Measure for a Security Screen Door
A security screen door is a type of storm door that can be installed on the exterior entrances of the home. These units are used in conjunction with traditional entrance doors to add extra security and protection. They may be built from steel or aluminum, and often feature glass panels in addition to screens. Security screen doors not only help protect the home, but are an effective way to let more light and natural air into your home.
1
Examine the exterior side of your entrance door. Most security screen doors are installed into an existing door frame. Rather than fit into the frame itself however, they are installed within the brick molding that surrounds the frame. This molding is often a bit wider than the frame itself, and extends a few inches past the front (exterior) portion of the frame. When measuring for your door, be careful to measure the brick molding and not the frame itself.
2
Use your tape measure to find the height of the brick molding. This measurement should include the distance from the ground to the bottom of the molding. Repeat this process so you have two separate measurements for the height, taken at either end of the opening. This way, if the opening is not square, you will be able to find a door that can accommodate the variations in the molding size.
3
Determine the width of the opening at three separate points. Measure the the top, bottom and center of the opening so you have three measurements for the width. Because walls are often not built perfectly square, the frame will likely have different measurements at various points along the height of the opening.
4
Evaluate the measurements you took in Steps 2 and 3. If the frame is not perfectly square, you will have several different sizes for height and width. When choosing your door, use the smallest measurement you found for the width and the smallest dimension you found for the height. With security doors, it is often difficult or impossible to cut the door to fit the opening. It is usually easier to adjust a smaller door to fit in a slightly over-sized opening.
5
Purchase your door. Most manufacturers provide doors that will fit a small range of frame sizes. Find the range that matches the measurements for your frame to help you choose the right unit.
6
Use a Z-bar extender to fit standard security doors into a very large opening. Most storm doors come in a standard range of sizes and may not fit into larger frames. If this is the case, find a door that is an appropriate height for your frame, then add a Z-bar extender to fill in additional space along the width. The Z-bar is installed between the molding and the door hinges. This device can be found at most hardware and home improvement stores.
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