How to Insert a Screen Door in or Remove It from the Track

A screen door track can often be the source of frustration when trying to insert or remove the door. However, if you know the proper sequence of pushes and pulls needed, inserting or removing the door from the track is actually pretty easy. Therefore, here is a simple step-by-step guide that will walk you through the ins and outs of working with a screen door on its track.

Remove Slider Door Retaining Screw

Use a screwdriver to remove the retaining screw at the bottom of the sliding screen door. On most doors, this screw is located in the track itself and is positioned where the door cannot be removed without first removing the screw.

Open the Door Half-Way

Slide the screen door so that it is open about halfway.

Grip the Door and Lift

Grip the sliding screen door on both sides and then lift the door so that the bottom of the door comes out of the bottom slider track. Be careful when doing this as some screen doors have fairly sharp edges.

Tilt the Door Inward

Tilt the screen door back towards you as you lift it.

Remove the Screen Door

After you've tilted the screen door out at an angle of about 20 to 30 degrees, you should be able to simply pull the top of the door out of the upper track.

Remove Retaining Screw

If the retaining screw has not already been removed, use a screwdriver to remove it from the door track.

Place the Door at Proper Location

Place the sliding screen door next to the tracks so that it is in a position that would make it about halfway open.

Tilt Door Inward and Lift

Tilt the bottom of the sliding screen door out as you push the upper edge of the screen door into the upper track.

Align Bottom of Door

After the top part of the sliding screen door is in the upper track, push the bottom of the door until it is positioned directly over the open bottom track.

Lower Door into the track

Gently lower the sliding screen door into the lower door track while making sure the top part of the door remains in the upper door track. Once the door is installed, slide the sliding screen door back and forth to make sure that it opens and closes properly. If the sliding screen door seems to be stuck, simply remove the door and try installing again.

Tip: If the door seems stuck after two or three tries, spray the tracks with some WD-40. This will help improve the sliding motion of the door.

Insert Retaining Screw

Use the screwdriver to reinsert the retaining screw and tighten it down. Check to make sure you can remove the door when the screw is installed.