Trying to slow the influx of mosquitoes into the house...I have french doors going out onto the porch in back. The french doors are framed with a thin piece of trim wood. Can I attach a lightweight screen door to the trim - using screws long enough to pass through to the solid stuff - ? I'm looking for the most economical avenue right now.
My other thought is buying bulk mosquito netting and making my own 'curtains' that will hang around the perimeter of the covered porch. I figure sewing loops to the tops or maybe grommets and using vinyl coated clothesline would work. I do have dogs, so would have to provide an easy 'out' for them to pass through. Online custom mosquito screens are several hundred dollars. I found a site that will sell for $5/running yard.
thoughts?
Tass
Home improvement project
Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
Home improvement project
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh crap, she's up"
Re: Home improvement project
Way back, I bought a real "fixer upper" with the intention of turning it into my dream home. I then proceeded to live there 10 years without ever doing anything to it. Then I got married and my wife put me to work, so I have been doing a ton of home improvement projects the past couple of years.
Now as to your question, I would definitely recommend not hanging a door to a piece of trim. The action of the door swinging open and closed will pull on it and do damage, probably pulling out at some point. Your french doors should be framed to the home, so you can cheat a little and used the existing framing, assuming your screen doors will fit. Make certain that you use long screws and mount to the frame securely. You want to pass all the way through the exterior trim and into the door frame itself.
In all likelihood, your screen doors will need their own frame for a tight fit. It is probably best for you to build the frame yourself so it will fit right inside the existing door frame, unless you can find something that works. If you have a gap when the doors are closed, the mosquitos will figure it out fast! I am sure there are some folks here with some other ideas.
Here is a link to some very basic instructions on door hanging. It may be too much information for you, but gives you an idea of what you are working with. http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2frameadoor" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Good luck!
Now as to your question, I would definitely recommend not hanging a door to a piece of trim. The action of the door swinging open and closed will pull on it and do damage, probably pulling out at some point. Your french doors should be framed to the home, so you can cheat a little and used the existing framing, assuming your screen doors will fit. Make certain that you use long screws and mount to the frame securely. You want to pass all the way through the exterior trim and into the door frame itself.
In all likelihood, your screen doors will need their own frame for a tight fit. It is probably best for you to build the frame yourself so it will fit right inside the existing door frame, unless you can find something that works. If you have a gap when the doors are closed, the mosquitos will figure it out fast! I am sure there are some folks here with some other ideas.
Here is a link to some very basic instructions on door hanging. It may be too much information for you, but gives you an idea of what you are working with. http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2frameadoor" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Good luck!
“While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” ― Samuel Adams
Re: Home improvement project
Depending on your budget. Look into Phantom Doors. These are retractible screen units.
They work great.
http://www.phantomscreens.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I believe Home Depot carries a similar product, but I'm not sure what they call it. HD's are DIY.
They work great.
http://www.phantomscreens.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I believe Home Depot carries a similar product, but I'm not sure what they call it. HD's are DIY.
Re: Home improvement project
I love the retractable doors, that would be ideal, but way too expensive. For about $100, I could custom make my own screen similar to those that attach to gazebo's and patio umbrellas.
Tass
Tass
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh crap, she's up"
Re: Home improvement project
Tass wrote:Trying to slow the influx of mosquitoes into the house...I have french doors going out onto the porch in back. The french doors are framed with a thin piece of trim wood. Can I attach a lightweight screen door to the trim - using screws long enough to pass through to the solid stuff - ? I'm looking for the most economical avenue right now.
My other thought is buying bulk mosquito netting and making my own 'curtains' that will hang around the perimeter of the covered porch. I figure sewing loops to the tops or maybe grommets and using vinyl coated clothesline would work. I do have dogs, so would have to provide an easy 'out' for them to pass through. Online custom mosquito screens are several hundred dollars. I found a site that will sell for $5/running yard.
thoughts?
Tass
...the ones shown on TV with magnets that you can push open and close automatically sell for hundreds???