How to Replace Storm Door Glass with a Screen

Storm door glass is one of the most fragile parts that make up a storm door. It usually breaks easily due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Replacing broken glass with new glass is a repair option too, but if you want to steer clear of repeated damage and repair, replacing the glass with screen is the best way to go. The process can be fun, and this step-by-step guide will teach you how to do it. The tools and materials required for the job are given below.

Step 1 - Unfasten Hinges and Remove Storm Door

First, use a screwdriver to unfasten all the hinges on the storm door, moving from bottom to top. Once you’ve carefully unfastened all hinges, take off the door and place it on a work table that has been covered by a blanket. This will prevent any impact that could cause damage to the storm door glass and will prevent injury.

Step 2 - Dismantle Storm Door

It is easy to dismantle (not completely) a storm door to take out the glass. Use a screwdriver that has a narrow tip to fit it into the corners of the door. The idea is to unscrew all the tiny screws that are usually hidden in the spaces where the door edges meet. Take the glass out. Make sure you are wearing gloves while handling the glass.

Step 3 - Measure the Opening in the Storm Door

Being the most important step in this procedure, this requires accurate measurements and focus. Use a tape measure to achieve the appropriate dimensions of the opening in the storm door. You need these measurements to cut your sheet of screen accordingly. If your measurements go even slightly wrong, the screen will not fit and buying and cutting another sheet of screen will take more time and money.

Step 4 - Measure the Glazing Spline

Most storm doors have the glass enclosed in a glazing spline that has grooves in it to ensure that the glass stays fixed in one place, preventing easy damage. As you are replacing the glass with screen, you have to replace the spline too, as the grooves have to be specific to the thickness of the screen, which varies from the thickness of the glass used in storm doors. In storm doors, the glass of the windows is separated from the door frame by a glazing spline.

Step 5 - Finish the Job

Now, fix the newly cut screen into the grooves of the new glazing spline. Then fit the glazing spine into the opening in the storm door and put back the screws you unscrewed in step two. Make sure the screen fits well in the spline. Shake it in your hands and check if the fit is not too loose before you screw the parts of the door back. When the parts of the storm door are fixed into place, re-fasten the storm door on its hinges in the frame. Your job is done!