water to survive. That's why they don't do so well in dry areas such as desert regions.

Then finally, my last tidbit of advice here is if you are going to spread wood shavings around your yard as part of a landscaping groundcover scheme, then pay the extra money it takes to only use redwood shavings, not standard light wood shavings that have been dyed red or brown. Termites hate redwood shavings but love standard wood shavings. So spreading them around your yard is, in fact, spreading termite food. Just add water and they have all they need to start a colony.

Energy Efficiency Ratings

Take a look around, and it seems that everything that goes into windows and doors has an energy efficiency rating. A set of numbers you can follow to lead you down the path to direct savings. So then is one door better than another? Is it the same thing with windows? Aren't dual-pane windows enough? Starting with doors, the most amazing developments come in the form of dual-pane windows where the air on the inside has been replaced by argon gas. I tell my clients that they need to see them and put their hand in front of them on a warm sunny day.

It's astounding how these windows allow the light to pass through but hold back the heat from the sun's rays. So given the amount of square footage devoted to window space, this is one product that delivers energy efficiency savings where it's needed the most. Then I like to remind my clients that they can almost never have too much insulation blown into their attic.

As insulation upgrades go, the attic is easily the easiest to upgrade. Then they make it so easy to do it yourself because everything you need, including the blower, is readily available at your local big-box hardware store. Mandated codes call for an energy efficiency rating of R19 on a new home. But even if you have that, there is nothing stopping you from bumping yours up to R30 or even higher.

Then for clients that have open fireplaces, I always advise them to have an insert installed. Blocking off this open space with an insert can only boost a home's energy efficiency rating. Then finally, make a point of changing HVAC filters on a regular basis; particularly if you have dogs and or cats shedding hair in your home. It's so easy to do, and a clogged air filter will cause the system's energy efficiency rating to plummet.

Cost Comparison Tools

It really is difficult to point to one tool or one set of tools that you can use to compare costs when deciding to replace or repair as it pertains to door damage. The problem is that while there are for sure commonalities that are easily pointed to, there is also a myriad of differences that make comparisons difficult. I like to turn to online videos because there is just so much information in them, and the visual aspect is so important when doing home repairs of any type.

Then I also like to point out to clients that it's a fine line between old and vintage. Often an old and unsightly wooden door really just needs to be refinished to bring it back to its glory, particularly if a door is made from quality wood or has some dynamic feature such as stained glass. New doors can be surprisingly expensive if you are looking to reproduce an older vintage door and door frame. Then with energy costs on the rise and projected to only increase, energy efficiency ratings for sure need to be included in any cost comparison tools comparison.

Then if you plan on doing the work yourself, be it repair or replacement, there is the cost comparison tools that refers to the actual tools that you will need to do the job. I have a rechargeable all-inclusive tool kit I picked up at Home Depot. It has the drill, power screwdriver, sawsall, and all-purpose cutter. These tools are must-have items if you plan on ending up with professional results. Then as far as hand tools are concerned, I pick them up at a steep discount at the local flea market.

Home Aesthetic Trends

I like to refer any potential clients interested in decorating and home aesthetics to go online to watch old episodes of top TV shows from the 1960s. Shows that were primarily set in what was at that time a very fashionable home. The comparisons between then and now are laughable and work well to highlight how much trends in home aesthetics change and evolve as the years pass by. So based on my own observation, I remind them to not become fixated on any one item as they imagine what their dream home will contain.

The problem with doing so is that what's hot today may be over by the time they get around to building or remodeling their dream home. A great case in point is polished black granite countertops. When they first arrived on the scene, they were all the rage and quite costly to have installed. Over the last handful of decades, new types of polished stone countertops were developed and sent to market. So now here it is today where there are now over five thousand different types of polished stone countertops to choose from and to add insult to injury fake man-made black granite countertops are, in fact, more expensive than real black granite.

The reason is that it's virtually indistinguishable from real granite, and damage like chips can be polished out, and there are no visible seams where two pieces are joined. In my opinion, the best way to see the latest and least costly trends in home aesthetics is to visit a model home in a planned community project. That is where professionals who have done their homework have made the decisions on what is to be included and what is left out.

