Anyone know about storm doors?

[Ginseng]

Summertime is approaching and we'd love to be able to get some crossflow ventilation through the house this season. Especially with electricity rates up 59% from last year. But here's the problem...

The storm door has a removable glass panel. In its place goes a full length screen that was hidden in my basement. From the looks of the screen as well as the storm door frame, it seems as if some sort of retainer should just pop out allowing one to slide out the glass and slide in the screen. I had guess that the two plastic extrusions on the left and right sides of the glass (and the run from top to bottom) would be the key. Pop them out and the glass should lift out.

However, when I tried to pry out that strip, it was stuck fast and started to break under the screwdriver. There are no screws or other easy access hardware. The strip does not appear to be painted over.

Here is a snapshot of the upper corner of the storm door. The blue arrows point to this extruded plastic strip that runs full length and that appears to be the key structure holding in the glass. The sumbitch just won't come out!

So my question is does anyone know how to remove and replace the glass/screen inserts in a storm door of this type?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Wilkey

 

[jcritt]

Does it push back into the frame of the door? I can't really tell by the amount of frame you're showing. Are you sure the screen is for that window? Most screen doors are not complicated creatures. If you can try to get a better shot of all corners of the door for me.

 

[Ginseng]

I'll go out tomorrow morning and try and get some closeups of the corners and the extrusion too.

Wilkey

 

[Izzydunyet]

try spraying the strips with wd40 before trying to remove

 

[JimD]

I have the same type of assembly. Only the strips are on the inside of the door. I use a pocket knife to get them started. Pry molding towards the center of the window. Hopefully this may help.

 

[PTownshend]

hey Ginseng,
There is usually a header and footer clasp strip that holds the interchangeable screen/storm door in place. I have a header and footer that snaps into place that I have to snap off to get my screen door on. Try that.

Watch the sharp objects on these parts, though. Methinks they are very flimsy metal (aluminum like) and this will cause the white enamel to scrape off leaving bare metal underneath. Not too becoming to the wife!

Nuff said.... good luck!
Darren :thumbs:

 

[Rob_k]

try spraying the strips with wd40 before trying to remove

yep, I have a similar unit, the plasitc has a tongue that fits into the steel, and it drys out and becomes brittle, I would go to your local home center and see if they have a replacement plastic piece in case you break it. WD40 should allow the strip to slide out easier.
I am replacing both of my storm doors this year due to that plastic piece not holding the glass / screen in, and the multiple explosions that occured earlier this month .
Rob

 

[Izzydunyet]

when all else fails, have a hammer?? worry about it in the fall... :laugh:

 

[Ginseng]

Alrighty,

It does look like the strip is plastic and not aluminum. Here are the other shots. So it seems the first thing to try would be WD40 along the rail. Thanks, guys!

Wilkey