How Much Does It Cost To Install A Storm Door?

Types of storm doors

Storm doors are categorized by how much glass they have — generally, more glass is more expensive. The styles and types of screens will vary by manufacturer, so it’s worth it to spend some time comparing to find the storm door that suits you best.

A mid-view storm door (the least expensive option) has a window on the top half of the door. Depending on the manufacturer, you can have a full or partial screen across the window that slides vertically or horizontally.

On the other hand, a security storm door has metal reinforcements between two glass panels. While a determined burglar could smash the tempered glass of a high-view door, the reinforced nature of a security storm door means that even if the glass breaks, gaining entry is still difficult. 

High-view storm doors

High-view storm doors offer the least ventilation and light into your home, with a window and screen on only the top 50% of the door. These are best for high-traffic areas because the lower part of the door isn’t glass and, thus, more durable. They also have the most insulation, which can help with temperature control.

Mid-view storm doors

Mid-view storm doors offer more ventilation and light to your home, with a window and screen on about 75% of the surface. They can also be good for high-traffic areas but are less ventilated than high-view options.

Full-view storm doors

Full-view storm doors bring in the most ventilation and light in, with a window and screen on 80 - 90% of the surface. These are great options if you want the maximum natural light, but you’ll also get less durability and insulation.

Security

Security storm doors are made to be stronger and less susceptible to break-ins than storm doors. They are typically made from steel instead of aluminum and feature built-in security options like:

• Keyed locks
• Pick-proof hinges
• Steel bars
• Tempered safety glass

Typically, installation for these types of doors requires an expert's help, and you’ll pay extra for locksmith services.

Double-storm doors

Double-storm doors are made to fit entryways with two doors inside a single frame. They’re more bigger and expensive than single storm doors and will cost more to install as a result.

What's the cost to replace a storm door?

If you already have a storm door and want to upgrade to a newer model, you can expect to add $50-$100 to your contractor's bill to remove and dispose of the old door. If damage to your door frame needs fixing, that cost may go up to account for the repairs. 

Reframing

If your door frame has damage or has degraded with age, which can happen if moisture has gotten in, causing the wood to rot, you can expect to pay about $300 to have your door reframed. 

Replacing glass

You might want to spiff up an older storm door with cracked glass by having the broken panel replaced instead of purchasing an entirely new door. The cost to replace a glass panel in a storm door is about $250. However, this can vary based on the size and complexity of the glass.

Replacing a screen

Over time, wear and tear and exposure to the elements can cause holes or rips in your screen. It’s a quick job to replace the screen and should cost you around $65.

Storm door cost by brand

Each manufacturer has its own line of doors that vary in terms of quality and price tag. Here's an overview of the typical prices for the most common brands.

Storm door upgrades

Some of the most common enhancements on storm doors include upgrading the hardware to something more current that matches your home’s style, adding digital door locks for convenience and security, installing weather stripping, and adding kick plates.

Brass screen door hardware

Brass hardware comes in different styles and finishes and can be a beautiful touch to add to your home’s design. For most hardware sets, you can expect to spend between $20 and $50, although you may be able to find more affordable options at a local home improvement store if you want to save over buying from the manufacturer.

Digital door locks

Smart locks are becoming increasingly common and are a great way to upgrade your storm door. With a digital keypad and Bluetooth connectivity, you can easily and quickly open your door from any smart device with the code. Smart lock sets can be purchased for an average of $250 and come in many styles and colors.

Weather stripping

Weather stripping is a dense foam strip installed between the edge of your door and your door frame, boosting the seal when your door closes. Gaps around doors are one of the most common culprits for air loss, increasing your heating and cooling costs. In contrast, weather stripping is relatively inexpensive, coming in between $25 and $35 on your total cost for a storm door.

Door kick plates

Kick plates are a great way to protect your storm door from overenthusiastic pets and kiddos, in addition to day-to-day wear. Some storm doors come with a built-in kick plate, but if you’re looking to add one, it will be between $25 and $50 to install.

DIY vs. Professional storm door installation

If you’re a seasoned DIY-er and thinking of doing a simple storm door installation, you’ll probably have no problem tackling this on your own. There are a few things that might make an install more complicated and make it easier to bring in a pro, but the good news is that you can always get started on your own and decide to call a contractor if things start going sideways. 

A security storm door has some more particular parts and ways that it needs to be set in order to function correctly, especially if you’ll be connecting it to a security system. You might want to consider having a contractor install a security storm door for this reason. 

If your door frame needs to be refit or replaced, having a contractor help you out could save time and potential frustrations. While they seem simple, door frames are a bit fussy to install and have to be “just so'' to ensure that your door will fit and swing correctly.

Similarly, if you’re installing storm doors in a French door setup, it’s probably best to save some time and bring in a pro. French doors need to be installed reasonably precisely to ensure they work correctly and don’t cause you issues in the long run.

How to measure for a storm door

• Measure the height of your door frame from top to bottom. Do this at the left corner, middle, and right corners (door frames can shift over time, resulting in inconsistencies). 
• Measure the width of your door frame from side to side at the top, middle, and bottom.
• Measure the depth your storm door will have to sit on. (If your current exterior door sits flush with the outside of the door frame, there won’t be space for your storm door to fit.)
• Check around for anything that might obstruct your storm door when you try to open it and decide if any obstructions can be relocated. 

How to install a storm door

1. Measure and cut your hinge side z-bar to size and install it.
2. Place the storm door into the door frame (you might want a hand with this).
3. Hold the door steady in the frame while you use a level to ensure the storm door is plumb.
4. Secure the hinges with screws evenly in half the available holes. (Start with half if you need to make any adjustments; you’ll save yourself having to take out all the screws.)
5. Test the door to see if it opens and closes smoothly and is level.
6. Once you’ve tested the door, place the rest of the screws.
7. Install the handle side z-bar.