What Is a Storm Door?

A poorly installed or old door can be a major issue if you’re trying to keep your home insulated from the elements.  A storm door is an extra layer of protection, installed in front of a standard door to provide even more insulation. Sometimes, though, storm doors aren’t set up properly and end up falling short of their intended purpose. Also here is how to install a storm door with ease.

If you’ve got a storm door that isn’t performing like you want it to, the first thing to check is the sweep. Here’s what to look for.

Adjust the sweep

If your storm door drags on the threshold or lets in blowing snow, take a look at the lower edge. Most metal storm doors have an adjustable sweep that can slide up or down. Just loosen the screws on the inside of the door, raise or lower the sweep, and then tighten the screws.

If the sweep is stuck, open the door, grab the underside with both hands and pull up as if you were trying to lift the door. That will break the sweep free. Making the adjustment is easiest on a sunny day: Position the sweep so that its rubber strip presses against the threshold just enough to block out sunlight.

If the rubber gasket under the sweep is damaged and won’t provide a good seal, you may be able to order a new sweep. Look for the manufacturer’s nameplate (usually on the hinge side of the metal frame). Then search for the manufacturer’s contact information online. Some major manufacturers have online order forms.

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