If temperature is a factor then the fact we are doing this so late in the year when it's colder may explain why it is so much more of a pain in the a$$ than usual. Let's see, based on my research over the last day I've discovered I should spray them with windex, coat them with liquid soap, hammer them with a mallet and dry them with a hairdryer. I'd really like a door that is designed to just allow you to slip the screen out and storm window in with not much more than my bare hands - maybe a screwdriver. As it is my storm window is now out and I can't get it in. I have a handyman coming over next week to replace a cracked tile and he said he will take a look at it. I'll be sure to bring the retaining strips in from the garage to warm up. Interestingly I found another forum with about 100 people trying to find an answer to this also. If there is not a door without this "feature" there is clearly an opportunity for someone to design one and make a lot of money.....

The old storm door is unpainted aluminum and no paint should be disturbed during the install as far as I can tell. We would be painting the front door ourselves, and plan to prime with oil primer rather than sand to not disturb the old paint. I did try and price out the door alone and found it retailing for over $400 and I know an install runs around $200. And this isn't an easy install in a newer home where things are level and square. The house is a bungalow with a sunporch that was converted into the entryway, so it has a slab foundation where the rest of the house has a basement. The slab as settled 3 inches in 90 years. it's not longer moving so it's fine, but the door is smack in the middle of that. So I would rather pay a bit more and have an experienced small business owner do it rather than a big box installer with less experience. I'm not trying to cheap out on it, but I also don't want to pay above what is normal. I cheap out in other areas, but in keeping the wind out of the house, I am willing to pay. Our furnace is oil and when we bought the house in 2010 it was just under $3 a gallon for heating oil, and last week it was $3.98. So bring on a door that won't have a steady breeze!

The door is a mahogany look a like with 3 upper areas of a panel look with brick mould around it. The actual moulding has cracked, as well as the skin of the door. Their first solution was for me to paint it. The whole situation is a joke, and I would never go with this door again. I believe since they moved their plant to Mexico because of EPA reasons, the Mexican Gov is also now cracking down on EPA issues, and their finishing process has changed for the worse. They keep remaking the door in hopes of a different result, which is exactly the definition of insanity. The result after 3 times is the same....a cracked finish.

Wow, schoolhouse - I wish I knew there were different glass options for the Anderson doors. I wonder now what I have. I paid about $400 for the door through National Lumber. I think I've decided to put the storm door on the front. I really appreciate everyones opinion on this, and all the good ideas and things to consider. I agree oopsie, it's so inviting to walk by someone's house who has the front door open (with the storm closed). My dog will definitely be happy. Once it's installed, I'll post another picture. I'm still waiting for the Baldwin hardware to come in, I don't know what the holdup is. As far as the potted plants - seems there are very few mums left; I may have missed the window. Pumpkins will have to suffice for now. Thanks again!