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Storm Windows, Doors & Screens

Question
My aluminum back storm door blew off in a high windstorm and has not closed properly since. A man offered to fix it for a $100.00 and a similar door cost $400.00. What should I do?

Answer
My solution is to buy a wooden storm door for less money; it will last for years and resist any damage from getting blown out.

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Question
One of my storm doors will not close. I have to pull it behind me to close it enough to latch. This happens whether I have a screen or glass in the
Door. What's wrong?

Answer
Most storm doors have one or two-type pneumatic closers that allow the door to close quietly and surely. There is a large, movable washer at one end of the closer that can be moved to hold the door open when necessary. Make sure this washer is not causing the door to balk at closing. Or, the closers are out of adjustment, and you can turn a screw to increase or decrease the tension. The closers are notorious for getting out of adjustment, and sometimes have to be adjusted according to whether they have glass over screen inserts or not. If nothing works, install a new closer?

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Question
The storm screens in my windows have white spots that do not seem to come off. How can I remove them?

Answer
Those white spots are mineral buildups on the aluminum screen. To remove, place the screen on a flat surface such as a driveway or a picnic table. Paint vinegar or lime-away on the screen, then let it sit for a while. Then scrub with a brush. Repeat on the other side. If there is little improvement, you can replace the screen with anodized charcoal-color screen. One added thought: Do this with one screen at a time and put it back before you take another one. It is very easy to mixed up screens. There may be variations in sizes, and is difficult if not impossible to get a good fit with a mismatched screen.

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Question
I am using a 1/16-inch plexi-glass for inside storm windows, taped into the casing. I have to cut two big pieces, But How?

Answer
Buy a scoring tool, called a plastic cutter, in a hardware store. It is a bent flat steel bar wrapped in a green plastic for comfort when working. There are two points for the scoring at one end of the tool. Mark plexi-glass where you want to cut, and score on this line; score several times, then staple.

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