FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Windows & Doors

Guide Home
  • Choosing Windows
  • Installing Windows In New Walls
  • Retrofitting Windows
  • Window Repairs
  • Door Basics
  • Interior Doors
  • Exterior Doors
How-To

Installing Exterior French Doors: Hang Screen Doors

Complete the French door project by installing the screen doors.

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
    • captions off, selected

      This is a modal window.

      Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

      Text
      Background
      Window
      Font Size
      Text Edge Style
      Font Family

      End of dialog window.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      We’re getting ready to install the screen doors. Step No. 1: Read the instructions.

      Read the instructions, lay out all of the hardware, and make sure you have all the parts and pieces before you get started. It makes your job a lot easier.

      All Videos in This Series


      Introduction

      Prepare the Rough Opening

      Install the Doors

      Adjust for Plumb, Level, and Square

      Install Flashing and Hardware

      Hang Screen Doors


      The bulb seal is kind of wiggly. Lay it out and clamp it to your worksurface so that it’s nice and straight, and you can measure it with your tape and then trim it to the length you need. Install the bulb at the top of the door opening, on the exterior. Measure the side lengths of the door opening and cut more bulb seal to that length. Install it.

      Next, put the hinges on the passive-side screen door. Lay a piece of cardboard down on the worksurface and place the screen on top. The wide stile is the bottom. I make pencil marks on the left side of the door so that I don’t put the hinges on the wrong side.

      When I’m laying out the hardware, I’m very methodical and put the right fasteners with the right hardware. This way, I don’t get mixed up and use the wrong part in the wrong place.

      Set the clutch on the gun at around 4 to prevent stripping out the hinge screws.

      The instructions call for a rubber mallet; I didn’t bring one. I don’t want to damage the hinges as I set them onto the frame, so I’m going to make myself a rubber mallet. I wrap a small piece of flexible flashing on the end of a hammer. Rubber mallet!

      I’ve got a template supplied by the manufacturer that tells where to set the first hinge. Place the template on the side of the door frame, at the top. At the bottom of the template, set the first hinge and tap it into place with the rubber mallet. Pilot out the holes and set a couple of screws in.

      I’ve got the top hinge on, so I’ll use that to register the door. And then the bottom hinge goes where it needs to go.

      Now that the first door is up, we’ll do the same process for the right-side door.

      After both doors are up, the instructions say to take the passive door off and install an astragal. So, take off the passive door, lay it on the worksurface, and, from the inside of the screened panel, install the astragal. Line up the astragal at the bottom and pull it tight. The door has a slot in it that tells me whether I need to make an adjustment in or out. Put the hole right in the middle and set the screw; it’ll give a little room to make any adjustments.

      Install a catch for the passive door. Set it on the astragal and drill out two pilot holes. The catch is installed with two little rivets. Set the rivets in the catch and place them against the drilled-out holes. Use a hammer against a siding nailer punch to set the rivets and catch in place.

      This is pretty standard screen door hardware. Install the spring skinny side in. Set the exterior and interior handles on the door and screw them into place. I’ve got to drill a hole dead center in the exterior handset while it’s in position. The easiest way to do that is with a vix bit, or a self-centering drill bit.

      A common mistake when installing door closers: We’re at the bottom of the piston travel; if I install that up against the door right now, it might not close all the way. Instead, I put a little tension on it and bring the stop out by 1/4 inch, just past the groove, so the door will always be in tension with the closer.

      Close the door and get the closer parallel with the door jamb. Mark a pencil line in the long slot and put that screw in first. If the door shuts correctly, then do the final screw.

      The speed adjustment screw at the end of the closer allows you to adjust how fast the door closes. If the door is closing too quickly, tighten up the screw a little bit. If you need more speed, just loosen up the screw.

      Finally, install both sweeps to complete the hardware installation on the screen doors.

      Before “delivering” the door to the customer, take off all of the plastic wrap and wipe down the glass and the brass.

      Previous: Installing Exterior French Doors: Install Flashing and Hardware Next: A New Door Fits an Old Jamb

      Guide

      Windows & Doors

      Chapter

      Exterior Doors

      Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters

      Log in or create an account to post a comment.

      Sign up Log in

      Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

      Windows & Doors

      Windows & Doors

      Trusted, comprehensive guidance from the pros for choosing, installing, replacing, and repairing windows and doors on any house

      View Project Guide

      View All Project Guides »

      Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Windows & Doors Project Guide.

