Photo: touchstonewoodworks.com
Photo: mainemade.com
Photo: buildingonline.com
Photo: This Old House.com
We've been wanting to add wooden screen doors to our home so that the breeze can come through. We had one on the front when we moved in, a T bar style, but it ended up ripped last fall and we wanted another style. After seeing how beautiful Artie's door came out, I was really chomping at the bit. Artie has a lovely blog called Color Outside the Lines, you can read more about his door HERE .The problem we had, like many people with older homes, was that our door is not a standard length. Home Depot and Lowes both had a great selection of screen doors but none that would fit. We looked into woodworkers who would make a custom door but the price was high, as expected. Since I'm way too cheap....errr...budget conscious for that we decided to make an off the rack door work.
What you'll need to do is pick the door you like and then purchase a piece of wood (we used pine). You'll also need wood glue, dowels and some clamps. Here is our door and the extra piece of wood:
Measure how much extra you need at the bottom and cut your board to size. Here it is with the dowels in. After you have your dowels in place and the holes drilled on your extra board, cover it all with wood glue and stick your extra piece on there. Hold it together with clamps until it dries and voila....the door is the perfect length!
If you have a small space between the door and your extra piece of wood, a little putty can be used to make it look seamless. Then just paint it up and you have a "custom" door for a small price.
The door we picked has a removable screen so that makes painting or staining it much easier. I still have the second coat of paint to do and I'll show you the finished product. We also have the shutters back up, mulch in place and a place to sit on the porch. It's really coming along out there and having a place to sit with a cup of coffee and a magazine is wonderful. I'll be back with the finished pictures soon.
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th! We did a little camping and watched some fireworks. The weather cooperated, all in all a beautiful weekend!
25 comments:
I'm so excited to see how it turns out!
Now that is a good idea! I still want to put a slamming screen door on my pool house. I have looked at Lowe's but haven't checked the measurements yet. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Way to go! I need one too. Each summer we talk about it and never get around to it.
Love those old screen doors! That and dutch doors too. But neither one would work on the house we have right now -- I'll probably never have one of either. Looking forward to seeing yours!
Hi Michelle,
That is exactly what we had to do when we bought our screen door. We got ours for $35 at Menards and hubby had to add a piece to the bottom. That's the one that I just painted red on the front. Can't wait to see your finished project.
Hugs,
LeAnn:)
Great idea! We need 2 new screen doors, too, but our 1946 home doesn't make it easy finding ready made things. Doors are expensive!!
Can't wait to see the finished product.
Thanks for the great info! The doors in my old house are far from standard and I, too, have had the SHOCK of Custom Made doors. I love you idea for creating a door to fit all sizes. :)
You are always amazing me.
It looks perfect!!
YAY! I think we got the same door, sans the addition to make it work in your cutout. This looks fantastic and I can't wait to see how it's gonna look when it's all finished! Thanks so much for your compliments on the article, so nice of you - I appreciate it so much! And your blog is better than the paper! LOL! Look at that picture - one of the better ones I've taken of my house. ;) Talk soon!
My husband did the exact same thing for our 3 screen doors. They look awesome. Can't wait to see yours!
As a side note-this is the third old home I have owned. The first was built in 1911, a Craftsman. The 2cd was a victorian built in 1879. Our present home is a farmhouse built from 1890-1900. My criteria given to each realtor each time was the...the screen door had to squeek when closing! It just sounded like home to me! SOLD!
I know, I'm quirky ( at least that's what hubs says)
Blessings, Misha
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www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
I can't wait to see it when it is all done Michelle!
I love screen doors. There is something nostalgic about them. Can't wait to see how yours turns out!
yes, there is something SO country about the slam of the screen door...and at a beach house........
Very nicely done Michelle! :)
Great idea!
I love do-it-yourself projects!
I'm sure the finished product will be as lovely as all your other projects!
Good luck!
What a girl will do for her screen door!! What a great idea, I can't wait to see it all done(; I want one so bad but my doors all open out, it's the law in Florida that your doors open out not in so no screen door for me ):
Hugs~Kelly
How fun - I love screen doors and the breeze coming through the home.
Ours is very similar, but we also got an 18-light window insert for the colder months. Love the slam, although my husband keeps trying to fix it. Sounds like summer to me, but that window insert makes it so much heavier that it's dangerous. Thanks for a great post!
I'd love to get a new screen door for my old Dutch Colonial..., instead I ended up painting the old one and replace the screen..., I love the idea of a wooden screen door!
That will look so nice. I love screen doors and fresh air!
Oh hi there,
I'm sorry I popped in earlier without leaving a comment...I got distracted and flittered off. However, I've been over before and LOVE your site.
I always follow annonymously so as to not hurt feelings. So in a few minutes you will see me as a sillouette at the end of your list. : )
I love the sound of a sqeeky slamming screen door, it is perfect for your charming home. I would like to thank you for your comment over at Martys Met Monday guest post of my kitchen and dining room changes. I remember you from RMS and you always left such nice comments on my spaces,it is nice to see you here, Hugs Kathysue
Everything is very beautiful bravo congratulations, thank you for sharing:) bless you and your family:)
I am so impressed at all your have been doing and how beautiful it all is!
We have lived here for 7 years and I have yet to do half of your list!! You are amazing!
Love,
Sue who so wants a door like yours!!
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