How to install a retractable screen door in a single doorway.

Follow our helpful process here to make your next project a success and enjoy fresh air throughout your home.

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Tools Required

1. Safety glasses
   
2. Screw gun/power drill & 3/32nd inch drill bit
   
3. #2 drill bit driver/ screwdriver
   
4. Tape measure
   
5. Caulk gun & caulk (we recommend OSI Quad MAX)
   
6. Hacksaw (if door is less than 32" wide)
   

Materials Required

1. Screen housing
2. Decorative housing
3. 2 tracks
4. Sill plate & extenders
5. 4 1 & 1/4 inch housing screws

Before beginning the install process, you'll need to ensure that you have the right door to cover your opening. Use the table above for reference. This same table can be found in the instruction pamphlet included in your screen door packaging. 

You'll also need to determine whether your door is right or left-handed. This will dictate which side your locking mechanism will reside.

Next, ensure that your retractable screen door kit contains all of the materials listed:

1. Screen housing
2. Decorative housing
3. 2 tracks
4. Sill plate & extenders
5. 4 1 & 1/4 inch housing screws

Remove the door components from the packaging, leaving only the foam blocks pictured here in place in the corners of the door assembly.

Before assembling, measure your door opening. If it is smaller than the kit's default 32 inches wide, you may need to cut down the tracks with the hacksaw mentioned above. Use the graphic above to determine measurements and any needed cuts.

Once the track is the proper length, you can begin the assembly process by orienting the door so that the retracting mechanism aligns with the hinge-side of your door, and  inserting the non-cut (if applicable) end of the track into the corner of the screen housing. Move the foam block up that is blocking its path, but be sure to leave the block separating the screen and housing in place to prevent the screen from recoiling (shown above). Make sure that the end caps thread through the tracks and snap into place.

Next, slide the sill plate assembly into the bottom track.

Then, insert the ends of the top and bottom rails into the decorative housing until they snap into place as pictured above.

Once both tracks are inserted, you can remove the packing block from the screen-side of the assembly.

 

To begin installation, press the decorative housing and screen housing sides together so that the assembly is at its narrowest point. Then, place the assembly onto the door sill. Extend the assembly out until both phalanges are snug with the brickmould or exterior trim. 

Next, mark and drill 4 holes (one in each corner) in the screen housing. Then, from the top-down, insert the screws into the pre-drilled holes in the phalanges to secure the assembly in place. 

Next, center the sill-plate assembly on to the door sill. Then slide the sill-plate extenders to each side to fill in any gaps.

For a tailored look, use scissors to cut the sill-plate extender to the fit the profile of the door frame as pictured here. 

Now lift the sill-plate up and apply 3 four-inch beads of caulk to the underside of the sill-plate as pictured above. Be careful not to get any caulk on the sill-plate extenders. Now, put the sill-plate back down and press it down to ensure it adheres. Wipe away any visible excess caulk.

 

Pull the slider bar closed to ensure the latch and latch-hook are properly aligned.

The latch hook can be adjusted up or down with a screwdriver by loosening the set screws shown here. Ensure that the lock-side of the handle assembly faces the inside of the home when installed. 

On the interior handle, you'll find a handle lock. This piece pivots left and right to lock and unlock your screen door. When the screen is secured and locked, the screen cannot be opened from the outside. Your installation is now complete.

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