How to Keep Storm Door From Blowing Open
Introduction:
A storm door is a protective covering or sometimes a garage. In most cases, the main doors are made of glass, wood, and steel mesh to protect against elements such as wind, snow, and rain coming through the front door. A storm door is always used during the winter, especially in harsh climates, and can be put on with hinges or swing freely. Today I am going to discuss how to keep the storm door from blowing open.
How Does Storm Door Open?
The opening of storm doors can be controlled in different ways: hinges that allow swinging, rolling up from one side, or moving on the vertical axis. Furthermore, most modern-day storm doors are fitted with automatic systems for smooth operation. With this special design, you do not have to lift your finger to open the door; moreover, when it closes automatically after you pass through, it makes things so much easy!
Step-wise Guide on How to Keep Storm Door From Blowing Open:
- Check the door’s alignment and levelness.
- If your home is properly sealed, check for drafts around the door and make necessary modifications to increase your energy efficiency.
- You can increase the weight of your storm door by adding a screen. This will not only help to withstand stiff winds but will also add additional stability to the frame of your metal or wooden storm door.
- Make sure that there are weather-stripping components on both sides of the doorway in question (making sure that they are in good condition) to reduce air leakage through compromised seals from either side of the opening you’re dealing with; also, consider using foam gaskets on any areas where gaps may be forming between moving parts such as hinges, handles, etc.
- Ensure that your storm door (and the frame around it) is free of rust, rot, or any other structural damages that may make it liable to fly open during inclement weather; consider repainting as necessary or repairing/replacing damaged components with new parts if at all possible.
- Consider adding a door weight to any exterior doors where you might be concerned about them flying open and damaging property; such items are typically made out of hollow metal cylinders filled with either sand or water and are available through most home improvement stores for less than $20 – they can easily be attached on each side of a doorway using screws, nails or some other form of simple fastener making them an extremely effective method of keeping your door in place.
- Consider replacing any door handles that are not up to par with the rest of your hardware – you can also consider adding additional latches as needed and/or remove the screen from your storm door if it is rather old or otherwise in need of being replaced – both of these options combined will make a big difference in terms of overall energy efficiency.
- Keep close tabs on moisture levels within your home; if you happen to have an area where there are many drafts due to water leaking from internal plumbing or other sources, look into purchasing airtight gaps – they’re fairly inexpensive and can be added wherever you might suspect that there’s too much infiltration occurring (make sure they’re labeled for outdoor use).
Precautions While Fixing A Storm Door From Blowing Open:
- During the storm season, guard your doors and windows on the inside with wood or plastic wedges, and make sure they’re driven in tight. Thereafter you can replace them by using a 2-inch piece of plywood, as shown in photo 1.
- On the outside, use two methods: a) screw a hook into each jamb at mid-door height (photo 2). The screw should project about an inch from the door; b) drive a screw through the bottom panel just above its center and bend it over to hold it tightly against the threshold (photo 3).
- Secure any unsecured glass panels into their frames using velcro sticks. I don’t know why it even requires mentioning that you should use screws instead of nails because everyone knows that, but I do it anyway. After all, whenever I see a storm door with glass panels secured by nails, it’s always the bottom panel blowing outward and completely off.
- If your sliding patio doors have curtains or shades, tie them back away from the doors so there’s no chance they’ll catch in the openers as the wind blows.
- Ensure all interior doors are closed before opening an exterior door to avoid letting in cold air.
- If your storm door has a screen, remove it when not needed during periods of high winds and store it inside where it won’t be damaged if windows break.
Conclusion:
Although a storm door that is blown open can often be secured with a straightforward solution or workaround, there are many other instances where more serious repairs need to be made. Keep in mind that the source of the problem may vary; I hope you have obtained all the necessary information to keep the storm door from blowing open. Thank you, and have a good day!
You may also read How to Open a Locked Storm Door
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
