A screen door is an important feature of the garage, especially during the warm weather. It is mostly made from wire mesh with very tiny holes and is stretched over the door space. This means that air will circulate freely when the door is open but birds, insects, and rodents will not find their way into the garage.
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A garage needs enough ventilation especially during the warm seasons when the expanding air can easily make the place feel stuffy. Considering the different chemicals that are stored in the garage and the fumes emitted by the vehicles during ignition, sufficient circulation of air is mandatory.
A storm door is a different type of screen door that is meant to act as a barrier during storms. Storm doors are made from glass inserts and an interchangeable sliding screen.
Besides the materials used in constructing, the other difference between a screen door and a storm door is in their application.
When planning to install a screen door, it is important to think long term because you do not want to bear the cost of repairing or replacing the screen every year.
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Benefits of Building a Screen Door for your Garage
Installing a screen door on your garage is beneficial in several ways including:
1. Enhancing Security
There are times especially during the warm seasons when you just want to aerate your garage by leaving the door and windows open for air to flow. Depending on the neighborhood you are living in, this can pose a security threat.
Opening up your garage means that people will be able to look inside, and some might not have good intentions.
To keep spies away and still enjoy the freedom of aerating your garage, you should build a screen door, and windows. This will allow you to open up the garage for the free flow of air, and still be sure that no strangers can peep inside.
2. Keeping Away Insects and Birds
When winter is approaching, insects and birds usually find a hiding spot in the garage. Remember most garages are packed with household junk that creates hiding spaces. There have been cases whereby even stray cats find their way into the garage and give birth in there in some hidden spot.
The problem with that is, the kittens might not get food if they are not discovered early enough. They will therefore die and the stench is what will attract the garage owner’s attention. The other scenario would be that of mice dying amid the junk.
Birds also make their nests in garages once they have access. Dangerous insects like wasps can also make their home in there. The best way to prevent such, therefore, would be to build a screen door and also consider putting up some screens on the windows.
3. Providing Natural Light and Sufficient Ventilation
Having a screen door on your garage means you can leave the main door open especially during the day. Having direct sunlight and good ventilation in the garage means that any wet areas will dry up faster and prevent molds from growing.
Sufficient ventilation in the garage is important. Several chemicals are stored in there such as pesticides, herbicides, oils, paints, and so on, alongside the fumes produced by the car during ignition.
In most cases, garages are not designed with enough ventilation. The inside, therefore, becomes stuffy during the warm seasons. Having a screen door will allow you to leave the door open and so that fresh air can replace the stuffy air in the garage.
How to Build a Screen Door for the Garage
This is an easy project that you can do during your free time by following these simple steps. The main advantage of DIY as opposed to buying ready-made is that you can customize the garage door to your liking.
1. Assemble the Materials
First, you will need to put together all the materials that you will need, to avoid making frequent trips to the stores. This will save you time. These materials include
- Planks of softwood
- Mesh or glass or whichever material you will use as the screen
- Glue
- Hydraulic hinges with screws
- Doorknob
- Saw
- Tape measure
- Level
- Pencil for doing the markings
- A strong enough stapler for wood
- Hammer
- Nails
- A drill that doubles up as a screwdriver
- Drilling bits and screw heads
2. Take Measurements for the Door Space
Using a tape measure, take measurements for the space where the screen door is supposed to cover. Make sure that the screen door’s frame flushes with the main door’s frame. This means that you will have to measure the dimensions of the existing door.
Remember to write down the measurements for reference.
3. Cut Out the Wood planks and Make the frame
The second step is to cut out the wood according to the recorded measurements. Considering you are using softwood, this process should not take a long time, and you only need the basic hand saw.
When buying the wood planks, check out for dead knots, the hard sections that will make it difficult to cut through and drive in the nails. If you force, the dead knot will fall off, leaving the wood with a hole at that particular place.
The other important factor to remember when cutting the wood is the corner joints. You need to get the measurements right, such that they will fit and form a right angle once you assemble the frame.
4. Put the Frame Together
Next is to assemble the pieces of wood to come up with the frame. You can hammer in the nails or drill holes and drive in the screws, whichever method you prefer. Use the level to ensure the frame will not slant.
Once the frame is ready, you should attach it to the door space. At this point, it is still possible to rectify any anomalies. Again, you have the freedom to decide whether you will use the drill and screws or a hammer and nails.
This is the step where you fix the hinges. Make sure they are well balanced so that your door can be balanced as well. The frame should also be firmly secured especially if you are building the screen door in anticipation of a storm.
In place of the hinges, you can have a sliding mechanism. However, to install the sliding mechanism, you need to involve a professional so that you can get it right. You can even go ahead and automate the door such that the sliding is remote controlled.
5. Place the Screen over the Frame
This is the last step in building a screen door for the garage. Depending on the material you are using as the screen, you can either use a stapler or glue. For a mesh screen, a stapler will work best while the glue is more appropriate if you are using glass and other such like materials.
Make sure the screen is well fitted without leaving any spaces on the side.
Before wrapping up, remember to fix the doorknob. You can opt to paint the frame or just apply some varnish on the wood and your garage screen door is complete.
This is a project that can take a few hours to complete especially if you had done your planning well enough. Alternatively, you can call in a carpenter to do the job.
Types of Garage Door Screen
1. Roll Up Door Screen
The cheapest and simplest garage door screen in the market. It may not last long if you often use it but if you only use your garage a few times a year then roll-up door screens are perfect for you.
Magnets, zippers, or hooks are used to install and secure roll-up door screens. Its vertical zipper is made to make it easier for you to get in and out of the garage.
2. Retractable Door Screen
This door screen is the advanced version in the market. It comes with remote control and power operation that will make determined criminals think twice. The only thing you must consider is to get a professional to do the job of installing this type of door screen to make sure it perfectly fits your garage door.
3. Sliding Door Screen
A sliding door screen is relatively simple to install than a retractable door screen. It may require you to cut size but if you have handy tools with you then you just have to simply follow the guide or instructions.
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