Hello guys welcome back to my little blog. Thank you again for your support which gives me strength and passion to continue. Hope you are all right in these troubled times and everyone is safe out there. So as of today we are going to get through some tips on how to install a storm door on a mobile home. Storm doors are really easy to install and will provide the right insulation you need in the cold and rainy season. It is actually one of the best investment you might do as there are some cheap choices and the result is always really nice (and it makes you feel more comfortable at home knowing that you have one more protection). I’ve installed mine just few days ago and it feels good to have one for the season to come (and for the next ones: storm doors are made to last). Remember to choose storm doors with good rates and good reviews: you can easily find them on some local stores or online, though I find myself much better at choosing my storm door in person as I can properly see it and decide which material is the best suited for my home. Ok no more chitchatting, let’s get into the business!
Step 1: How to choose the right storm door
The first step is to get the correct measures of length and width of the opening of your house. You do so by measuring the width from jamb to jamb, as the storm door should fit right into that space and make the entrance insulated. Remember the space needed for the hinges of the storm door, no space should be left between the door and the (wooden) jamb. Same thing goes for the length. Measure it from top to bottom.
Step 2: Installation, hinges
Next step, how to proper install the storm door. First of all see where the hinges are and check that you correctly measured the distances between the door and the jamb. Then set the hinges on the wooden jamb and mark the spots for the screws. If the jamb is made of metal just remember that you’ll need specific screws for that material, and another head for the drill. Start screwing the marker spots, then place the hinges one by one over the spots. After this, hold the hinges steadly and use the screwdriver to fix them to the wooden jamb. In this way you’ll have the hinges of the storm door fixed.
Step 3: Setting the door
Once you’ve fixed the hinges you just need to place the storm door at its place! First just double check that all mounting surfaces (including the siding seams) are securely fastened and flat around perimeter of door opening, we don’t want any flaws in the insulation! I say this because once I did not carefully check for possible flaws and then when it rained for two straight days I had my entrance completely flooded.
Second thing to do, apply a suitable tape (better if non-hardening) to the backside of the door’s mounting flange in order to properly seal the area.
After that, insert the storm door assembly carefully into the wooden jamb. Be sure the door sill is secure on the floor. Then completely move the storm door unit to the hinge side until it is firmly against the stud.
Proceed then to fasten the door. Drive the first 3 screws into the outer pre-punched flange in the middle at the hinge side. Then, I usually drive the next screws in the middle on the lock side. This will give more stability to the storm door and it will be easier for you to complete the work. After this point, secure the balance of the hinge side, across the sill, up the lock side and the header.
Be sure 2 long screws are installed through the storm door closer bracket fastened to the jamb. This is to anchor the bracket securely to the hinge side stud.
We are almost done with this, bare with me for just one final step. Before I forget, if the inner door is secured to the jamb with butt type hinges, run one long screw through each hinge on the jamb side to penetrate the stud.
Some doors will have an adjustable stop. Adjust the stop to the exterior of the inner door to be sure it is completely sealed.
Right so we are at the end of it! As you can see it is not more difficult than to fix a normal door. You just need few more steps to safely set the storm door at your entrance. Now you just need to choose the best storm door for you, be it plastic based or metal ones: the main difference is in the long term, as the first ones are cheaper but not so long lasting (sometimes they are easy to break), while the second ones are safer and long lasting, though they are a bit more expensive.
Hope you enjoyed this small guide and I hope to see you at the next one! If you have any question about the article or tips on how you would prefer the blog to be set just comment down below and I will try to get back to you as soon as I can, I really care for your opinion. Take care and be safe all of you out there. Cheers!
