Wednesday, July 31, 2013

:: A Screen Door Sandwich ::


I was thinking on Saturday as I was painting the back screen door... it was like "putting lipstick on a pig"...but now that it is done, it doesn't look too bad and I'm grateful to have the screen door back up and in place.



  My next thoughts were, I'm thankful to have a screen door AND a house. Because...we had some pretty high winds and tornadoes come through in the Spring this year...and that is what took the door off to begin with!

Yesterday, I took the screen door off the front of the house and started getting it ready for new screen...
apparently, our dogs have us trained. When they knock or scratch...or bang on the front door...WE being the good Pup-parents that we are, get up and let them inside the house.  
They've (mainly Trouble) absolutely killed the screen door.


Originally, I ramped up my screen doors appearance from standard $20 door from Lowes...and made it look pretty good.

from this to .......................................................THIS!
projects- screen door- 026screen door porch- fall decor 004

You can read about that transformation here. (Screen Door Weather)

Today, due to 2 pretty SMART dogs and their abilities to get things done (ie: get the door answered) 

I came up with this solution. I cut 2 plywood panels for the lower portion of the door, nailed them on and applied caulk to fill any gaps---because apparently I cut them a smidgen out of square! 

Here it is tonight after I primed the panels... they still need a top coat. I think I'll be adding some right angle pieces to that small section too. 
But, for now, it is a vast improvement!  


I also paneled the inside...because well, you can see by the finger prints and smudges all over the glass door...that little people walk and sometimes run through that door. 

Oh yes! sometimes at a high rate of 2 legged speed too!!! 
So that lower right corner takes a beating...from eager dogs wanting in the house or excited children running away from other More-excited children...
Ah... and that little bit of 1/4 inch ply wood panel on the front and inside of my screen door sandwich...makes this door SLAM!  with a much weightier sound to it. 
Almost like it is the much pricier version...instead of the cheap one. :)

Two of my most favorite sounds in the universe...
THE SHRILL LAUGHTER of a child...grinning ear to ear; and the screen door slamming! 








Rejoice in the LORD always and again I say rejoice. ~Philippians 4:4 

 

19 comments:

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

At our old house we had a screen door off the enclosed porch and had to put a wire animal guard on it. Not to keep our cats/dogs from scratching but to keep the strays from breaking in! We currently have those $ 20 screen doors from Lowes on our doors for the upper porch- I like the addition to the corners!

Melanie said...

I agree, that the laughter of a happy child and a screen door slamming are wonderful sounds! You did a great job on the screen door! That was a great idea!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Very nice. Our farm house did not have one screen door when we moved in. We reused an old one for the front, but need about 2 more. We are slowly working on it, but this year we have too many projects.

Tombstone Livestock said...

Nothing says Country more than the scrunching sound of a gravel driveway or tha slamming of a wood screen door.

Love the transformation of a stock screen door.

Diane said...

Looks great! Oughta work great too!

20 North Ora said...

Don't you just love that soothing sound of a screen door slamming shut? You did a great job on your screen door. The panels at the bottom are a great idea.

Judy

NanaDiana said...

GREAT idea to save the door...and it doesn't look like a cheap door at all. I was talking to someone the other day about how I loved the memory of our back screen door slamming as people went in and out to do farm work and chores. The wafting of new mown grass coming in thru it was a sensory delight, too. GREAT post- xo Diana

The Boston Lady said...

The screen door turned out great, Pat. I can relate to the dog issue. Hmmmmmm. Wonder what will happen at the new place. Panda used to ring a bell to go out in FL. No kidding! I never could get Sadie to do it, but she also doesn't scratch the door. Wonder if Panda remembers! I also had a cat that would ring it. Ann

Brenda Pruitt said...

Screen doors remind me of my childhood. I remember them on the doors to stores, grocery stores. It reminds me of grandma's house and nostalgic stories and memories where you hear it slam shut. And the sound of children's laughter too.
Brenda

daisy g said...

Faboo job! What a great solution. Screen doors are so homey. Love 'em.

Geneva said...

Great save on your screen door ... it look really GOOD! I miss having a screen door; always loved them, especially when there was a little screech when they closed (letting me know when my son was home). This was a great post!

Revi said...

That sound may soon be a thing of the past - for sure it is more rare...
-Revi

Audrey said...

Love screen doors but none of our doors are suited for screens. You did a great job on customizing yours ... Looks so good.
Enjoy.
Hugs,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

That's a great solution to your door and looks really good too!

Cindy said...

Haha! I had to laugh at you saying "it was ike putting lipstick on a pig", your screen door has come a long way, dear girl and it is looking pretty spiffy, in my humble opinion.
Have a good day!

Robyn said...

I love what you did with the door and SO understand about screen doors and dogs! I have seven dogs and have repaired many a screen. I love the panels on the bottom. Should work out well and look great too!

retrorevival.biz said...

Wow! Your door is beautiful now! Really nice job:)

Diane said...

Great job...what a difference! Every home should have a slamming screen door! :)

My Repurposed Life said...

you're so clever! Leave it to Patricia to find just the right solution!

My storm door is a disaster because of Louie pawing at it to get in the house. I bought him a doorbell once, but couldn't get him to use it. Even though he is incredibly smart! Hoping to replace it soon... but gotta figure out a way to train louie first!
gail