Common Questions

How can homeowners assess damage to screen doors?

When assessing damage to screen doors, homeowners should first determine the extent of the damage and how repairable it is. For standard light-framed window screens with only the screen torn or cut, leaving the frame untouched, it's usually a simple matter of removing the damaged screen and replacing it. However, this type of repair is typically a two-person job to ensure the screen is properly tightened.

Rust on the bottom end of security screen doors can often be removed with steel wool and then covered with matching Rust-Oleum spray paint. It's important to remember that for security doors, the primary consideration should always be security.

Even if damage affects the appearance, if it compromises the door's ability to function as a security door, it should be addressed promptly. Low-cost bargain screen doors may appear secure but can be easily damaged, so investing in a higher-quality door may be necessary for better security.

What routine maintenance can extend the life of a screen door?

Routine maintenance is essential for extending the service life of a screen door. For security screen doors, avoiding cleaning with a garden hose can prevent rust issues; instead, use a vacuum cleaner or air blower to remove dust and cobwebs. Retractable screen doors should be left retracted in the open position during winter months to reduce wear from frequent use.

Choosing a black or white security door or selecting a color from Rust-Oleum spray paints can ensure easy touch-ups for areas showing signs of wear or rust over time. Additionally, installing a pet door on a back door can prevent damage from pets scratching to get in, preserving the integrity of the screen door.

How do different mesh types and materials affect the decision to repair or replace?

It's a fact that screen doors are positioned on the front line of overall home protection, be it insects, small animals, or even unwanted human intruders. So it's little wonder that the number of calls my home repair business receives regarding screen door repair is pretty much a day-to-day basis. Then it turns out that it's the mesh that is the reason for the majority of these calls. Screen door mesh options have come a long way over the past handful of decades, and with all the different types, so too is a wide range of scenarios that factor into the decision to repair or replace.

By far the most common type of damage that prompts homeowners to replace is damage caused by an unauthorized intrusion. That is, someone bypasses their screen door to enter their home. In short, the decision to replace is twofold. It's the level of damage done to the screen and also the realization that they need a stronger door. All screen doors are not priced the same, and also, all security screen doors aren't manufactured the same. So the decision that is generally made after a break-in is to replace the door with a better quality, more secure door.

Then, over the years, I have found that the second most common type of damage to screen doors is pet damage caused by a dog trying to claw its way through. In this case, it's the mesh that has failed on a low-security screen door. In this case, the solution is simple, and that is to have the mesh replaced with a pet-resistant mesh that is now available. It also doesn't hurt to have a pet door installed in a home. Of course, there are other sources of damage to screen doors that I see, such as birds that have discovered that the nylon thread a screen is made out of makes great nest lining material, but the top two listed are by far the most common.

Also, the decision to repair or replace for many homeowners hinges on the level of damage. So, for instance, if the mesh has simply been pulled out of the edge channel and just needs to be tucked back in, that is usually a repair that a homeowner with some basic DIY skills can do themselves.

What are the advantages of pet-resistant or solar screen mesh?

Of all the choices in screen doors that are available now, I have found during the course of my business of repairing and replacing them that the two most popular are pet-resistant and solar screen doors. Now, these doors still perform basic functions like preventing insects from entering homes; in addition to that, they screen out the sun's rays and prevent pet damage. But it's not just that simple.

For instance, in a rental home, many landlords find that they can charge more rent for tenants who have pets and forgo the risk of damage by having a pet-resistant screen door installed. Then, for homeowners who keep a guard dog for home protection, a pet-resistant screen door provides assurance that their dog won't get out to present a risk to neighbors and their pets.

Then, when it comes to solar screen doors, the benefits are almost too many to document. Having the sun's rays shining through a window into a home can be a huge benefit if, in fact, they are wanted. So what works to warm a home on a cold day can damage furniture, carpeting, and wall art at the same time. So now there are retractable screen doors that allow more control and options with regards to solar screen doors.

