Q--The aluminum storm door at our front entrance sags to the point where it won`t close properly. Is there anything I can do about this short of purchasing a new door?A--In most cases, a metal storm door that sags can be restored to square condition. Start by checking both the door and its metal frame with a carpenter`s square or try square to make sure it is the door and not the frame that is out of shape.If the door is out of square, prop it partly open and look for pairs of screws at the edge of each corner and sometimes in the middle of the door`s side rails. Loosen each of the screws slightly. Have someone hold the door in a square position, using the try square to check, and tighten all of the edge screws. Again check the door to see if it holds the square shape and closes properly.If the door`s metal frame is out of square, loosen the screws holding the frame in the door opening, shift the frame until it is square; If a storm door still sags after you have tightened all the screws, it can usually be pulled into shape with a special door brace sold at some hardware stores and home centers.

The brace is a long rod with a turnbuckle in the middle.The brace is installed diagonally at the bottom of the door, generally on the outside. The ends of the brace are screwed in place and the turnbuckle turned until the door is pulled into a square shape.Many storm doors also have pneumatic closers that sometimes need adjustment to ensure the door is closed completely and quickly. Turning an adjustment screw in the end of the pneumatic tube will increase or decrease the closing speed.Storm doors should also be checked occasionally to make sure a good seal is achieved when the door is closed. Cracks or gaps between the storm door and its frame can often be closed with weatherstripping. The bottom rails of many storm doors can also be adjusted up or down to improve the seal.Broken or loose door latches are a common problem with metal storm doors. Loose latches can usually be tightened by adjusting the strike plate on the door frame. Replacement latches are also available at many hardware stores and home centers.

Q--I have a cottage with some unfinished wood paneling that has darkened over the years to a very dark shade. glass shower door popping noiseI`d like to lighten the wood and have tried bleaching, but that proved to be an impossible task. car window repair mauiI don`t want to paint the wood. shower door glass tracy caA--You might try a technique called pickling to lighten the paneling. fingerprint door lock hotelI suggest experimenting in an inconspicuous area, such as a spot normally concealed by furniture, to see if you like the effect.Here are the basic steps for pickling, which is closer to staining than painting even though paint is used:Brush on a coat of white paint, either latex or alkyd-based, that is thinned by about one-third of its volume.

After several minutes, wipe off the paint with lint-free rags. The wiping will remove most of the paint, but leave a very thin film on the surface and a thicker film in the grain and pores. Experimenting with various drying times will give different effects.After the paint is wiped, let it dry completely and sand with fine sandpaper in a finishing sander. This will further thin the surface film and enhance the grain pattern.Finally, give the paneling a coat of satin varnish to protect the pickled finish. Therapists see no developmental benefits from seats`Jop' would be a 4-ever pick for the BullsDark meaning of bubble-gum Pumped Up Kicks is tough to chew Barkley Fined, Suspended For Spitting IncidentToo cold for car wash? Motormouth answers your questionsDouble Murder: A Family Affair?New storm doors are easier to install, with plenty of standard sizes to fit almost any entryway—but there are still tricky spots. Follow a pro through the installation process and learn the tricks and techniques that the instruction manual doesn't cover.

New storm doors are easier to install, with plenty of standard sizes to fit almost any entryway—but there are still tricky spots. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine You no longer have to put up with a rusty old storm door that bangs shut every time the kids go out. storm doors are stronger, smoother and a heck of a lot more handsome than the doors we grewIn fact, installing a new one is one of the least expensive ways to dress up an entry. Replacing an old one is easier than youManufacturers have made installation more DIY friendly by providing standard sizes that'll fit almost any door opening and simpler installation kits. directions walk you through some tricks and techniques you won't find in any instruction If you have a hacksaw, screw gun, a short level and a pair of side cutters and two to three hours, you're on your way to saving the cost of a professional installation. Replacing an old storm door or installing a

new one is a perfect Saturday morning project, even if you have limited carpentry skills. Step 2: Selecting the door To find the size of the storm door you need, simply measure the height and width of the main door. doors are 36 in. wide and require a For this article, we one we show has The other common type, a “ventilating” storm door, has glass panels that slide open or closed over the screen, much like Nearly every storm door sold isThat is, you can install it with the hinge on either side. directions tell you how to do it. When you buy it, you don't have to specify which way the door must swing. to the exterior door screwed to the door (ours was), or you may have to mount it once you determine the door swing direction. doors, you'll also have to drill holes for Step 3: Getting started Begin the project by folding open the box and removing the glass storm panel.

