Proper Screen Door Can Provide Fresh Air, Security

Question: With summer coming, I want to install screen-storm doors over my front and back doors. I want ones that offer additional security and more efficiency. What type of do-it-yourself doors are best?

Answer: Adding a good-quality screen-storm door can be a year-round money saver. They provide security as well as natural ventilation in the summer and less heat loss and fewer drafts through your doors in the winter. Installing one will also increase the life of your primary door by providing weather protection.

There are new designs of screen-storm doors that are attractive and more secure against break-ins than some primary doors. The most secure ones use decorative wrought iron or aluminum channels, bank vault-like deadbolt pins, heavy-duty keyed locks and hinges with nonremovable pins.

Although most reasonably priced screen-storm doors use an aluminum skin or plastic frame design, there are significant differences among the various designs. Do not simply buy the cheapest model on sale. Check the warranties carefully. Some list lifetime warranties, but they are only cover the hinges.

Your first selection decision should concern the features of screen-storm door you want. These include full view, high or low view, self storing, triple track and many combinations. In some self-storing doors, including Store-In-Door, the glass panels can be removed and hidden inside the solid door section.

Triple-track doors are probably the most convenient year-round. The opening in the door has three tracks--one for each of two half-height glass panels and a third one for the screen panel. You can position all three independently.

This gives you maximum flexibility. If you have a dog or cat, you can position the screen behind one of the glass panels for scratch protection. For effective and secure summer ventilation, adjust the glass panels to leave a gap at the top and bottom for natural air circulation flow.

For your front screen-storm door, consider one of the new decorative ones that many manufacturers offer. Glass options include real hand-leaded glass and stained glass in rose oval, morning glory and eagle patterns.

Most residential doors are made of hollow aluminum or plastic skins or solid wood. The most efficient ones use a foam insulation core to support the outer skins. This forms a rigid door with air-tight seals. The Magna-Core line also uses durable, long-lasting refrigerator-type magnetic seals.

Screen-storm doors with a particleboard or wood core under the skins are very secure and durable. For added security, you can have stainless steel screening installed. It is extremely difficult to break through it.

Write for (or instantly download https://www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 549, a buyer’s guide to the 10 top-quality, most secure screen-storm doors, styles, construction, core and insulation, colors and features. Please include $3 and a business-size self-addressed stamped envelope to James Dulley, Los Angeles Times, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.

Unusual Ideas Create More Storage Space

Question: We are designing a new efficient house on a tight budget. This means getting by with as little floor space as is reasonably possible. Do you have any hints for designing the bathroom storage area?

Answer: In addition to lower building costs, a smaller house has lower utility bills. Heat loss (gain in the summer) is directly related to the total area of the exterior walls.

Try putting shallow cabinets above the bathroom window and door. These are not areas where you normally stand. Use roll-out wire baskets under the sink. Put shelves over the shower curtain rod and above the toilet tank.

Letters and questions to James Dulley, a Cincinnati-based engineering consultant, may be sent to James Dulley, Los Angeles Times, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244.