Wood door guide
How to Install a Wood Screen Door or Storm Door
A custom wood screen or storm door arrives as a raw, unfinished slab built to your opening. Hanging it well comes down to three things: seal the wood before it sees weather, set the hinges so the door swings square, and add a closer and latch that hold it without racking the frame.
Step by step
- 1
Inspect the delivery
Check the crate with the driver present and note any damage on the delivery paperwork with photos before signing. Confirm the door, any glass or screen inserts, and the lite style match your order.
- 2
Confirm the handing
Stand outside facing the entry. Hinges on the left make a left-hand door; hinges on the right make a right-hand door. Check that the swing clears railings, lights and the entry door handle.
- 3
Test-fit the slab
Set the door in the opening on shims to check the reveal at the head and both jambs. Older openings are rarely square, so mark any light planing needed now, before finishing.
- 4
Finish every surface first
Prime and paint or stain all faces, edges, and the top and bottom end grain. Sealing the bottom edge matters most, because that is where moisture gets in. Let the finish cure before hanging.
- 5
Lay out and set the hinges
Use three exterior-rated hinges for a full-height door. Mortise them flush into the door edge and the jamb, starting with the top hinge, so the door hangs plumb with an even gap.
- 6
Add the closer, latch and pull
Fit a door closer or screen door spring so the door shuts without slamming, then install the latch and pull. Keep the storm door hardware clear of the entry door knob or lever.
- 7
Adjust and check the swing
Open and close the door several times. It should latch without force and stay square. Tighten hinge screws into solid framing if it begins to sag.
Swapping glass and screen inserts
Doors with interchangeable inserts or a storm insert switch between glass and screen with the seasons. Lift the insert out from inside, store it flat and protected, and fit the other insert before the weather turns. Self-storing doors adjust in place by sliding the glass panel in its track.
Protecting your entry door
A glazed storm door in front of a dark entry door can trap heat on sunny days. If your entry faces direct afternoon sun, choose a screen or interchangeable-insert door and switch to screen in summer, or ask your entry door maker about storm door use.
Frequently asked questions
Do wood screen doors come with hardware?
Hinges, closers and latches are confirmed with your written quote. Many owners choose period-style hardware to match the house.
Will a wood screen door warp?
A well-sealed door hung plumb on three hinges resists warping. Seal all six sides, including the end grain, and keep the finish maintained.
Is the door pre-hung?
Wood storm and screen doors ship as slabs built to your opening, ready for your hinges and hardware.
Can I paint or stain it?
Yes. Doors ship raw and unfinished, so you can prime and paint or stain them to match your entry.
Wood doors covered by this guide
Ready to size your door?
Send your opening measurements, lite style and hinge side for a written quote including delivery.