Typical Door Frame Situations

Situation 1: There is a recess in the door frame itself.

This is common on older homes where there was originally a wooden screen door installed. Ensure that the recess matches the thickness of the door you are about to order. Ensure that the door knob will not prevent the door from closing. Ensure that there is enough frame for the door to rest against when it is closed, this should be 1/2 inches.

Situation 2: A moulding forms the recess for door.

Ensure that it will be as deep as the thickness of the door you will be ordering. Ensure that there is 1/2 inch of frame for the door to stop against. Ensure that the door knob doesn’t prevent the screen door from closing. Ensure that the moulding is fastened firmly to the frame because this is what the screen door will be hanging from. Ensure that this moulding is deep and wide enough to accept the screws for the hinges. In the event that the existing moulding will not suit, we can fabricate a replacement moulding.

Situation 3: There is no existing recess nor moulding.

We can provide a moulding to create situation 2 or we can provide an optional stop to create situation 3. In situation 3 the frame must be deep enough to allow the screen door to close without hitting the door knob. The optional stop would be nailed to the frame in the appropriate location for the thickness of the screen door.

Situation 4: The frame is made of hollow aluminum or vinyl.

we sometimes run across this with new, steel, entry door frames. It is not possible to cut into these frames and they do not hold screws well. We have found that we can add wooden parts that allow this, effectively turning the frame into a hybrid wooden frame. This requires an experienced carpenter.