×
Let's be honest, when you bought a folding screen door, you dreamed of a door that creates a barrier, but is also aesthetically pleasing and has a bug screen that folds away when you don't need it. Yeah, it mostly works, but one day when you go to fold it up, you realize that the mesh is wreaking havoc in your life. It's not folding, it might be making some dreadful sound, or maybe it just refuses to fold. I get it, this is overwhelmingly frustrating, and you are not alone. Fortunately, most problems are treatable. I will detail some issues that you may run into with your folding screen door and offer some solutions.
It's a shame that this is the most frequent complaint I get. You pull out the handle to close the door, yet the mesh is a punk and refuses to unfold all the way. Rather, it decides to ball up in some sections, and leave some others sections lagging. And when it is time to fold the mesh back up, the mesh has also decided that it will not stack up nicely into pleats.
When many issues arise, the most likely culprit is blockage within the internal chain linkage system. One of the most common issues here is household debris like dust, hair, and general debris. To clear the rail and chain linkage system, use a soft bristle brush or a vacuum equipped with a brush attachment. Make sure to thoroughly clean the mesh folds and corners, as tiny pieces of debris can dramatically affect the system's overall performance.
If the blockage is not the issue, you may want to check to see if the handlebar gasket is stuck against the door frame. A door can rub against its frame if the leading edge gasket of the door has shifted. Consider trimming the gasket slightly or adjusting the handlebar to provide a better seal if you notice wear and tear on the door frame.
Chain linkage may technically be designed to work with the folding door system of a trackless screen, but the design doesn't always work as intended. To fix, try opening and closing the mesh screen door slowly a few times. If the chain has become significantly misaligned, it may be necessary to remove the door to inspect it more closely. This process is a bit more labor intensive, as it involves removing the brackets in order to access the internal components.
Screen doors are great when they are functioning correctly to keep out bugs and allow ventilation. Unfortunately, folding screen doors can become very frustrating when they just won't latch after closing.
When troubleshooting screen folding doors that refuse to latch, first consider that door strike and latch unit misalignment can occur as a door settles into an opening over time. Examine how and where the door latch meets the strike unit. If the latch clearly strikes high or low, or if the latch is not completely covering the strike unit, the strike unit likely needs to be positioned differently. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, loosen the strike unit attachment screws, and then move the strike unit to a more favorable position. Adjust the strike unit vertically and horizontally until the door latch strikes the unit correctly, and then re tighten the screws.
Latches can be the source of this issue as well. If a latch looks to be too loose or is not returning with sufficient resistance, a strike latch can become sticky and then requires lubrication to become operational. Although there are several different lubrication products on the market, one housing unit sprays of graphite lubrication can be used in place of other products more commonly used for this purpose such as WD-40. Latches other than strike latches, such as screen doors with magnets, will require other forms of troubleshooting. In the case of magnets, cleaning debris, if present, as well as checking to ensure the magnets are face to face for a proper seal will be helpful.
The day to day realities of life involve kids, pets, and accidents. Whether caused by a stray baseball, an enthusiastic pup, or simply time, screen mesh damage is luck. The positive is that you do not have to throw away your entire folding screen door.
A screen repair patch will be convenient and helpful to have on hand. Small tears and holes will be easily patched and defended from further damage. Minor screen damage repair is not an everyday thing, but you can patch it with materials from any hardware store. A screen repair patch will be an adhesive sheet that can be applied to a cleaned surface. Just ensure that the patch not only covers the defect but is flush with the mesh.
Top damage is harder to fix. Mesh replacement can be a challenge but can be done. Just look at the materials and tools you need to have. Removing your door from the frame is the first step and ensure the mesh is replaced with a pliable pleated material that has folding design and properties, not the typical screen door mesh.
When there is a trackless design on a folding screen door, it should open and close with little to no effort needed. If this is not the case, you should evaluate the problem.
The most probable cause is blockage in the upper track or around the chain linkage. While trackless designs avoid the bottom tracks, the upper mechanism can still get dusty and dirty. Clean the upper rail out with compressed air or a small brush. Be sure to clear debris from the chain links and pivot points.
Debris in the track is not the only possibility, however. It is possible the mounting brackets or the screws that secure them have become loose. Tighten up all the screws in the door frame and the screws that secure the brackets that hold the screen door. It only takes one loose screw to throw off the alignment and create unwanted friction in the door.
