By Guest Correspondent ChoHey y’all! Ok so normally, I would be ready to rage about how the most recent project was done outside, but it wasn’t really that bad, because I was under shade the entire time. This post will detail the installation of a storm door on the “servants entry”. In modern society, we simply call this the side door, but since some readers think I live in a mansion, I thought you all would love that bit of architectural history and context. That being said, you should go back and read my last post to read about the original walk-in closet size! Now that is mansion-worthy!
At the very start, this storm door was advertised as “installing in only half the time!” As I type this now and think back to the moment we read the box, I should have known this was a scam. The box didn’t identify the standard time it takes to install a storm door! Is this just universal knowledge to all people? Me being the ignorant person I am, I just optimistically went with it. We both were really excited about how quick this project would potentially be. I mean, the manual did only show 9 steps. While I didn’t understand any of the jargon this manual used, I didn’t imagine it would be too difficult for me to learn. Spoiler alert: I thought wrong. Eric estimated 2 hours, but naturally, it wound up taking us 4 and a half hours!
Note, Eric did step 1 without me, which involved some minor prep work, painting and measuring. Eric had to make sure that the trim around the house was even and that this door would actually fit in just the right place. Step 2 is where I got heavily involved: we placed the hinge rail tight against the door and marked inside each goldfish-shaped hole where we would eventually be placing the screws. We then attached the hinge rail to the storm door. I got to use a powered screwdriver. I know that’s not the word for it, but I don’t feel like asking Eric for the right term. Just know that it is really exhilarating to use power tools. First, I got to use a miter saw and nail gun, and now I’m using a super powered screwdriver! Gone are the days of us doing silly projects purely for aesthetics! Or are they??
We finally get to the part where we actually attached the storm door to the side door. We drilled holes into the door frame then attached the hinged part of the storm door using screws. Thank goodness there was no overbearing heat or else I would be charging Eric a lot of Temperature Tax. Step 5 is installing the drip cap which is exactly what you think it is: it helps to keep water from dripping into the door. This helps to keep water from getting into cracks and into your home. Remember, we did a whole post on the importance of sealing cracks around your home! Step 6 involved attaching the other side of the hinged frame. This was somewhat difficult because we had to line it up perfectly to enable the door to open without hitting the frame.
At this point, I know we only have 3 steps left, and I’m breathing a sigh of relief at how straightforward the project has been. Step 7 is installing the handle. The instructions read: “follow the instructions in the storm door handle kit.” I look around aimlessly a bit, and Eric has another folded up piece of instructions with 7 additional steps. We were scammed. I let Eric handle this part as it was really intricate and complicated. I barked orders at him on which parts to use first as though I knew what I was talking about. I didn’t. But it worked. We added the storm door expander in step 8 in order to keep the bottom of the storm door adjustable to go against the sill. It makes up for any unevenness on the sill while also keeping out air.
We finally get to the last step which says the following: “follow the instructions in the closer kit”, and I let out a timely “are you effing kidding me?!” For the price of 9 steps, we got 11 more! Similarly to the steps involving the handle, this task was both above my paygrade and above my level of intellect. The closer is basically that object that looks like a pump. It allows the door to close at a slow place without much shock. It also serves as a stop to allow the door to only open so far. That way, when the wind blows hard, there will be resistance to prevent it from banging into wall.
This last step took quite some time, and our cat, Karma, took the opportunity to FINALLY ESCAPE HER RETIREMENT HOME! She used to live outdoors, but whenever she gets out now, Eric always screams at me to hurry up and grab her. She’s been an indoor cat for quite some time now. I never grew up picking animals up by the back of their necks, but apparently that is the best way to pick up a cat. I got over my skittishness and grabbed Karma before she ran off into the street. Eric picked her up from my grip and tossed her back into the house. We realized she was really cranky, because she hadn’t eaten. She was simply trying to get our attention like the diva she is. She’s always making noise and breaking into our bedroom at night. She also attracts other neighborhood cats onto our porch at night, and they chat amongst themselves through the window. Anyway, Eric finished the last several steps and we ended up being very pleased with the door.
Sorry to conclude the post talking about Karma, but she was very much a part of this project! Do your pets ever get involved in your house projects? I’m just now thinking about this, but we never use our side door. Why the hell did we do this?! ERIC! Do you also have projects where when you’re finished, you ask this same exact question? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to stay up to date with me on twitter as well as twitch!
