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Storm Door Wind Damage


Since storm doors, and even screen doors, open outwardly, they are vulnerable to wind damage from strong gusts of wind, if the door opens into the direction of the wind. These prevailing winds can cause damage to many of the major parts a storm door. A prevailing wind blows mainly from a single general direction.

Without protective hardware, a storm door that opens into the wind can really become damaged in no time at all. These photos show the damaged that was cause to this storm door by the wind repeatedly over-opening the door beyond the limits of the door closer.

Wind damage: bent closer arm, mounting bracket pulled from the door jamb, and edge of storm door dented from closer arm

 

Door becomes misaligned (indicated by arrow) and no longer closes properly.

 

Top storm door hinge is completely cracked, causing the door to become misaligned.

 

Nearby items can become damaged as well by an over-opening storm door. This flag pole mounting bracket completely cracked in half when the storm door struck it.

 

Optimally, installing a storm door to open against the prevailing winds would be best, but this is not always possible, due to various site situations which may include the constraints of an exterior situation right outside the door (such as the porch design, or the location of a set of steps).

Even simple things can determine which direction the storm door will open, such as the preference of the homeowner, or ease of use, any of which will carry more weight than the concern for which way the wind blows. That’s where protective hardware can make a difference.

 

Protective Hardware

A storm door chain stop is a simple piece of hardware that can help prevent wind damage to the door, its hinges, and the pneumatic closer. The chain stop will limit the distance that the door can swing open, preventing the door from over-opening.

 

For most homeowners, installing a chain stop can be a pretty easy DIY project. The installation instructions can be found on the product’s packaging, or inside the package, and are easy to follow. But, of course, if you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, you can always get a handyman to install it for you.

The chain stop comes with 2 brackets – one attaches to the inside top of the storm door, and the other, to the top of the door jamb, and a chain, that includes a heavy duty shock absorbing spring, stretches between the brackets. Some chain stops come with nails, but nails can pull out of the door jamb under the force of the wind.  Screws will provide a stronger connection.

Chain stops are available at hardware stores, online, and home improvement centers, and for a few dollars, it can help to protect your storm door investment.

 

 

Photo credit:  betterOutdoorLivingatHome,  Stanley Hardware

 

 

 

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