Screen Door Hinges: Placement Guide

closeup of a Screen Door
  • 1 hours
  • Beginner
  • 0-10
What You'll Need
Measuring tape
What You'll Need
Measuring tape

A screen door can be useful for a variety of reasons. However, you must make sure it is installed correctly. This means checking that the hinges on the screen door have been hung and secured in the correct way. Correctly installing hinges can mean they last for much longer.

Inside/Outside

You can place your hinges so the screen door will open inwards and outwards. Attach the hinges to the inside of the door and the door frame if you want the screen door to open inwards. This will be common on most screen doors inside a home. Attach the hinges to the outside of the door and the door frame if you want the door to open outwards. The hinge placement on screen door should always make the door open inwards unless this is impossible.

Placement

There are many different ways you can arrange the placement of hinges on a screen door and door frame. This will depend on how many hinge brackets you actually have. As a rule of thumb, you should place one hinge at the top of the door and one at the bottom of the door. If you have a third, you should fix it in the middle of the first two. If you have many small hinge brackets, evenly space them out between the door and the door frame. Do not waste any.

Measuring

When measuring, keep your measurements equal and level at all times. Always mark the position of the hinges before you attach them to the door and door frame. This is important because it will distribute the amount of weight being applied to the hinges evenly. It is also important in ensuring that the hinges blend in with the rest of the door design and do not look unprofessional.

The Bottom Hinge

In some cases it will be appropriate to make sure that the bottom hinge is slightly further away from the bottom of the door than the top hinge is away from the top of the door. This is not entirely necessary but there is a good reason for it. When someone looks down at the bottom hinge, they do not see it straight on. Therefore, the brain creates an illusion that the bottom hinge is perfectly in proportion with the hinge at the top of the door.

Rulers

Rulers are a great way to make sure you have a straight edge when placing your screen door hinge. This is important because it will mean that everything is installed and looks proportional. If you do not use a straight edge when placing your hinges, it will mean the door will end up hanging at an angle. This will be noticeable to anyone with decent eye sight.

Types

Some types of hinge require specific placement patterns. Two types are inlay hinges and spring hinges. Inlay hinges will often be included when you buy a door to fit into pre-made grooves or cuts at the top and bottom of the door. Spring hinges are more powerful and will cause a door to pop open violently if they are not evenly spaced along the door frame.