Help! My Screen Door isn’t Closing Properly, Does it Need to be Replaced?

If your screen door isn’t closing properly, the entrance to your home is compromised, so it’s something that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. What should you do to fix or replace the door to ensure your household is protected?

Security and screen doors are on the frontlines of the elements all year round. They’ve seen some pretty wild weather, from hail to wind to the harsh rays of the Australian sun. If you have older screen doors or front doors made of inferior products such as wood or plastic, you will probably notice damage after a few years. If your screen door isn’t closing properly, does it need to be replaced? 

Let’s take a look at some reasons why your screen door is no longer doing its job and see if there is a way to fix it.

You have a screw loose

A literal screw, that is! Check the hinges of your screen door to see whether any of the screws are damaged or falling out. When a screw is loose, it can affect the angle at which the door swings open and shut. Your fix for the problem might be as simple as digging out a screwdriver and tightening the fasteners to make sure the hinges sit flush with the frame.

Your doorframe has swollen

A wooden door frame is subject to the weather, just as your screen door is. Any water or heat damage can cause the frame to swell or buckle, meaning your screen door will no longer fit inside the frame. Paint swell can also have the same effect. In this case, you could sand back the frame wherever the door catches, but you should bear in mind that this is a temporary fix. If the frame is degraded, the damage will get worse over time. Eventually, you will need to replace the frame and the screen door along with it.

Your house has shifted

It’s possible that the issue has nothing to do with your screen door at all – rather, that the house has shifted, causing the frame to move out of alignment. You could fix the problem yourself for door frames slightly out of alignment by sanding back the frame in problematic areas. If your door frame is severely out of alignment, there is likely a more substantial problem with the house. You may have to call in a builder to jack up the house from underneath or to replace any rotten stumps. 

In these cases, you will probably find that your screen door is still out of alignment as the frame is unlikely to settle back perfectly into its original place. If some quick carpentry work can’t fix it, you may find you need to replace it.

There is damage to the screen door

If the screen door itself has been damaged or affected by the elements, such as warping or swelling, it is rarely cost-effective to repair the door. You would be better off replacing your screen door with a screen or security door made of aluminium or steel for durability. A door covered by an extended warranty means that the manufacturer stands behind their product, meaning it will last you a long time. Rather than risk needing to repair or place the door in a few years, find yourself a screen or security door that will stand the test of time.

What should I replace my damaged screen door with?

If your screen door isn’t closing properly because it is damaged beyond repair, you’ll need to start shopping around for your replacement. So, what are your options?

Flyscreen doors are a great way to keep insects out. They are cost-effective screen options that are visually appealing while also providing a visual barrier to the indoors. Jim’s Security Doors can install flyscreens in various mesh options, from lightweight fibreglass to a heavier pet mesh option.

Security screen doors are the next step up, providing airflow and insect protection like your old screen door, but with the bonus of also defending your home against intruders.

All of Jim’s Security Doors security screens are made to surpass the Australian Standards, meaning they will effectively protect your household and belongings from burglars. So, what are your options for security screens?

• ScreenGuard Security Doors are made from high-tensile woven marine-grade stainless steel mesh set in a heavy-duty aluminium frame and are fitted with a triple locking system. ScreenGuard doors are covered by a 10-year product warranty valid from the date of installation.
• PerfGuard Security Doors are an excellent choice for customers looking for a robust and attractive security door that allows easy visual access without compromising your level of protection. PerfGuard doors are covered by a seven-year warranty from the date of installation.
• Diamond Grille Security Doors are aesthetically pleasing, can be colour matched to your home and are still an outstanding solution for home security despite their low price point. The mesh style available for diamond grilles is varied – you can choose from standard flyscreen mesh, pet mesh, perforated aluminium, or privacy/one-way mesh.

Jim’s Security Doors offers free measure and quote services on our range of security doors to allow you to easily choose your replacement screen door. If you would like a quote for any of the screen doors listed above, please call us on 13 15 46.