If you have cleaned, tightened screws and the door is still stiff, it may be that you need to lubricate the door. Unlike grease and oils, which can attract dust and worsen the problem, a silicone based lubricant is the most appropriate. For an easier and smoother operation, apply a silicone based lubricant sparingly to the pivot points and chain links.
Squeaks, and even grinding, can be an indication that something has gone wrong with the door. Doors that squeak or grind are notoriously detested.
Most likely, a squeak is caused by the friction of two metal parts rubbing against each other without sufficient lubrication. A silicone lubricant can be applied to the chain linkage, the top rail of where the mechanism slides, and the pivot points. Work the door a few times to help the lubricant and the noise should decrease.
Grinding sounds are more serious and may be because a component is lost, caught, or worn down. Don't operate the door, just the opposite. Look for self destructive chain linkages. Look for broken links, bent metal, or foreign debris. If a broken link is visible you may need to contact the manufacturer for the missing components.
A grinding noise may also mean the spring has broken or come loose, but it's an advanced, more complicated repair. If you are not comfortable taking the door mechanism apart, you will likely need help.
A folding screen door relies on a straight, square door to function as designed. A bent frame of the door results in the total dysfunction of the door. This can happen if someone accidentally leans on the door too hard, if something heavy falls against it, or just from normal wear over many years.
First, examine the corner connections on the frame. Some folding screen door frame corners screw together. If the screws are loose, tighten them. This may help pull the frame back in square.
If the frame is bent, you may be able to gently bend it back using your hands, or you may choose to use some pliers. Try to avoid kinking the aluminum. If the bend is really bad, the entire frame may need to be replaced. A folding screen door with a bent frame isn't going to work properly, so don't just deal with it.
Also examine the brackets that attach the door to the wall or door frame. These can loosen over time, causing the door to sag or tilt. Tighten the screws of the brackets, and also make sure the brackets aren't bent in any way.
Other than this, so far the screen folding rig is good. The door folds halfway, but it won't go the entire way so you can't fully clear the doorway.
At this point you may be wondering is to completely open the door. This symptom is in almost all cases caused by some obstruction inside the folding mechanism. Look very closely to see what is physically preventing the pleats from stacking. Otherwise examine the mesh as you fold it. Is there somewhere on the fabric that is bunched or perhaps twisted? Work that section gently so the fabric is no longer bunched.
The internal chain that holds itself together may also have jumped track or broken. This is very unlikely but possible, especially with very old versions of folding screen doors. In this case, if you suspect this is your problem, you'll need to dismount the door and check the internal workings. Some models have chain repair kits that can be purchased, but be advised this repair is more complicated.
Lastly, one other possible issue is that the mesh may have become unevenly stretched. The mesh may become badly distorted as you can imagine after several years of use, and in this case the only option is to replace the mesh.
A folding screen door requires very little upkeep to remain in good condition. An example of this would be, once a month, grab your soft cloth or a vacuum brush and wipe down the top rail and the edges of the mesh. In doing this, you control dust accumulation before it becomes a significant problem.
Do a visual inspection once, or better yet, twice a year to check all screws and brackets. Make sure to tighten anything that is loose. For the moving parts, apply only a little bit of silicone lubricant. Before the holes in the mesh become big, check and do patch the mesh.
If you need to clean the aluminum frame, do it with a soap and water solution, and do not use an aggressive chemical cleaner. If you use aggressive chemical cleaners, it could result in damage to the protective coat and could even corrode the aluminum.
Not everyone knows this, but if you plan on leaving your folding screen door open for a long time, such as an entire afternoon to enjoy a cool breeze, we recommend folding the screen fully open. Do not leave the door partially open for long periods of time. Keeping the door partially open creates uneven tension on the pleats and chain linkage. It also helps to fully fold the screen to remove the tension, and prolongs the life of the screen.
Most of the repairs needed for a folding screen door can be done using a few basic tools and a little time and patience. However, there are certain situations that you will be better off letting a professional do the repairs. Severe damage to the internal chain linkage, a severely bent screen door, or the wall mounts coming loose are some of the things that are beyond the average DIY repair.
If you've completed all of the suggested repairs and your screen door is still giving you headaches, you may want to save yourself the time and don't keep struggling. The problem may be beyond the average defect and may be a hidden manufacturing defect or something that is not visible but has been damaged. An experienced repair technician will be able to identify the problem quickly.
A folding screen door is an invaluable upgrade. Easily enjoy the outdoors without letting the insects in. When the screen is not in use, it can be folded completely away. With some basic advice and knowledge, your door will be operating efficiently for many years.
EN
