Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
#6571735
07/11/19 06:09 AM
07/11/19 06:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
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OP
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Posts: 21,536
Sandhills Nebraska
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Everyone knows what happens when the wind catches the storm door. The closers and springs provided just don't hold things together. Haven't seen a good solution yet. And, if the inside door is closed, the air trapped between the two doors doesn't allow the storm door to latch when it closes. Has anybody come up with a good solution yet to keep the wind at bay?
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6571748
07/11/19 06:45 AM
07/11/19 06:45 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,249 western mn
bucksnbears
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trapper
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Posts: 7,249
western mn
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The treshold on storm doors are adjustable. Leave enuff gap for air to get out. Set the adjustment on the closer piston on the looser side.
swampgas chili and schmidt beer makes for a deadly combo
You have to remember that 1 out of 3 Democratic Voters is just as dumb as the other two.
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6571775
07/11/19 07:50 AM
07/11/19 07:50 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930 SEPA
Lugnut
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SEPA
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I have installed many storm doors. The storm chains and springs that come with them help but are pretty useless if a big wind catches the door. That is mostly due to insufficient material in which to anchor the screws for the door hook that holds the storm chain. Even the high end doors usually have solid MDF cores, a stable but not very strong material for holding screws.. I always give the customer the option of installing the chains or not. Doors with two closer pistons don't normally come with a storm chain. I have replaced bent pistons on wind damaged doors with one and two pistons.
If I can, I will hang the door with the hinges on the prevailing wind side so the door opens against the wind and can't be pulled out of someones hand. But, most customers want the hinges on the same side as the main entry door so that isn't always an option. Bottom line might be; HOLD ON TO THE DOOR IF IT IS VERY WINDY!
As far as not latching properly; that is all in the proper hanging of the door and adjustment of the piston(s). I spend a few minutes adjusting the closer pistons at the end of each install (with the main door closed) and get it to where the storm door will snick closed every time. It doesn't matter how tightly it seals (that's what they are designed to do), you can adjust the closer piston(s) to latch every time if the door is hung properly.
I had one call back where the customer complained of the storm door being too airtight and that condensation was building up on it when the main door was closed. I solved this by nicking the sweep at the bottom of the storm door (where the most sealing occurs). I didn't know if that would work or not but the customer tells me it did. I could have adjusted the sweep up until it wasn't making contact with the threshold but that defeats the entire purpose of a good storm door install doesn't it?
Eh...wot?
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6571782
07/11/19 08:02 AM
07/11/19 08:02 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,311 Northern Illinois
huntrap247
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trapper
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Northern Illinois
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I have installed many storm doors for customers, and I really encourage them to let me install a check chain.
In real windy locations, I will bolt through the door with stainless bolts to hold the bracket in place.
If the door is not solid, (many are just foam filled) I will use fender washers on the outside to spread the load.
Most often this will not fail, however the door can still become damaged when it flies open and twists the door.
Some people refuse to see the truth when you bludgeon them over the head with it.
Member FTA-17I NTA NRA Patriot life member
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: huntrap247]
#6571824
07/11/19 09:15 AM
07/11/19 09:15 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930 SEPA
Lugnut
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If the door is not solid, (many are just foam filled) I will use fender washers on the outside to spread the load. I doubt my customers would be happy if I through-bolted or slapped a couple of fender washers on the outside of a high-end storm door.
Eh...wot?
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6571828
07/11/19 09:24 AM
07/11/19 09:24 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,377 Green County Wisconsin
GREENCOUNTYPETE
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Green County Wisconsin
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we had this problem years ago when we had a south facing storm door with a east west breeze way between the house and garage
the neighbor had some 3/8 by 2 inch bar stock about 8 inches long he drilled about 6 holes in that bar we used those to add 6 lag bolts and 4 more holes dilled and tapped for the bracket to attach with machine screws
this solved the problem of ripping the door frame when it caught and the closer became the weakest link. still replaced a few of those but much easier than a torn up door frame.
after 2-3 closers getting torn up we also added machine chain and extra shock springs on the over travel and added a through hole with fender washers and eye bolt at the top of the door we set it so that the storm door would only open about 3/4 of the way without releasing the chain. then it was good till we didn't have that door any more
Last edited by GREENCOUNTYPETE; 07/11/19 09:25 AM.
America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Lugnut]
#6571903
07/11/19 12:23 PM
07/11/19 12:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,311 Northern Illinois
huntrap247
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Northern Illinois
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If the door is not solid, (many are just foam filled) I will use fender washers on the outside to spread the load. I doubt my customers would be happy if I through-bolted or slapped a couple of fender washers on the outside of a high-end storm door. I hear ya. Didn’t claim it was pretty, said it works. Work for a lot of farmers, they don’t mind the looks, just want it functional. When I put in a high end front door, I discourage them from covering it with a storm.
Some people refuse to see the truth when you bludgeon them over the head with it.
Member FTA-17I NTA NRA Patriot life member
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6572046
07/11/19 05:36 PM
07/11/19 05:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
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Sandhills Nebraska
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I don't want a storm door on my home either. Nothing but junk to mess with these days. Persnickety females are where my problem lies.. They want it to look pretty, then bich when the wind catches it and rips it off. Job security I guess, aye?
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6572050
07/11/19 05:56 PM
07/11/19 05:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,249 western mn
bucksnbears
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western mn
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A storm door is installed to protect the main door. The main door swings in exposing the threshold which a driving rain can get to and end up ruining the flooring. I do not like storms doors where the rubber sweep rubs the threshold of the main door. I leave em up about an 1/8 inch. And yes, always hang on to the storm untill completely closed n latched!
Last edited by bucksnbears; 07/11/19 05:56 PM.
swampgas chili and schmidt beer makes for a deadly combo
You have to remember that 1 out of 3 Democratic Voters is just as dumb as the other two.
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: bucksnbears]
#6572111
07/11/19 08:25 PM
07/11/19 08:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
OP
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536
Sandhills Nebraska
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A storm door is installed to protect the main door. The main door swings in exposing the threshold which a driving rain can get to and end up ruining the flooring. I do not like storms doors where the rubber sweep rubs the threshold of the main door. I leave em up about an 1/8 inch. And yes, always hang on to the storm untill completely closed n latched! Democrat voters ain't democratic. Per your signature....:D
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6572155
07/11/19 09:17 PM
07/11/19 09:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,249 western mn
bucksnbears
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western mn
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Not sure what you mean Gary? Also get a kick outta those that want a beautiful/ expensive main door not knowing that the cheap storm will hide a good portion of it
swampgas chili and schmidt beer makes for a deadly combo
You have to remember that 1 out of 3 Democratic Voters is just as dumb as the other two.
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6572304
07/12/19 06:06 AM
07/12/19 06:06 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,536 Sandhills Nebraska
Gary Benson
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Posts: 21,536
Sandhills Nebraska
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Not my house! Folks in and out all day. Very few make sure the storm door latches.
Life ain't supposed to be easy.
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Re: Wind ripping storm door off. Solution?
[Re: Gary Benson]
#6572325
07/12/19 07:27 AM
07/12/19 07:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930 SEPA
Lugnut
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Posts: 19,930
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Adjust the closer(s) Gary.
Eh...wot?
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