How to Remove a Screen Door

A close up on a screen door.
  • 1-2 hours
  • Intermediate
  • $0-30
What You'll Need
Phillips screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver
What You'll Need
Phillips screwdriver
Flat head screwdriver

A screen door can seem complicated since they often slide back and forth on a track with very little effort on behalf of the operator. It is actually a very simple invention that involves a track, a frame, and some wheels in the base. These wheels can be adjusted to allow the door to move more fluidly across the track and allow it to move more freely as it is opened and closed. Some screen doors have simple locks to help you lock the door, which is more for peace of mind than anything else, as anyone or anything can get through a screen door quite easily if they wanted to. If you've grown tired of your screen door, these steps will help you remove it.

Step 1 - Check the Door Mechanics

There are many screen door models. Each has a slightly different variance on how it can be adjusted or even removed from the door track. Unlike traditional screen doors that simply install into a window or a door frame that is mounted to the front of your home on hinges, sliding screen doors are generally an entire installed track unit. Look at the top and bottom edges of your door; you should see some type of screw on each of the four corners, located on either the outside of the frame or on the inside edge. These are your adjusting screws that literally move your door's runner wheels up or down to allow smoother operation.

Step 2 - Adjust the Wheel Screws

A close up on a screen door.

To get a sliding screen door out of the track, you will have to adjust the wheel screws that are located on the four corners of the door frame itself. These can be Allen bolts, Phillips, or flat head screws that when turned one way or the other, lower or raise the runner wheels inside the door where they contact with the track itself. If you look at the door frame, it should appear to be stuck inside the track, as if it is a permanent fixture. This is an illusion. When raising the wheels, you will start to see that the edge of the door will start to drop below the track at the top of your frame.

Step 3 - Do the Bottom Screws First

When you are trying to remove your screen door to make repairs, simply loosen the bottom corner screws first. This will raise the wheels in the base of the door frame, making the door sink into the track. At the top of the frame, you should see your top wheels simply sitting there exposed and most likely preventing the door from coming loose.

Step 4 - Lower the Top Screws

To release your screen door from the track, lower the top screws located on the edges of the door frame. You should see the wheels sink into the frame of the door making it fall free and out of the slots. When placing the door back in after your repairs are completed, reverse the process by adjusting the bottom wheels first so the door slides evenly.