Signs You Need a Sliding Screen Door Replacement

Signs You Need a Sliding Screen Door Replacement

We often take our sliding screen doors for granted. They allow us to leave the main sliders open to enjoy the breeze and light without letting insects and other pests in. They also sport simple construction and are easy to operate, not to mention easy to maintain and replace.

Speaking of which, if you notice any of the following 5 conditions, it might be time for you to start looking for a sliding screen door replacement.

• The frame is warped or bent
  
  This is first and foremost the main indicator that you need to replace the whole door and can’t just make a piecemeal patch by replacing parts. If age, regular wear and tear, or acute abuse has caused your screen door’s frame to warp, you may need an entire sliding screen door replacement. In limited instances you might be able to bend the frame back to shape, but once stressed the damage is likely to be re-inflicted if the door is roughly handled. The best suggestion in this case is simply to replace the door.
   
• The frame is badly corroded
  
  Sometimes a sliding screen door will sustain damage that does not arise as a direct result of abuse. Occasionally, the elements will cause such corrosion to the aluminum frame of the door that it will need to be replaced. Aluminum, though it is more corrosion resistant than steel, still will eventually oxidize, become brittle, and flake away. After so many years, you will need to install a sliding screen door replacement no matter how well you maintain your existing one.
   
• The track is damaged beyond reasonable cleaning or repair
  
  Occasionally it’s the sliding track that incurs the need to replace a sliding screen door. Common issues affecting sliding screen door tracks include corrosion, wear-related damage arising from abuse or the accumulation of sand, mud, dust or other particulate matter, and damage arising from mechanical abuse that can cause deformation to the track. In addition to sliding screen door replacements we also sell replacement tracks and parts, so check out our collection before you commit to replacing the whole door.
   
• The cost of parts is more than it would cost to replace the whole door
  
  Sometimes, you don’t need to replace the whole sliding screen door. In fact, more often than not, you don’t. Most of the time all that needs to be replaced is the sliding screen door handle, or the rollers, or even just the screen and spline. If, however, you need to replace a whole bunch of parts or hardware at once, to the effect that the sum of the replacements is higher than the cost of a sliding screen door replacement, it might make more financial sense just to replace the whole thing at once.
   
• It’s very old and time for an upgrade
  
  Lastly, there may be times when you simply want to replace a sliding screen door because it is time for an upgrade, either because your current door is very old, or simply because it is time for an aesthetic upgrade for your home. Whatever your reasons, we carry a wide range of sliding screen door replacements that can help you make the upgrade, repair or replacement.

Wait! You Don’t Need a Sliding Screen Door Replacement Yet

Before you spring for a sliding screen door replacement, remember that much of the time you can author a fix that doesn’t require you to replace the entire thing.

Here are the top three things to look for that may indicate you don’t need to replace the whole door and can get away with more basic rectifications.

• Just clean the track
  Oftentimes, a sliding screen door will stick in its track, or even just roll roughly, because the track is very dirty or has a lot of corrosion. Both of these things can make it very difficult to slide the door open and close; sometimes they get so bad that by forcing the door you can wrench the handle free or even deform the frame, which will necessitate a replacement.
  
  Open the door and check the track. If there is a whole lot of sand or dirt in there, clean it out. Use compressed air to blast out everything that can be dislodged, then get a vacuum with a brush attachment and clear out the rest. Once that’s done, use a damp microfiber rag to remove what’s left. If there’s a lot of rust in there, use a brass brush to remove as much as possible and then repeat the process.
  
  After that, lubricate the track and try the door. You may be surprised at how smoothly it runs on the track after a good cleaning.
   
• Replace the rollers
  Sometimes it’s not the track but the sliding screen door rollers that are the problem. These can also become occluded with dirt and other debris. They can also be seized by rust or corrosion. While they can be cleaned and restored, it is usually much easier and much more cost-effective just to replace the rollers. Try that and it should get the door rolling smoothly again.
   
• Just replace the screen
  Some guides will tell you need a whole sliding screen door replacement just because there is damage to the screen. Even if your screen is ripped to shreds, as long as you have some screen mesh and a spline that will fit your door’s frame, you can replace it yourself with nothing more than a basic splining tool. It is one of the easiest fixes you can make to any door or window, period.

Shop Sliding Screen Door Replacements and Parts

Whether you ultimately need a complete sliding screen door replacement or just end up needing some door rollers or some screen, spline, and a splining tool, we have you covered. Shop our full collection and if you have any questions about anything we sell, or about parts or hardware compatibility, get in touch with us at 727-386-4629 to speak with a live person that can help you get the answers you need.