You can find several options for retractable screen doors these days that are super easy to install provided you don't have adobe or stucco construction and you don't have level footing inside and out. Unfortunately, I was unable to use these solutions out of the box due to the following issues:
- Due to the need for brick molding, we have nowhere on the outside of the doorframe to install the screen slider bars.
- Also due to requirement of brick molding, we have nowhere on the outside of the doorframe to drill a hole for the top slide bolt.
- Due to the need for a step, we have nowhere to a drill hole for the bottom slide bolt (or, if you have a tiled patio, you may simply not want to). In my case, I would have had to drill into the grout.
Adapting for the Slider Bars
To create a surface to mount the slider bars, I bought two 1x4s. I cut these to the height of the doorframe and mounted them to the doorframe using 3 deck screws. The slider bars only mount with two screws each so this seemed sufficient.
Note: Initially, I thought I needed two 1x5s because the slider bolts would rub against the stucco at the top of the door but, when I received my retractable screens, I could see the slider bolt assemblies are adjustable and lower them enough to fit under the stucco edge.
To push these adapters just slightly inward to make sure they did not rest against the stucco, I used some heavy duty foam tape. I put the deck screws through the side with the foam tape and tightened them down such that there was a slight gap between the adapters and the stucco.
(above: screw fastening through gray foam tape)
(above: minimal gap between stucco & 1x4)
Creating stops for the Slide Bolts
Fabricating L Brackets
As an alternative to drilling into our tile patio or the stucco, I created two L brackets out of perforated steel to mount to the tracks. I could not find any prefab L brackets available that were short enough to work for the distance between the tracks and the bolts.
Fastening L Brackets
The most important point here is probably that you should be sure to use screws short enough to avoid protruding so far into the track that it might interfere with the screen's operation or tear it up. As a secondary point, you may have to use a washer or two to push the L bracket into the right location such that the slide bolt slides easily into the hole.
Having worked around these issues, we are able to enjoy the simplicity and cost effectiveness of retractable screens designed for brick molding doorframes.
Additional Tasks
We plan to remove the whole assembly to finish the wood and add some thin weather stripping along the tracks to avoid any lizards strolling on in.
