Changing out the Storm Door

When it comes to the outside of my house, there wasn’t much that I wanted to change but I knew the entrance needed a refresh. I really wanted to replace the storm door because the white felt like it didn’t match with the shutters and I really did not like how thick the frame was. The thickness of the frame really obscured the door and I just didn’t like the look of it.

So in the upgrade I was looking for two things:

  1. black to match the shutters
  2. and an option for a screen, preferably built in (because I know who I am as a person and I would never switch out the glass to a screen)

And so after searching, I landed on the Andersen Retractable screen door. I liked how thin the frame was, and the retractable screen. Only the top part of the door turns into a screen but it is so easy to slide down the glass to reveal it. This was a much better option for me than switching out the screen for the season.

After purchasing, I decided to install it myself because how hard could it be to install a door? Well let me tell you – it was hard! not physically but mentally. There were so many pieces to this door. When I opened up the manual it was like looking at a different language – ikea could never compete.

I definitely recommend having a second person help decipher the instructions and provide moral support. In the end, was I able to do it? Yes. Was it my easiest DIY? No.


Rachel Williams

Artist | Designer | Educator

Making mistakes and fixing them, so you don’t have to