CHemenway
UPDATE OCT 2023: After a move to another state, I put this up and while it’s dirtier (because duh hangs outside plus I just haven’t had time to clean it properly), it is intact and still works great! Two dogs go in and out several times a day plus me plus stuff in my arms. 10 stars.
UPDATE Oct 2020: Still going strong after 6 months! Through wind and storm and about a dozen dog/person ins and outs a day, this is hanging straight and clean. Can’t recommend it enough.
ORIGINAL: I got the white, 80x32" screen door so we could leave the sliding glass door to the deck open, allow fresh air in, the dog in and out (and in and out), and us in and out with hands full. It comes with a screen repair kit, which I found very customer-conscious.
BLUF (bottom line up front): So far, I LOVE this door. Makes life so much easier! Dog can be left alone and I can go in and out with my hands full, and the bugs and birds stay where they belong. As with anything , this screen will probably work best and last longest if it's installed with care and not abused. CAVEAT: I've had it two weeks in three major thunderstorms and an average of 10 in-and-outs a day. If something happens to change my rating, I'll come back and update.
Highlights:
I did this without help; it took 3.5 hours total to clean area and install because I measured VERY WELL and didn't rush installation; DON'T PUT THE VELCRO ON THE FRAME FIRST! put it on the screen, then hang the screen; don't rely on adhesion and velcro only - use the tacks or other anchoring method especially at stress points; well-weighted so it hangs straight; magnets spring back immediately; dog learned <day how to use it; packed instructions could be better but website has info; direct rain gathers in screen and must be shaken out so keep towel nearby; does filter light out more than "real" screen door; no good way to cut/resize so need Plan B if it doesn't fit as imagined; very very worthwhile and a good value.
Details:
It took about 1.5 hours to measure, cut, and hang after I took about 2 hours to remove the existing screen door, thoroughly clean the entire vinyl frame area and vacuum every nook and cranny (why not? I had the ladder out anyway). I'm extremely meticulous about measuring and ensuring things like this are installed so they look professional and last. But cleaning is a MUST or you risk starting with weaknesses in the install.
In my case, the opening is 29" and the total available frame area is 31" which I knew going in; other screens were too narrow or the ratings weren't as good, or the screen was black, which I didn't want. It was just a little too wide to hang so the right side would fit on the door frame. Since the righthand side of the door is fixed (doesn't slide), I decided to adhere the vinyl to the glass, just outside the frame on that door. I know glass is easy to clean of adhesive if I ever wanted to remove it, and that adhesive sticks to glass better than anything so wouldn't need tacks there. It now looks like part of the frame from both sides, doesn't take away the light, and fits perfectly. BUT I had to be very deliberate about installing it so it would look good.
TIPS:
~ Clean and dry!
~ Do a dry run by measuring it up against the opening before you do anything else. Identify the main top corner where you'll start the installation.
~ Make sure you know which way you're hanging it before you start undoing the tape; there is really only one way, but it isn't evident at first and if you start peeling before you know that, it could be frustrating. (Instruction improvement needed.)
~ USE THE TACKS or something similar, even if you put it on vinyl or metal. I don't see how you could hang this and use it a lot without these anchors.
~ Put the tape on the screen before you hang the screen! Otherwise you truly risk a lopsided install. It isn't hard to hang the screen by undoing the tape along the frame as you go, with the screen on. And you won't get the leverage to press the velcro together that way.
~ Measure and cut the velcro before you take any tape off. Start at the TOP of each side of the screen to the bottom, then fill in the top area. Go slowly and press well as you go, keeping it straight. It probably doesn't matter if the top goes edge to edge or the sides do, but I'd do the top across and start the sides just under that (minimizes dirt/water entering the top and forcing velcro to start peeling).
~ When you have it up, you'll want to tack both the side and top catty-corner up there, and at each third along the top for larger screens (to relieve stress at the corners and center), then each side of the center opening at the top to provide anchors where the stress will be (six tacks total along the top for large screens and four for smaller ones). DO NOT tack in the center only! That is a stress point and the tack is likely to come out. Distribute the stress by putting in two tacks, one on each side of the opening, about three inches apart.
~ Run the tacks through both corners before you start so they're already through. If you have a nail-holder, that could be useful. Have your hammer and tacks ready on the ladder. Use good hammering skills so you don't bend the tack or break off the head (they are just fine if you do this right; they have grips around the head to keep them in place, too).
~ Start on a sturdy ladder by setting one of the top corners (with screen) exactly where you want it, peeling back the tape, and tacking a couple of inches from the top corner along the top. (Again, don't tack AT the corner; it's all about the physics of stress distribution). This is the hardest part because you'll have the weight of the screen to deal with and hammering the tack can be awkward. Use two or three good, direct strokes.
~ Peel the tape off the velcro as you go along the top, pressing it firmly in place, then tack it as you reach the center, then the other top corner.
~ Now you can easily run the velcro tape down each side, peeling and pressing as you go, since the top is anchored.
~ Go back and tack the sides, with an extra one near the bottom, especially above where it's likely to open as dogs and feet go in and out.
~ It adheres very firmly on glass (without tacks), as I found out. Also, in my case, I know that glass is very easy to clean of any residue if I ever need to remove this.
~ WARNING: Because it's adhered by velcro AND tacks, you won't be able to remove it easily for seasonal or other storage unless you remove the tacks as well. It wouldn't be a big deal to re-tack it again, but after awhile, you'll be leaving holes. If you plan to take it down, I'd do three things: 1) use screws or another easily-removable method to anchor the screen at the stress points; 2) put grommets in for the screws; and 3) cover the velcro with a separate "mate" to prevent it from getting dirty when the door isn't on it.
I hope this helps! Here's to happy living outdoors and letting all that's best about the outdoors in!
| Manufacturer | MAGZO |
|---|---|
| Part Number | WFG3280 |
| Item Weight | 0.001 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 0.1 x 34 x 81 inches |
| Item model number | WFG3280 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | Fit Door Size 32 x 80 Inch |
| Color | White |
| Material | Polyester |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
Marek