With a retractable screen door, it's just so easy to open it to allow in the rays or close it to cut them off. So in the end, both of these types of screen doors work well to eliminate the unwanted downsides that come with them: pests without the risk and harnessing the sun's rays with far more control.

When should a homeowner opt for DIY repair vs calling in a professional?

I field calls every day from homeowners who are torn between calling me in to do the work of repairing their screen door or doing the work themselves. Hey, my operating costs are up and still growing so I sympathize with every one of them. So I'm happy to take a few minutes to give them a little advice over the phone because, after all, I really don't feel comfortable charging people for simple and easy work they could have done themselves.

The first thing I tell them is that when they call in a professional such as myself, they are guaranteed professional quality finished results. It may not matter in other areas of the home, but on, say, a front door, this is for sure something to consider. I also point out that if they don't have the tools such as rechargeable power tools and they are needed to do the work, this is another reason to call in a pro.

However, if the damage is minimal such as a surface issue, the materials to do the repair with nothing but sandpaper and matching paint, spackle are all available at their local hardware store. A great source of information for doing or not doing DIY repair jobs is online video venues, and there are a few good ones. There are so many how-to videos available now for free viewing that anyone can watch to not only see how to do a repair job but also watch to assess if it's within their scope of abilities.

Finally, I live to point out to callers that if it is their front door that is the source of the problem, that by calling in a professional like myself, they are assured that the door in most cases can be repaired and back in operation that very same day.

How does repairing or replacing a screen door impact the aesthetics or value of a home?

All you need to do is visit older areas of the country such as the French Quarter of New Orleans to see how far security screen doors have come in terms of aesthetics. Let there be no doubt about it, though these heavy wrought iron doors did a great job of keeping out intruders, they also had all the aesthetic benefit of a jail cell door.

So now here we are today, and I am continually impressed by how pleasing to look at so many of the screen doors are that I am called on to install. Not just the heavy security doors, but even new retractable, for example, screen doors are a joy to behold. They completely do away with the flimsy swinging screen doors with their unreliable auto-closing function of yesteryear.

So now if a screen door is more than a few decades old, the option of replacing it is in all likelihood financially feasible. There are just more choices now in better doors that kick up curb appeal while at the same time offering more reliability and ease of function. Neighborhoods change through gentrification, so a home that may not have called out for a heavy security screen door in years past may now be screaming for one.

People know that there is money to be made by buying a home in a neighborhood that is on its way back up, but along with the potential profit often comes security considerations. At the same time, new decorative advancements in security screen doors mean that there are now far better options to secure a home while at the same time kicking up curb appeal.

Are there specific trends or considerations homeowners should be aware of?

If I have discovered anything in the years I have been in the home repair and building business, it's that just like clothing, trends come and go as the years tick by. It runs the gamut, and it doesn't hurt to be aware of how these changes can affect you. So for instance, when selecting tile for a floor, bathroom, or kitchen, it's important to make sure that your builder or decorator leaves you a supply of spare replacement tiles.

The reason here is that ten years down the road, your tiles may not be available anymore, and if you need to replace cracked tiles, that can for sure be a problem. Then in terms of technological advancements, there are some new trends that are worth checking out. Dual-paned windows filled with argon gas are nothing short of amazing. These windows need to be experienced first hand. This is because they function to block out the sun's heat while allowing all of the sun's rays to pass through.

They do cost more, but for people building in a sunny climate, they can make a huge difference. New pick-resistant door locks that actually do what their manufacturers say they do are another welcome arrival. Bowley locks from Canada stand at the top of the heap as do some of the push-button keyless door locks. Then finally, new trends in flooring that use more durable and water-resistant materials like vinyl mean that the look of wood can now be brought into bathrooms and kitchens without having to watch it slowly decay.

Screen door maintenance tips

I regularly point out to clients as I go about doing repairs on homes and businesses that almost everything in a building has a service lifespan. Some are longer than others, and for some, it's changing trends in style that does them in, but for sure many of the main components starting with the roof are expected to fail eventually. So screen doors are no different in this respect, and in fact, given all that is expected of them, it's little wonder that for some, their service life ends too soon.

The good news is that there are things that can be done to ensure that a screen door looks great while delivering trouble-free service.

