Keep The Bad Weather Out With This Storm Door Installation Information

There are plenty of reasons why you should install a storm door for your home. Most notably, it keeps bad weather from penetrating your main door and prevents cold or hot air from leaking through any weak points in insulation or weatherstripping. The storm door should create a tight seal that keeps your home more comfortable and cuts down on the energy costs of heating and cooling.

In addition to the price of a storm door, you'll also have to pay for installation. You may want to do the work yourself to try to save some money; as Angi says, the labor cost for setup typically runs between $250 and $450. The exact amount will depend on the complexity of the unit's design. Heavier and larger models will cost more than lightweight options, as will products with security features.

If you decide to take on the job yourself, it'll take about two hours if you have DIY experience, but even novices may be able to handle this relatively easy project. A prehung door on the frame is the easiest model to set up and can be fitted in less than an hour. Certain types of storm doors need to be cut to fit your opening or require assembly upon arrival, though, and you may need to hire a pro to do the work. Let's take a closer look at the factors that affect storm door installation.

If you want to install a storm door yourself, you need to measure your available space. The wrong size of storm door won't fit on your home without significant customization, which can be difficult for a DIY-er to do. Start by measuring the opening horizontally across the top, middle, and bottom from the interior edges of the trim on either side. Record the shortest of the three measurements. You may have to shim the hinge side to create a tight fit. You only need to take one vertical measurement in the center of the frame from the bottom sill to the interior of the trim on top.

Pay attention to how the storm door will swing after installation. You want it to move outward, and you want its handle to be on the same side as the one on your main entry door. Keep these features in mind when ordering your storm door to make sure you select the right design.

If you're unsure whether you can handle the storm door installation job yourself, consider purchasing a prehung door kit. This type of model is preassembled and inside its frame. Many kits have slightly adjustable frames or trim pieces so you can extend the frame for a non-standard opening. Some even have holes predrilled in the frame, indicating where you should place your screws into the trim around the opening.

A storm door can help the resale value of your home by increasing its curb appeal — if it's installed correctly. A poorly hung storm door could actually detract from your home's value. If curb appeal is especially important to you, it's worth hiring a professional to do the work.

You also may want to hire a pro if you have a model with complex features. A product with security locks, for example, may be more difficult to install than a design with a simple handle and no separate deadbolt lock. If you have a double or French doors in your home, you'll need a double storm door. This can be challenging to install on your own, as it requires precise measurements that a pro may be able to handle better.

If you find that you have significant drafts around your main door (you can easily check with this match or candle trick), it might be best to have a pro take care of the installation. These currents are common in older homes with trim and frames that aren't quite square, which will affect the door's plumbness. An expert can make certain your barrier is aligned properly and add extra insulation or weatherstripping to protect against air leaks. On the other hand, if you feel comfortable doing this kind of precision work yourself, go for it.