      Start Free Trial

      Choosing Windows
      • Window Types
      • Design and Materials
      • Energy-Efficient Windows
      Installing Windows In New Walls
      • Installation, Start to Finish
      • Head Flashing for Windows
      • Video Series: Nail-Fin Window over Zip System Sheathing
      • Video Series: Nail-Fin Window over Exterior Rigid-Foam Insulation
      • Video Series: Nail-Fin Window over Housewrap
      • Video Series: Nail-Fin Window over Peel-and-Stick Housewrap
      • Video Series: Nail-Fin Window over a Fluid-Applied WRB
      • Video Series: Weatherproof Window Installation
      Retrofitting Windows
      • Removing the Old, Installing the New
      • Video Series: How to Replace a Window
      • Video Series: Install a Full-Frame Replacement Window in a Brick Wall
      • Video Series: Install an Insert Replacement Window in a Brick Wall
      • Video Series: Retrofit a Flanged Window
      Window Repairs
      • Restoring Old Windows
      • Repairs and Upgrades
      Door Basics
      • Tools & Jigs for Door Hanging
      • How to Install Doors
      • Hinges
      • Handles, Knobs, and Locksets
      • Fixing Door Problems
      Interior Doors
      • Prehung Doors
      • Pocket Doors
      • Other Types of Doors
      • Custom-Built Doors
      Exterior Doors
      • Door Choices and Design
      • Installing Entry Doors
      • Building Exterior Doors
      • Installing French Doors
      • Replacing a Door
      • Adding Weatherstripping and Sweeps

      Fine Home Building

      Newsletter Sign-up

      • Fine Homebuilding

        Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

      • Green Building Advisor

        Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

      • Old House Journal

        Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters

      Follow

      • Fine Homebuilding

        Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
        • LinkedIn
      • GBA Prime

        Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • YouTube
      • Old House Journal

        Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

        Subscribe Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
      • Fine Homebuilding

        Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X
        • LinkedIn
      • GBA Prime

        Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

        Start Free Trial Now
        • Facebook
        • YouTube
      • Old House Journal

        Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

        Subscribe Now
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • X

      Membership & Magazine

      • Online Archive
      • Start Free Trial
      • Magazine Subscription
      • Magazine Renewal
      • Gift a Subscription
      • Customer Support
      • Privacy Preferences
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Careers
      • Terms of Use
      • Site Map
      • Do not sell or share my information
      • Privacy Policy
      • Accessibility
      • California Privacy Rights

      © 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

      Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

      • Home Group
      • Antique Trader
      • Arts & Crafts Homes
      • Bank Note Reporter
      • Cabin Life
      • Cuisine at Home
      • Fine Gardening
      • Fine Woodworking
      • Green Building Advisor
      • Garden Gate
      • Horticulture
      • Keep Craft Alive
      • Log Home Living
      • Military Trader/Vehicles
      • Numismatic News
      • Numismaster
      • Old Cars Weekly
      • Old House Journal
      • Period Homes
      • Popular Woodworking
      • Script
      • ShopNotes
      • Sports Collectors Digest
      • Threads
      • Timber Home Living
      • Traditional Building
      • Woodsmith
      • World Coin News
      • Writer's Digest
      Active Interest Media logo
      X
      X
      This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

      Main Menu

      • How-To
      • Design
      • Tools & Materials
      • Video
      • Blogs
      • Forum
      • Project Guides
      • Reader Projects
      • Magazine
      • Members
      • FHB House

      Podcasts

      • FHB Podcast
      • ProTalk

      Webinars

      • Upcoming and On-Demand

      Podcasts

      • FHB Podcast
      • ProTalk

      Webinars

      • Upcoming and On-Demand

      Popular Topics

      • Kitchens
      • Business
      • Bedrooms
      • Roofs
      • Architecture and Design
      • Green Building
      • Decks
      • Framing
      • Safety
      • Remodeling
      • Bathrooms
      • Windows
      • Tilework
      • Ceilings
      • HVAC

      Magazine

      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues
      • Magazine Index
      • Subscribe
      • Online Archive
      • Author Guidelines

      All Access

      • Member Home
      • Start Free Trial
      • Gift Membership

      Online Learning

      • Courses
      • Project Guides
      • Reader Projects
      • Podcast

      More

      • FHB Ambassadors
      • FHB House
      • Customer Support

      Account

      • Log In
      • Join

      Newsletter

      Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

      Signing you up...

      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
      See all newsletters
      See all newsletters

      Follow

      • X
      • YouTube
      • instagram
      • facebook
      • pinterest
      • Tiktok

      Join All Access

      Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

      Start Your Free Trial

      Subscribe

      FHB Magazine

      Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

      Subscribe

      We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

      Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

      Start your FREE trial

      Already a member? Log in

      Privacy Policy Update

      We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

      Cookies

      Analytics

      These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

      Advertising/Social Media

      These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

      Essential

      These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

      Delete My Data

      Delete all cookies and associated data