DIY Guide On How to Install a Screen Door Closer 

A screen door closer gives stability to your storm or screen doors and stops them from swinging dangerously or getting ripped out completely. Getting one is super easy. The problem is that many people don’t know how to install a screen door closer and hire professionals to do a job that they could do themselves.

You start off with putting the jamb bracket in place, then connect it to the door closer, attach the door bracket, and finally tweak the whole system a bit until they open smoothly.

If you got a drill with a set of drill bits, a brand new storm door closer kit, and a few screws, you’re ready to go. I’ll show you how to smartly pull it off right down below…

Installing a storm door closer properly with seven simple steps

Whether you’re trying to replace a screen door closer or install a brand new one, you’ll see that the process is identical. Pick the right class of pneumatic screen door closers, or the hydraulic one, if you prefer that.

I’ll suggest following your door manufacturer’s suggestion when it comes to choosing a closer because they know what’s the best screen door closer for your door.

There are three common classes for storm door closers:

1. Standard [1-¼” diameter]
2. Heavy-duty [1-½” diameter]
3. Extra heavy-duty [1-½” with torsion bar]

Remember always to replace a door closer with the same class.

After you’re done picking the closer, It’s time to install it. I’ll explain how to do that in a step-by-step manner. Replacing follows the same path, just with a few extra tweaks; you can read about the full replacing process and some common troubleshooting regarding door closer here.

By the time I’m done, you’ll see installing a screen door closer is actually very simple. It’s just a little procedural, that’s all.

1. Find an ideal location

First, locate where you want to place the closer; they can be placed either on the top edge of the door or the bottom. Remember to leave ¼” of space so it can adequately fit the pin.

2. Prepare the door for a jamb bracket

Close the door to begin the operation. Place the jamb bracket away from the door. It would be best if you kept the bracket in a manner that the straight edge is in line with the door. Because the door bracket would sit next to it, and the arm would pass across the two of these brackets.

This will enable the mechanism to pull the door and close it. Don’t worry; the brackets have direction engraved on them, showing you how to face it.

3. Install the jamb bracket

Put the jamb bracket at the door and mark the places with the pencil to help you locate where you want your screws to sit. You can use a hammer and nail to punch shallow holes to use as a reference, then to use a drill with small drill bits [for example, 1/16″ bits].

Put long screws inside the holes, they support the jamb bracket way better, and you’re less likely to encounter any storm door closer problems.

4. Pre-tensioning the door closer

It’s time to open the door. Next, mount a screen door closer, then slip the hold-open washer into the rod of the closer and attach it to the jamb bracket using the short pin. Pull closer a little and slide the washer alongside the marker on the rod.

If you let go of the door closer, you’ll see the washer is keeping it open. This is called pre-tensioning.

5. Connect the door bracket with the closer

Attach the door bracket to the cylinder using the long pin after you fit a screen door closer. It’s best if the pinholes are facing close to the door, so if you need to rotate it for that, please do so!

Let me share an important detail with you- if you’re using a glass door, the pin goes inside the first hole, second hole, if it’s a screen door. The second hole means the hole that is on the farther end.

This applies to both jamb and door brackets.

6. Place the door bracket

Now, you have to close the door again, line up the door bracket, and mark positions where you want to drill holes. If there are existing holes, then great, you can reuse them. The door bracket can accommodate holes of different sizes, so that’s a plus point.

Install the bracket on the door by putting the screws in the holes. Now since it’s in place, you’re almost done with the job.

[Pro Tip: Open the bracket makes it easier to make holes and put screws in it, afterwards, you can attach it back again.]

7. Final adjustments

Let’s test to see if we need to adjust screen door closer. Open the door and release the pre-tensioned washer; if everything went well, then your door will shut smoothly on its own. If the door doesn’t close or closes too fast/slow- you’ll need to adjust it.

At the front of the door closer, there is a tension screw, by turning it clockwise or counterclockwise to let the door close slowly or quickly.

Finally, your screen door closer is ready for action!

Goodbye for Now

See? I told you learning how to install a screen door closer is not a big deal at all. If you follow the steps exactly how I described, it’d be a walk in the park for you.

Please remember to undergo seasonal adjustments to avoid having any screen door closer problems; then, you can expect these to last a long time.