Storm Door Installation

I was curious if anyone here has added lexan or something to the screen door to make it more of a solid storm door. I ahve seen other units with this mod allowing them to always have the door open even while running the A/C or heat.

Thanks!!

I've seen (and borrowed) photos of this mod - either from the other Wildcat forum or from another site (different manufacturer) I visit. It looked good.

Tater

What a timely question. I have mine in the basement now and will have my screen door complete tomorrow. I researched eight different ways of doing it and I chose to not get rid of the screen in the door, since we dry camp a little and still need the fresh air sometimes. I think the way that I am doing it came from this portal, so if I did, I don't won't to step on their toes and take credit for their invention. I had my two lexan panels pre cut from a template that I made out of cardboard. I used the industrial strength double sided velcro and framed around the inside of my screen door. Make sure the velcro is the WHITE color, so that it will plend with the screen door and you wont notice it. Now the plan is to attach it when I run the A/C but also have the ability to remove it when we want the fresh air. I will attach the pictures when I get it all done in a few days. The pictures will be a whole lot better than me trying to describe it. We are really looking forward on getting this done. See you in a couple of days.

I added upper and lower storms in the fall of 07. The following spring, we were taking them out of the door tracks in preparation for warmer weather, and the upper piece cracked and broke in two. It wasn't an expensive project to have a glass shop cut to size, but I was disappointed that it broke so easily. However, it might have been the way we had the pieces installed.

TC

jamesb wrote:What a timely question. I have mine in the basement now and will have my screen door complete tomorrow. I researched eight different ways of doing it and I chose to not get rid of the screen in the door, since we dry camp a little and still need the fresh air sometimes. I think the way that I am doing it came from this portal, so if I did, I don't won't to step on their toes and take credit for their invention. I had my two lexan panels pre cut from a template that I made out of cardboard. I used the industrial strength double sided velcro and framed around the inside of my screen door. Make sure the velcro is the WHITE color, so that it will plend with the screen door and you wont notice it. Now the plan is to attach it when I run the A/C but also have the ability to remove it when we want the fresh air. I will attach the pictures when I get it all done in a few days. The pictures will be a whole lot better than me trying to describe it. We are really looking forward on getting this done. See you in a couple of days.

How much was the lexan, if you dont mind me asking.

Did you get it from Lowes or a glass shop?

I went to a local glass shop and had it cut. The dealer talked me out of Lexan brand. The plexiglass brand was $ 71.00 and the Lexan brand was $119.00. That was buying the whole sheet, since the screen door takes most of it. And I'd say most glass shops would charge you for a whole sheet. He did say that plexiglass will scratch easier than lexan. I got the thinest sheet that they sold so that it would be light weight. I finished my door last night. All I need to do now, is to put it back on the WC and take some pictures. See you soon.

jamesb wrote: All I need to do now, is to put it back on the WC and take some pictures. See you soon.

James,

Have you had a chance to post those pictures?

I really want to make this upgrade but want to see your finished product as a guide.

Ive done it to just the lower half of the door to keep the dogs paws from ruining the screen, so far so good.

Cummins2500hd,
I have everything done, looks great and have some great pictures that I have been trying to post them for days. Not too user freindly way of posting pictures. If you send me a private message with your email address, I will gladly send you the pictures. But either way, I have not gave up on posting them on this site. When something ticks me off; I just try harder. Sorry for the delay. Thanks.

I have finally figured out how to post the pictures. It wasn't as hard as I was trying to make it.They are posted in the gallery. Taking pictures of the clear lexan panels didn't show up too good, but really, when you get them installed, you just don't notice them. It's like having a storm door on the WC.

Nice job, really clean looking install.

We have been excited to see your pictures, been trying to find in gallery, but no luck yet.
Will keep trying.
Welcome, we are newbies also. This site has really been helpful on DIY and just nice to see fellow campers sharing stories.

Happy Camping
Bert

ok, quit laughing at me, I found the pictures. Sometimes you can't see what is staring at you.....
Anyway. Great job on the door! Looks very nice.

Happy Camping to all.
Bert

Good looking job...very clean! Looks factory, I may have to steal your idea! Thanks for sharing!

You did a really good job!! Perhaps you could start a side job of making these for the rest of us???

I completed the same typ job toinght, but did everything myself. The bottom panel on the door needed 18" x 24" and the local hardware store had a precut panel this size.

The upper panle measured 31" x 24". Local hardware store had a 36" x 24" piece. Using clamps I clapmed this piece to the door aligning the bottom at it final installed location and traced the top of the door. I then removed the piece of plexi-glass and first trimmed the 5" off the top trace line. I used a very sharprazor blade and scored (sp?) the plexi-glass about 5 - 8 times and with a light touch it fell off. I then found a rounded item that closely matched the doors radius corners and scored (sp?) them and pushed them off as well. Some light sanding....and time for velcro. I had a slip while cutting the one radius corner so I trimmed it a little different to remove the scratch from the finished product. From the interior of the Wildcat you can see my cut on the hinge side of the door.

Total cost for DIY install: $60.

I will try to take some pictures this weekend and post them. From a distance the door looks great and anyone not looking for my error would most likely never notice it.