skip to main content

Home Repair Porches & Decks Exterior

Cheapest way to replace a screen door?

Christina White

3 years ago

The dog jumped through the glass window of the aluminim screen door. He‘s completely fine but pretty sure the door will have to be replaced. Ideas for cheap replacements? And installation would be completed by a novice so give me the dirt on how frustrating this is going to be. I’m looking for functionality.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Christina White
Original Author
3 years ago
This is what I’m attempting to fix/replace.
ci_lantro
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Cheapest way probably would be to find a cheap or free used one. Craigslist or Marketplace, etc. Be sure that you get the frame with a used one, the proper width, of course, and the correct opening direction. (Hinge placement on the right exterior side, IOW's)

Or remove the glass slider frame & have the glazing replaced. Not with glass but with plexiglass. Reinstall the glass slider & then replace the screen with the glass in place. (Leaving the frame in place helps to prevent distorting the frame.) This is about a 5 minute job. You'll need new screen (heavy duty pet resistant is what I would use), scissors, replacement spline & a spline roller. Because the pet resistant screen is thicker, you'll need to buy a smaller diameter replacement spline than what was originally used.

Second option if you can't readily dispose of the old door.
Related Discussions
Screen Door - How to fit a Fly-Screen Insert...
Q
Comments (1)
Our screen doors have semi-circle inserts that can be rotated in place, to allow the screen to be removed/installed. There is a slot, and a screwdriver is used to rotate the locking mechanism. A later model screen door has a small lever that is pushed to accomplish the same purpose. The metal inserts do not fall out, they rotate in place. I have no way of knowing if your door uses the same type mechanism.
...See More
Laziest and cheapest way to paint these cupboards?
Q
Comments (30)
I'll be the odd man out! LOL I had those very same cabinets in the base housing when I was in California. I L-O-V-E-D them. They were six months old when we moved in. The shelves were adjustable. The insides were bright and light. I had never had such spanking new, fresh, clean looking cabinets. The laminate was so easy to keep clean. A skirt of windex, a swipe with a cloth, and they were done. Since they were white I could see smears and fingerprints as they happened. 30 seconds later the messes were gone. I did not have pink countertops. If you're adding a new countertop, they should be fine. Once you see how easy they are to keep clean, I'll bet you love them. I'm seriously considering something similar when we finally get to do our kitchen.
...See More
Cheapest way to create a kitchenette/wet bar in cottage space?
Q
Comments (12)
I agree with Carolina K&B. It looks as if you can extend the cabinets out to standard 24" depth. After the prep work, I'd go to Lowe's or HD, get an unfinished sink cabinet, 24" wide, which you can paint or stain. Use an inexpensive 18" undermount sink, with a remnant from a stone yard, or use a sealed wood top. Leave space for a 24" fridge. Order a pull-out filler from Amazon (or from whatever supplier has the best price), and use a piece of 3/4 board for the front panel, painted or stained to match the cabinet. Size a shelf to fit a small MW, and get the upper cabinet that matches the sink base. Paint or stain the same, or mix it up for a cottage-y look. Buy a wine cubby insert for one side of the sink cabinet, and a trash pull-out for the other. Hack the toe kick for extra storage, or have the cabinets custom made by a local cabinet maker. Without the MW, fridge, and coffee maker, it's not a kitchenette, it's just a place where the artist stores his canvases and cleans his brushes. 6" Rev-a-Shelf pull-out at Lowe's 12" Trash pull-out at Lowe's 23" wide mini-fridge at Amazon, SS 20" wide mini-fridge at Amazon, but ... Oh my gosh, how cute is this? And check out the MW that matches it!
...See More
Replacing screen door track
Q
Comments (13)
@millworkman, @Sammy Thanks for your suggestions. I got the track from metroscreenworks and installed it today. The screen door is back in business :). The track was a very tight fit width wise so I sanded it down on both the sides. I wasn't able to slide it all the way to the bottom in the channel so its sitting a little higher then the previous track. However I was still able to slide the screen door on it so I didn't bother sanding it further. Thanks.
...See More
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
3 years ago
Local hardware stores (not big box stores) often can replace screening and glass for you at low cost.
User
3 years ago
Cheapest? Maybe ask for recommendations within a price range budget...

What about the dog issue?
Christina White
Original Author
3 years ago
Dog was scared by a bunch of people driving by honking for a birthday celebration and jumped into the house. Pretty certain he’s not likely to repeat his movie stunts but just in case. Everyone’s been instructed to not leave him outside with just the screen door closed in the future.
GN Builders
3 years ago
Put clear acrylic instead of glass and re-screen with a metal screen mesh.

Related Stories

DOORS 10 Ways to Work Screen Doors, Inside and Out

By Laura Gaskill

Take this functional feature up a notch with one of the many alternative door styles available

DOORS The Art of the Window: 12 Ways to Cover Glass Doors

By Jess McBride

Learn how to use drapes, shutters, screens, shades and more to decorate French doors, sliding doors and Dutch doors

WINDOW TREATMENTS Easy Green: 9 Low-Cost Ways to Insulate Windows and Doors

By Laura Gaskill

Block drafts to boost both warmth and energy savings with these inexpensive but effective insulating strategies

FIREPLACES Stoke Your Fireplace Design With Decorative Screens and Doors

By The Inman Company

Keep wayward sparks in while setting your fireplace ablaze with style, with a screen that suits your hearth and home

DOORS Creative Ways With Barn-Style Doors

By Laura Gaskill

Considering jumping on the barn-door bandwagon? These examples in different styles offer inspiration aplenty

DOORS 10 Cleverly Crafty Ways to Refashion a Door

By Becky Harris

Enter the world of faux croc, nailheads and wallpaper to bring imagination and liveliness to a plain door

ACCESSORIES 10 Ways to Fix Your Fireplace Up With a Screen Star

By Becky Harris

Make a match so right, you might see sparks — these unusual fireplace screens are worth the search

SHOWERS 10 Chic Ways to Use Black-Framed Shower Doors

Enclosing the shower in metal and glass gives bathrooms industrial oomph

HOME TECH Love Your TV but Not the Way It Looks? Here’s How to Hide It

By Becky Harris

See the clever new ways designers are concealing that big, blank TV screen

WINDOWS 11 Ways to Create Indoor-Outdoor Connections

By Laura Gaskill

Expand nature's soothing embrace with sliding doors, covered porches, generous windows and more

Sponsored

More Discussions

gap fill in prefinished hardwood flooring

5

damage to marble?

6

Subfloor question

4

Design HELP-choose siding for Lake House

3

Exterior Update to Tudor House

11