Storm door installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What storm door installation is

Storm door installation fits a storm or screen door on an exterior entry. The installer measures the frame, installs the hinge side, closer and latch, and adjusts the door to swing and seal against the weather. People call when a main door lets in drafts or loses heat, when they want screen airflow in warm months, or when an old storm door has bent, sagged or stopped closing.

Signs you need it

  • An entry door that loses heat or lets in drafts in winter, with a worn or failing seal
  • A storm door that bangs in the wind, will not stay closed, or swings back open on its own
  • A bent frame, sagging corners or a door that no longer lines up with the latch side
  • A torn screen or a cracked glass insert in an existing storm door
  • An entry with no storm protection, where the owner wants screen airflow for warm months

What the pro does

  • Measure the door frame, the threshold and the swing, and check the clearance for the closer and the handle
  • Mark and install the hinge side and latch side brackets, aligned so the door hangs plumb in the frame
  • Fit the storm door panel with the glass or screen insert, then set the handle, lock and latch at the right height
  • Install the closer at the spacing and tension that brings the door shut without slamming
  • Adjust the closer, the latch and the bottom sweep so the door seals against the weather and the frame

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Door size, number of panels, and whether the storm door is full view, retractable screen or a security storm door
  • Frame material, such as wood, vinyl, steel or aluminum, and how the brackets fasten into it
  • Glass or screen type, including tempered glass or a laminated insert
  • Closer type, such as hydraulic or pneumatic, and any soft-close feature
  • Frame or threshold repair needed before the storm door can fit square
  • Finish color and hardware, including locks and handles
  • Removal and haul-away of an old storm door

What a written quote should spell out

  • Storm door type, size, frame material and color, with the manufacturer named
  • Glass or screen insert type, with the thickness and any safety rating named
  • Closer and latch type, and the hinge side and latch side hardware
  • Lock and handle type and finish, and whether a keyed lock is included
  • Frame or threshold repair listed as a separate line, if needed
  • Removal and haul-away of the old storm door, and cleanup of the area

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the frame square, and will the storm door fit the opening without shimming the frame?
  • What closer do you use, and how do you set its speed so the door shuts without slamming?
  • Will the storm door clear the handle and the lock on my main door?
  • Which glass or screen insert is included, and can I switch between glass and screen by season?
  • How do you mount the hinge side so it holds in my frame material?
  • What warranty covers the closer, the glass and the finish?
  • Do you measure the opening yourself, and do you check the threshold before ordering?

Red flags

  • A storm door installed without checking that the frame is square, so it binds and cannot seal
  • A closer left at full force, so the door slams and damages the frame
  • Screws driven into soft or rotted frame wood with no repair
  • No sweep or seal at the bottom, which leaves a gap for drafts and insects
  • Pressure to order a storm door before the opening has been measured

What you can do yourself

You can safely install a storm door yourself on a ground-level entry if the frame is sound and square, using the manufacturer's template, a level and a helper for the larger panels. Do not drill into a rotted frame or a threshold that is not flat, and do not attempt work on a second-story door. Call a pro for frame repair, a door that will not square, or a closer or latch that does not fit.

Licenses and permits

Storm door installation is commonly done by general home improvement businesses and exterior or door contractors, and it does not usually need a special license on an existing frame. Check with your state and local licensing agency, and check the local building office if the work changes the opening or the frame.

Storm door installation questions

Is a full view storm door better than a screen door?

Each suits a different purpose. A full view door adds insulation and protection. A retractable screen door adds airflow. Many homes use one storm door with interchangeable glass and screen inserts.

Why does my storm door bang in the wind?

The closer may be set too weak, the latch may not engage, or the door may be out of square. A pro can adjust the closer and check the alignment, then add a wind stop if needed.

Can a storm door go on any entry?

Most entry doors can take a storm door, but the frame must be sound and square. The installer should check the clearance for the closer and the handle first.

Will a storm door keep the heat in?

It helps by adding a second layer of air and glass, and a good seal at the bottom and sides makes a real difference. The main door still matters, so check its seal too.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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