Questions: Screen doors
Screen door questions
A sliding screen door works well when it is the right size for the opening and the frame is straight. These answers cover sizes, measuring, when a rescreen or a custom new sliding screen door makes sense, and how to keep a door on its track in Reno's afternoon wind.
Sizes and measuring
What sizes do sliding screen doors come in?
Most patio doors take a screen about 80 inches tall, and many newer homes have 96-inch doors. Widths vary with the patio door. Stock doors come in a few sizes, while a custom door is built to the height and width of your opening.
How do I measure for a sliding screen door?
Measure the height from the inside of the bottom track to the inside of the top track at the left, center and right, and note the smallest number. Measure the width of the opening too. Tracks are often not perfectly level, which is why we measure on site before building.
Which side of the patio door does the screen door go on?
On most sliding patio doors the screen rides in its own track on the outside. If your door has no screen track, we look at the opening during the measuring visit and explain the options.
Can the screen in my sliding door be replaced without replacing the door?
Yes, if the frame is straight and the corners are tight. The door is rescreened with new mesh rolled into the frame with new spline, or with the same spline reused when it is still good.
Read more: Sliding door sizes · Sliding screen doors
A door that sticks, squeaks or blows off
Why does my sliding screen door keep coming off the track?
The usual causes are a bent frame, a door that is too short for the opening, or a dirty or dented track. Wind and pets pushing on the door make it worse. Vacuuming the track is the first thing to try yourself; a bent or undersized door is better replaced with a custom new sliding screen door measured to the opening.
What should I check if my sliding screen door won't slide?
Vacuum the top and bottom tracks, wipe them with a damp cloth, and look for dents or debris where the door sticks. Then lay the door flat and measure corner to corner both ways. If the frame is out of square, a new door is the lasting answer; if it is straight and only the mesh is worn, we rescreen it.
Why does my screen door grind or squeak?
Grinding almost always means dirt in the track. Vacuum and wipe the track first, and do not oil it, since oil collects grit. If the noise continues, the door itself is likely worn.
Why won't my screen door latch?
The latch has to line up with a keeper on the door frame. When a door sits lower or higher than it used to, or the frame is out of square, the latch misses. If the frame is bent, a custom new sliding screen door built to the opening closes true.
How do I keep the wind from blowing my screen door off?
Keep the track clean, and keep the door closed or latched on gusty afternoons. A door built to the measured opening with a sturdy frame stays seated better. NOAA's climate normals for Reno show afternoon winds near 13 miles per hour through much of spring and summer, so a loose door gets tested often.
Read more: Door won't slide · Custom new doors
Choosing a screen door
Is a heavy-duty screen door worth it?
In a windy valley with pets and kids, usually yes. A heavier frame stays square and resists bending when it is pushed or blown. We bring samples so you can feel the difference before you decide.
What screen should I use in a door my dog uses?
Pet-resistant screen, a heavier coated mesh, holds up to paws and noses much better than standard insect mesh. It is available as an upgrade in a new custom door or as a rescreen in a door with a sound frame.
Can I see screen door materials before ordering?
Yes. We bring samples to your home so you can feel the grade of the frame, compare mesh and choose a frame color that matches your patio door.
Read more: Screen doors · Pet screens
Sources: NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Reno-Tahoe International Airport) (opens in a new tab) · Efficient Windows Collaborative, Window Glossary (opens in a new tab)
Since 1997 · Sparks, Nevada
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