Set it and the screen panel in a safe place out of the wind. Then check for damaged or missing parts by comparing the contents with the parts list in the returned, repackaged and sold as new. One of the parts had already been cut to length and the mounting screws wereUse the cardboard as a work surface to prevent scratching the parts while you work on the door. Your door may come with a protectiveOnly peel off those areas needed for installing hardware during way the door will be protected from complete, peel away the plastic. Determine the door swing. general, hinge the storm door on the same side as the main door. If there's an adjoining wall or rail, it's best to have the door against any light fixtures? switch wind up on the latch side whereIf there's a strong prevailing wind, it's best to have the door hinge side face the wind direction. gusts can't fling it open and break it.

Why a storm door? A traditional storm door was a handsome but vulnerable wooden main door from harsh weather and helped to insulate it. Today's better insulated and protected main doors have little need for a storm door and are often eliminated from new homes, showing off fancy front storm door (like the one we're installing here) still showcases the main door and, when screened, allows you to take advantage of those cooling Step 4: Out with the old storm door Taking off an old aluminum door is usually just a case of unscrewing the mounting screws on the door, closer and safetyBut sometimes there's caulkYou can usually cut through the caulk with a utility knife. But worse yet, you could find old caulk between the frame and the door casing. If so, you'll have to pry the frame away with an old chisel and scrape the trimA heat gun may help soften the caulk. Get rid of an old door by

throwing the glass panel in the trash, and then cut up the aluminum frame and door with a circular saw and a carbide-tippedToss the pieces into the Wooden storm doors generally have hinges that are mortised (notched into the wood) and screwed to the door casing. Don't worry about the hinge or latchWhen you install your new storm door, they'll be hidden behind the Step 5: Prep the opening Storm doors hang from the door trim, technically called “exterior casing.” door has never had a storm door (as in our situation), you may have to extend the trim between the door and a sidelightThis is the most difficult situation you're likely to encounter. have to rip a new trim piece to match the thickness of the other trim (usually 1-1/8 paint, do it now. It's a pain in the Manufacturers make storm doors a bit narrower than standard openings to make sure they'll fit. If your opening is

typical, you'll have to “fur out” the sides to center the storm door in the opening. You'll nearly always need to install at least one 1/4-in. furring strip (screen molding usually works fine) on the hinge side (Photo 6) and possibly even have to add another one to the latch sideTo figure this out, measure the exact width of the opening, that is, the distance between the inside edges of the(Measure at the middle, top and will usually list the minimum widthSubtract that width from your measurement and make the furring strip thickness along the hinge side about half Step 6: Install the door It's important to mount the door tightly to the hinge-side trim. latch side to make sure it snugs up tight Follow the photos with your instructions for the rest of the installation steps. Door latch and Z-bar systems vary. Cutting the latch-side Z-bar is a bit fussy. The idea is to center it on the latch and

Observe where it strikes the sill and cut the bottom at an angle thatThen cut the top so it fits against the top Z-bar. Don't worry if the latch and lock bolt end up a bit off-center, as long as they work smoothly. You may need to chisel out the latch or deadbolt pocket as we show (Photo 11). It all depends on the door latch style. After installing the door sweep and closers, adjust the closer tension. with the window panel rather than theThe closers should be set with the door at its heaviest. want to reset a gentler setting for the Finally, it's a good idea to save the boxes for the window and screen panelUnder a bed is a great safe storage location. Dealing With Warped Doors Storm doors often appear to be warped because they don't rest evenly against the weatherstripping However, it's usually the entry door trim that's a bit out ofSmall gaps may disappear when you install the door