A DIY screen door for <$20

[klpauba]

I finished up a mod to add a screen to the upper opening of the dutch door.

I picked up a universal screen kit at lowes (around $12), cut it to the dimension of the opening minus 1/4" or so and then assembled it.

Next, I used a length of 1/2" adhesive-backed magnetic tape (around $2) and applied it to the bottom of the screen frame. Notice the two holes that I drilled (just through the back portion of the frame). These were made so that the rivets that hold the latch that joins the two halves of the door (that is attached to the bottom half of the door) recess themselves in the bottom piece of the screen frame (take a look at that picture).

I then removed some old weatherstrip foam from the top stop on the bottom dutch door, cleaned it with TSP and applied another strip of adhesive-backed magnetic tape ($2). See the two rivets there?

Now, the bottom of the screen is magnetically joined to the door. It holds well yet is easy to separate with just a bit of force.

I then fashioned a sheet metal (aluminum) hinge using scrap and some trial-and-error. Yeah, it's a little rough but I'll file it for smoother curves before I paint it. I had a magnetic version but I wasn't satisfied with its holding power so I opted to screw the hinge to the top of the door.

The hinge has a hole that slips over the hinge pin of the main door.

The final two pictures show the door with the screen attached in the open and closed positions.

All that I have left to do is paint the hing and install the screen. I might have to put some type of stop on the lower door when the screen is installed. As it opens to the maximum, the hinge interferes with the top half of the dutch door that is latched open.