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Folding screen doors can be very stylish and extremely practical for typical screen door applications, but they can be confusing to operate at first.
Many new users are often left baffled at how to fold the blinds back up after an initial use. Lets face it, folding screen doors can be difficult to figure out. Fortunately, it does get easier after one learns the proper steps for operation. Once you learn the basics and practice a bit, it will be a skill you keep forever.
Without further ado.
Folding screen doors are different than regular screen doors and essentially use a different mechanism entirely. The big deciding factor for most users that are considering selecting a folding screen door is the mesh material. Fold the mesh over and it leaves a very compact opening. Think of the mesh like an accordion or a hand held fan.
Today's folding screen doors, like our trackless folding insect screen door, utilize an internal chain linkage system that allows the pleated mesh to glide along the top track with ease. To avoid tripping hazards, there are no bottom tracks. The entire system is designed to be lightweight and easy to handle. Redesigned frames consist of heavy duty yet lightweight aluminum alloy. Peterson and titanium mesh materials are tear and abrasion resistant. We are confident that with the proper knowledge, this task will seem much less daunting.
Unfolding is, of course, the most logical skill to possess out of the gate. Perhaps you are quite the folding screen door veteran, and you have just gotten a new screen door to replace last year's spring and summer model, or you have just put the door up for winter to keep out the cold.
Begin by identifying the handle or pull bar on one side of the door. In the majority of primary folding screen doors, the handle is fastened to the edge of the mesh panel that leads. This is the part that will draw the screen and open the door. With that said, grasp the handle with one hand and pull. If there are latches or locks, be sure to disengage those prior to moving.
Now, gently pull the handle towards the opposite side of the doorframe. You will see the pleated mesh begin to expand. Please do not yank it. Try to move your hand in a steady pulling motion. The chain linkage will lead the mesh along the right route, so the door should open smoothly without jerks or sudden stops. Just continue pulling until the leading edge reaches the other side of the frame. You should hear a soft click when the door is fully closed. The lines have gone to some lengths to ensure a latch or magnetic catch is securely closed to let you know the door is completely shut.
If you are working with a double door setup where two mesh panels converge, the unfolding process is the same. Just pull each handle to the center until the panels meet. Some models will have a click when the panels are engaged to lock.
Folding the screen back is just as easy, but one mistake occurs quite frequently. Many people attempt to push the mesh from the middle, which causes the pleats to unevenly bunch up and potentially get stuck. Do not do this. Always use the handle to either push or pull from the leading edge.
To begin, place your hand on a handle located at the edge of the door. If your door has a latch, undo that first. Next, carefully pull the handle back toward the side where the mesh is meant to fold. As you push, the pleats will begin to collapse into each other, stacking like an accordion. As before, a slow and gradual process is ideal. If you go too fast, the mesh may fold unevenly and you may end up with a tangled mess.
Keep pushing until the door is completely open and the mesh is fully stacked on one side of the door frame. With most folding screen doors, the stacked mesh only occupies a few inches of space, making these doors really nice to save space. If you feel any resistance folding, stop and investigate. Forcing it will only make things worse.
Destruction to your door is completely avoidable with a few tips. It is also worth mentioning how to save a screen door from damage. First, you should never pull on the mesh with your hands. Always stick to the provided handle. While the screen itself is durable, it was not designed to be pulled. Mesh may be pinched or yanked to create a hole that will stretch it out of place.
Second, do not force the door if it is stuck. A well functioning folding screen door should open and close with minimal effort. If it feels stuck, something may be wrong. A piece of dirt could be stuck in the chain mechanism, or the frame could be misaligned. Before using force, stop and assess the door.
Third, be careful with the latch and locking mechanism. Some people tend to close the door hard to make the latch catch, however, this is very damaging to the pleated mesh and chain link. A gentle push should suffice. If the latch is not engaged, it may need an adjustment, not another hard push.
The good news is, in general, a little upkeep can keep your folding screen door in good working order. The mesh fibers can constantly accumulate dust and pollen over time, this is especially true if your area has a lot of trees or is particularly arid. To remove this dust, use a gentle vacuum with a bristle tip furniture brush to clean the screen door mesh. Be gentle, and avoid using any sort of harsh cleaners, scrubs, or scouring pads, as this can irritate the mesh or damage it entirely.
You cannot completely ignore the upkeep of the dual action screen door's aluminum housing, but maintenance is as simple as a mild soap and water solution followed by a rinse from a small bucket of water, nothing a kid cannot do, right? Ensure the screws and mounting brackets are secure as a screw can render the whole door becoming misaligned. This can make the door hard to fold and unfold.
If your door chain is a link mechanism, a tiny spray of some non volatile silicone based lubricant is recommended so that gum up grease and dust does not ruin the party. A chain lube is perfect, but really a minimal spray on the parts that slide is all that is needed.
When is the appropriate time to leave the screen door folded? This is a common question and it is very simple: it is all about how often you use the door. If it is the family's favorite barbecue hangout and the door has been used a lot, it does not make sense to keep it folded. Most of the doors are meant to be used flat as a screen door so that the pleats melt and re form like they never happened.
When letting the fresh air circulate through the house after a warm day, it is better to fully fold the screen door. Leaving the door partially open for a long time causes the mesh and chain mechanism to weaken. Folding it fully to one side will help reset the tension and will reduce wear on the door.
Here is a helpful tidbit on screen doors. Unfolding the screen door is as simple as pulling the handle and pulling toward the other side of the frame, and then you should hear a satisfying click when it latches. To fold it, you will press the handle the other way toward the stacking side after releasing the latch. Remember to always use the handle and not the mesh. Do not rush it. Keep the door clean and check on the screws from time to time. That is the long and short of it.
Screen doors are amazing. They let air circulate, and they help eliminate bugs. Make the investment and you will surely not regret it.
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