Having a screen door that closes too quickly can be annoying and even dangerous. A fast-closing screen door could slam shut on pets or small children. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to slow down how quickly your screen door closes to make it more convenient and safer to use.
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Adjust the Door Closer
Many screen doors have a pneumatic door closer installed at the top or side of the door frame. This device uses air pressure to control the speed at which the door closes. Adjusting the door closer is the easiest way to make a screen door close more slowly.
Start by locating the valve on the door closer, which is usually a screw or knob that can be turned. Turning the valve counterclockwise will allow more air to escape from the closer and make the door close more slowly. Turn the valve in small increments and test the door after each adjustment until you achieve the desired closing speed.
If your door closer doesn’t have an adjustable valve, you may need to replace it with a new closer that allows you to control the speed. Look for an adjustable hydraulic or pneumatic door closer made for screen doors when choosing a replacement.
Add a Door Sweep
Adding a door sweep to the bottom of a screen door is another quick fix for slowing the closure speed. The sweep brushes against the door frame as the door closes, adding friction and resistance. This gentle dragging effect helps slow the door’s momentum.
Choose a door sweep that is made from a soft material like felt, brush, vinyl or rubber. Avoid stiff sweeps that could damage your door or frame. Cut the sweep to the exact width of your door using a utility knife. Peel off the adhesive backing and press the sweep firmly onto the bottom of the door.
Test the door to make sure the sweep provides the right amount of resistance. If the door still closes too quickly, you may need to try a thicker or denser sweep material.
Adjust the Spring Hinges
If your screen door has spring hinges, you can adjust the hinge tension to slow the closing speed. Start by locating the screw on each hinge that controls the spring. Then use a screwdriver to turn the screw clockwise on both hinges. This will increase tension in the springs and put more resistance on the door.
Turn the screws in small increments, testing the door in between adjustments. When the door reaches the desired slow closing speed, stop adjusting the spring hinges. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws or you could damage the hinge springs.
Add a Magnet Catch
Installing magnet catches is a quick, easy way to add more control over a screen door’s closure. The magnets create resistance as the door nears the closed position, slowing it down right before the latch engages.
Purchase magnet catches designed for screen doors. Look for a set that includes both a catch and strike plate. Position the catch plate on the door frame and the strike plate on the door itself. Mount the plates at the same height where they will align when the door is closed.
Choose catches with strong magnets if you need to slow down the door more. Weaker magnets will provide a gentler resistance. Test the door to make sure the magnets provide the right amount of drag before permanently attaching them.
Adjust the Sweep Seal
If your screen door has a sweep seal along the edge that seals against the frame, adjusting this seal can help slow the closure. Start by locating the screws that hold the sweep seal in place. Loosen the screws slightly and slide the seal down by about 1/4 inch.
This will increase resistance as the sweep makes contact with the frame sooner. Retighten the screws to hold the adjusted sweep in position. Test the door and make additional small adjustments as needed until you achieve the desired closure speed.
Add Wind Chimes or a Door Chain
Hanging wind chimes or a decorative door chain on your screen door is a creative way to slow the closure. As the door closes, the decorations will drag and tap against the door. This adds just enough friction to prevent the door from slamming.
Opt for wind chimes or door chains made from lightweight materials like wood, metal or plastic so they don’t damage the screen. Position the decor high enough on the door that children and pets won’t get tangled up in them.
You can also adjust the number of wind chimes or length of chain to control the amount of resistance. More decorations will slow the door more. Remove decorations if the door becomes too difficult to fully close.
Install an Overhead Door Damper
Overhead door dampers can be mounted above a screen door to gently regulate the closing speed. As the door swings shut, the damper’s piston engages to apply controlled resistance.
Purchase a damper kit made for screen doors. Look for a low-profile design that won’t obstruct the door’s movement. Mount the damper centered above the door according to the installation instructions. Adjust the dial on the damper to fine tune the resistance as needed.
This type of hydraulic damper provides consistent control over the door’s closure. It’s a good option if you need to significantly slow down a fast-closing screen.
Conclusion
It’s easy to make a screen door close slower for safety and convenience. Start with simple adjustments like adding a door sweep or tightening spring hinges. For more substantial changes, replace the door closer, add magnet catches or install an overhead door damper. With a few tweaks, you can turn a slamming screen door into one that closes slowly and smoothly.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
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| Adjust door closer |
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| Add door sweep |
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| Adjust spring hinges |
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| Add magnet catch |
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| Adjust sweep seal |
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| Add wind chimes/chain |
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| Install door damper |
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