So, I have a story about my storm door issues. It comes with a trigger warning for women who have been assaulted by men. Even though an actual assault didn’t happen. But you may want to stop reading here.
Several years ago, I replaced eleven windows in this house and purchases two storm doors. The guy came out and put in the windows and it happened over two, maybe three days.
The installation guy worked alone and was very friendly. I’m sure I probably offered him a beverage here and there. There was polite conversation at times. The main thing I remember is that we were both in the kitchen by the sink. When he turned to me and said, “I want to fuck you so bad right now.”
It was completely out of the blue.It freaked me the fuck out. I said something like, “Well that is not going to happen.” And he made an awkward departure. He had to come back the next day to finish the doors. It was very awkward. The front door has a gap at the bottom. The back door took him forever and there were issues as well but I just wanted him off my property.
I didn’t report him to the company. He knew where I lived and if they fired him I feared he would return. I thought about waiting six months and then reporting him and then realized he’d probably take it out on the last person, or perhaps I was the only one he was inappropriate with.
So to this day, the back storm door doesn’t fit the frame. And every night when I let Banjo out in the wee hours of the morning, there is at least one cockroach in between the door and the stormdoor. Usually crawling on the INSIDE of the storm door. And I do a little screaming dance trying to knock it off.
Fun times.
I now have a window in my dining room that needs to be replaced. I am not sure what window company I used before. I am concerned that when I call and make an appointment the same guy would show up. I would not recognize him if I saw him again. It’s been at least ten years.
Sorry for the creepy story. But let it be a lesson when it comes to being a female with a male worker in the house.
OMFG that story is so intense. Tbh, if I were 20 years old, I would probably would have done the nasty with him right there as long as he washed his hands before getting to business. I would have also hoped that I got a cheaper rate on the doors. Was he even cute? But wow that is so creepy and aggressive out of no where. I wish he would have waited until the last day at least. lol
I also would have been terrified to do anything about it after the fact. It touches upon the larger societal issue of sexual assault and how women specifically have to deal with it.
I’m imagining that same guy working there after 10 years and being creepy again. Please indulge in your 2nd amendment rights before calling about the window!!
Excited to hear everyone’s reaction!
Looking forward to our discussions on this project.
So if I wanted to add sort of a flap to the storm door to keep the bugs out, is there something I could attach with some sort of adhesive rather than having to drill into a metal door?
If you look close on the after picture at the bottom of the door there is a plastic “sweep” there. It is “U” shaped so it wraps around the bottom of the door. This one has two screws to hold it in place but you might find one that uses adhesive instead.
Thanks Eric. Knowing it is called a sweep will be very helpful at Home Depot.
You’ll probably need to let them know it’s for a storm door. Measuring the thickness of the storm door will likely be a good idea too.
Gotta run to the gym, but I’m excited to read this story time of yours!
Cho, thanks for posting, I’ll be back to ssk wuestion, Zucchini bread baking day.
I haven’t had much zucchini bread in my life time. What do you put in yours that makes it unique? Or is it a pretty traditional recipe?
Zucchini bread traditional recipe. I’ve substituted 1/2 c. Applesauce for //2c oil, = 1 c total, I use the one bowl method, not separating wet/dry ingredients, so easy. This year I’ve grated zucchini and froze in 2 cup containers or freezer bags instead of loaves. Since all veg oil is now soy I used the CostCo blended oil. I used 1/2c olive oil & 1/2 c applesauce if out of blended oil. I try not to use canola if I can get around it,
Thanks for that recipe. I don’t really bake a lot, but maybe that’s something Eric can do for me one day. I love breads like pumpkin bread, banana bread etc. Don’t have much experience with zucchini bread, but it sounds delightful!
Don’t let her sell you on zucchini. You’ll have a bushel basket of them on your doorstep from your lovely neighbors. You’ll find yourself making fried zucchini or zucchini cake. You don’t want to go down that rabbit hole.
That’s so funny that you say that, because I’ve already experienced one person in my life who always has too much zucchini and is always trying to pawn it off on me. I don’t ever really cook or use it for much, so I always politely decline.
Zucchini cake?! That can’t be real!
Green cake or green bread, your choice.You could probably use it as part of cement.
