Covered on a Rosemead visit
- New storm or full-view doors mounted on an existing exterior door frame
- Interchangeable glass and screen panels set up so you can swap them by season
- Pneumatic closers replaced or adjusted so the door stops slamming
- Handle sets, latches and keyed locks swapped on existing storm doors
- Bottom sweeps and expander seals renewed to close the gap at the threshold
- Wind chains and hold-open washers added or replaced
Outside what we take on
- Cutting new openings for doors or windows.
- Glass replacement; a glass shop handles panes and sealed units.
- Garage door openers, springs and tracks.
Storm doors on Rosemead ranch houses
With a 1959 median build year, a lot of Rosemead homes still have their original wood front door frames, often painted many times and sometimes a little out of square. A storm door kit expects a straight, flat brick mold to screw into, so the first part of the job is checking the opening and shimming the hinge rail where the frame has drifted.
Back doors that open onto a slab patio take the most abuse: kids, dogs and wind slam them against the closer every day. A worn closer or bent wind chain is a cheap fix compared with a new door, and it is usually the first thing we check.
How a storm door goes on
Measure the opening
Width and height inside the brick mold, and which side the hinges should be on.
Square up the frame
Low or bowed spots on the jamb are shimmed so the door hangs straight.
Hang and seal
The hinge rail, door, drip cap and sweep go on, and the latch is lined up with the strike.
Tune the closer
Closing speed is set so the door latches without banging.
When it needs more than a storm door
A rotted door frame, a sill that has rusted or split, or a new opening cut in the wall is carpentry or contractor work. We can repair small rot spots first and tell you when the frame itself needs replacing.
While we’re out for this, Rosemead customers often add door threshold replacement, weatherstripping and door sweeps, lock and smart lock installation, window screen repair or peephole installation.
What to text
A photo of the door from outside with the frame in view, the width inside the trim, and a link to the storm door if you have one picked out.
Storm door questions
Can a handyman install a storm door?
Yes. Hanging a storm door kit on an existing frame is standard handyman work.
Why does my storm door slam shut?
The closer has lost its oil or is set too fast. Adjusting or replacing it fixes the slam.
How do I fix a storm door that won’t stay open?
The hold-open washer on the closer rod is worn. It is a small part we replace.
How much does storm door installation cost?
It depends on the door and the shape of your frame. Text a photo for a free estimate.
Do I need to buy the storm door first?
No. Either way works. Send the size and we can tell you which kits fit before you buy.
Can you replace a storm door handle?
Yes. Most handle sets swap out without removing the door.
Worth a read: what our weatherstripping exterior doors guide says about storm door installation.
Door tips for Rosemead homes
- Sealing drafty exterior doorsLight, dust or drafts around your front door? How to check weather stripping, sweeps and thresholds on Rosemead homes. Text a photo for a free estimate.
- Hollow-core doors: holes, sags and latch troubleHow we repair the hollow-core doors common in Rosemead's 1950s ranch houses: punched holes, loose hinges, misaligned latches, and swapping a slab.
Jobs like this one are everyday work for our Rosemead handyman service, from the blocks off Garvey Avenue to the streets near Rosemead Park. A photo by text gets you a quote first.
Part of door and cabinet repair. You can also browse all our services or read about repairs in postwar Rosemead homes.