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Need to install a storm door with hinges on the right side (same side as current door's handle) but the framing won't really allow for it.

2K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  VinylHanger  
#1 ·
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There's a bit of meat at the top of the jamb but none at all on the bottom. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
While I can see why you'd want the hinges on the right in that situation, the "opposite-swinging" between the two doors would probably be even more awkward to negotiate regularly than just installing it left-hinged.

But if you must... Pad the outer part of that right-side jamb enough to accept the z-channel (which you need to do anyway), and install a storm door appropriately sized to fit the resulting opening. There's no law that says your storm door has to be the same size as the actual entry door.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply!

I should've stepped down from the landing and taken a picture of the entire thing. There are a few steps up to a landing here. The landing is pretty small, and has a railing. The door will swing where you're standing if hinged on the left.
The existing jamb is PVC. Would you build it out with more PVC? My fear is that I won't be able to use much material without it interfering with the existing door knob. If I just use a small strip, it might not be solid enough to hold a door. Should I maybe just tell this person that I don't want this job? The last thing I want is a call in a few months because the door has fallen off or is loose/crooked.
 
#5 ·
To be honest, I wouldn't consider that situation to be viable for adding a storm door. It's a crappy setup to begin with, and adding to it will only make things worse.

There are very good PVC glues available that would work fine for adding the padding I suggested, but as you say, that would make the doorknob situation even worse than it already is. The existing doorway is only marginally acceptable IMO (rental property?), and I wouldn't be comfortable with compounding that injury. Personally, I'd walk away from it unless I was very, very hungry.