Screen Door Modifications - Spring

[Jim and Carolyn]

We are trying to follow the pictures for the Screen Door Modification using two springs to help close the screen door. So far, we have had no success. We installed plexiglass on our screen door some time ago. Could this be the reason the springs won't work for us or is there some magic we can't see on the photos. We installed the spring at the bottom of the middle hinge and then screwed it into the frame for the bottom spring. Do we need to install both springs before it will work? Thanks for any help.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

The plexi seems to form a air pocket and then the doors do not close as well with the springs. We have 2 springs, without plexi, the door shuts like a dream. With plexi, it now pulls too, but does not go into the little latch. We now have to give a slight tug or push to get the latches to engage. Al said it might latch with more springs, but we have not gone there yet, he is hesitating for now.

Air pocket is not the best description, but at the moment my ole brain cells will not kick out a better one!

[H. John Kohl]

I think you will find the plexiglass adds weight which causes more of a binding effect therefore requiring more spring force. I would guess you would need two or maybe three depending on the binding of the door.
Good luck.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Thanks John for pointing out the weight situation. Al used the thinest material he could, not standard plexie. The real thin stuff does weigh a lot less, and for us, the heavier did make the door drag.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Stretch your springs an inch or so more. More tension more closing power.