Tip #1 is to use pet-resistant screens if you have a pet, most particularly an active dog.

Tip #2 is to use a blower to keep your screen door free of debris. I use a small compressor with a blower tip to clear out debris that I encounter while working on homes, and I can't count how many clients have been impressed by how useful it is. Compressors are small and affordable now and have so many uses in and around a home.

Tip #3 is to never use oil to lubricate rollers or hinges on a screen door. Oil grabs onto and holds dirt, sand, grit. Pick up a can of spray silicone and use that instead.

Tip #4 is if you have a security screen door, make sure that any potted plants or irrigation sprinklers are not positioned so water gets on it when the plants are watered or the sprinklers come on.

Then as your security door ages and begins to show some rust on the bottom end, use steel wool to rub it off and common Rust-Oleum spray paint from your local hardware store to touch it up.

How do screen doors contribute to a home's energy efficiency?

With energy costs on the rise and expected to continue moving up, it just makes good sense to take into consideration how components like screen doors can help. So then, just how can something like a screen door work to help in this area? First of all, if you don't have a security screen door, then it would be unwise to leave your door open, particularly at night, to allow fresh cool air in on warm days and nights. However, with a sturdy properly installed security door in place, letting Mother Nature help with air conditioning is no problem.

Then there are a heck of a lot more options in screens to choose from now, including screen mesh that works well to block out the sun's harmful rays. Not only do these sun-blocking screens work to cool your home, but they also protect furniture and wall art from being damaged by exposure. Then retractable screen doors are so much more user-friendly than standard screen doors of the past.

They are also easier to install and less prone to malfunction. The upshot of this is that they can remain closed, allowing the door to be left open to allow ventilation, unlike standard screen doors of the past that all too often were propped open, requiring the door to be left closed. Because they are made of vinyl, they function so much better and are far more user-friendly.

To repair or replace a screen door: Environmental considerations

Thanks to the internet, more information about recycling is now available. So now with the click of a mouse, more people are shocked to discover that landfills are filling up and increasingly trash is being shipped off to third-world countries where people in less fortunate circumstances are left to deal with it. So now as more home and business owners look to upgrade, they are also looking to see that what they are buying is, in fact, fully recyclable. So older outdated aluminum screen doors are a breeze to replace.

They're aluminum, so they can be simply crinkled or cut up to fit into a standard recycling refuse bin to be picked up when it's trash day. Vinyl, on the other hand, is a bit more difficult. This is because vinyl can't be blended with other plastics. Rather, vinyl needs to be ground up to be blended with other ground-up vinyl recyclables to be used again in manufacturing. So while it is recyclable, you need to take it to a recycling center to do so.

Then as far as the mesh is concerned, there is also vinyl mesh available; the best choice would be copper mesh that can be tossed right into a home or business's recyclables bin to be picked up. So be it aluminum, copper, or vinyl, for environmentally conscious homeowners and business owners, there are options available that are both easy and cost-effective to implement.

There is a good handful of considerations when having a screen door installed, and warranties and manufacturer support are surely two of them. Can you count on a manufacturer or vendor to stand by their product if it breaks or malfunctions? Then what about spare and replacement parts if the time comes when you need them? The answer, it turns out, is that there is recourse in the way of warranties if a screen door you buy goes on the blink, but some manufacturers are better than others.

The best of them guarantee parts and product for up to 20 years. Then, as far as vendors are concerned, both popular big box hardware stores are great when it comes to defective or damaged products. Just make sure to keep your receipt.

As far as installation is concerned, if you use a licensed contractor to do the installation, the work done is also guaranteed for what is described as a reasonable amount of time. For screen doors, five to ten years would be considered reasonable, and this rule is enforced by the state contractors' license board.

So all in all, you are pretty much covered if you buy a product of a reputable manufacturer sold by a reputable vendor, then have it installed by a reputable service provider. Just make sure to keep all records and receipts. It's also worth mentioning here that screen mesh comes in varying levels of durability. So, for example, it's only reasonable to expect that something like copper or stainless steel mesh would have a longer service life than, say, vinyl.