LOL oh my goodness, I totally just imagined doing this during one of our projects. Green cement would be real trippy.
I wish I knew someone with lots of extra zucchini! But I would also need excess yellow crook neck squash.
Take a giant zucchini, cut in half lengthwise. cut out most of the meat but leave a goodly amour to keep “the boat” firm. slice up some yellow neck squash and onions mix with the zuccinini and some grated cheese. Bake in oven until the big zucchini boat softens. eat the boat skin and all with the filling. There may be breadcrumbs involved, I haven’t made it in ages.
It’s really good but in the south we tend to add unhealthy stuff. I’ve been know to add bacon on top.
OMG TT THAT SOUNDS AMAZING!
It sounds like the perfect appetizer to serve at a fancy shmancy party! I would add bacon and feta on top of mine. Maybe drizzle some balsamic glaze???
Am I just now realizing that you’re a cook? Do share more of your recipes! Maybe you shared some in your Tomato Talks? I need to go back and read those.
First no shame in owning a mini mansion, I think most of us know it’s not a mansion. Servants door it is. Do you have front and back stairs?
I’ve never installed s food from scratch. I’ve watched it done and there seems to be tricks to get it installed evenly, so it works welll and in less than 30 mins.
I’ve taken doors out to fix a hinge or refinish.
Eric sounds like a good man to learn from.
Hi Calipatti, there are no front in back stairs in the house right now. I don’t see any evidence that suggests there ever were although I do know that is more common in houses with servant entries. The servant door does enter into a landing where you can access steps down to the basement and another small set of steps to the main floor. Those steps end at what used to be the kitchen, now the study. So kitchen help probably stayed in these areas. I do understand that the servants that lived in the house lived on the third floor, now the entertainment room. They must have used the main stairs like everyone else to get to and from there.
Like with most projects, the most important thing is preparation. As Cho mentioned for step one, I spent time making sure the frame was the appropriate dimensions and that the hinge side of the frame was plumb. That took half the time again as much as the entire door installation (2-3 hours). The instructions for this door actually explained this pretty well. I did have a bit of a unique situation in that I had to fix what others did before me. There is evidence that there was a storm door installed in the past. When they installed that, they cut the frame on the hinge side really rough. It kind of looked lik they used a hatchet to do it. I needed to clean that up.
Reading about the power tools you were using, caused me mini-anxiety. Very brave of you.
Omg you’re telling me! I’ve been using these that could really hurt someone if misused. I’m happy to have Eric guiding me on the safety protocols. The most intense tool I used was the miter saw. that was pretty scary actually!
Well I slammed a door (past behavior) and caused all sorts of problems/mess. It was a solid core door hung with only two normal hinges. I learned there should have been heavy duty hinges or three hinges which is what my other doors had.
I poppped hinge screws, messed up the trim boards, ticked me off again so I slammed it again – omg shoot me!
I had to take door off what hinges were still holding it, you know – go buy a hinge, wood putty the holes and wood glue on trim where it was splitting. Googled how best to inset a hinge, etc I made a mess, took me two weekends.
Story I seldom share, not my proudest moment.. I only beat up doors all
other fixtures are safe.
Your home will be a show place.
Haha this exercise with Cho May or may not be helping me develop my patience after many examples of things like that on the past lol.
omg stop with the slamming of doors! haha That’s what seemed to cause the issue in the first place. I can’t really talk, because I’m not that delicate of a mover myself. My grandfather often calls me a bull in a china shop, because I just have no awareness of how much force of bodily aggression I’m causing when I move around. I’m glad doors are the ONLY thing you beat up. 😉
Eric is hoping to make this a forever home, so with that, I don’t feel too much pressure to get it “done” so quickly.
This makes my heart sing. I’ve always wanted a forever home. But I am a nomad who must move on,
Step 1 for any project here is:
Put Katniss in my bedroom. Shut bedroom door.
Then I can allow the door to be open with no chance of feline escape.
Good job on the storm door. I remember storm doors and windows in Detroit.
Well now we know to lock Karma down in the basement. She’s quite the busy body. See, I’m learning how to do this whole home renovation thing now! One project at a time! haha
I forget, but are you still in the Detroit area? How did you like it? Were you there when it was POPPIN’?! Or there when it started to go downhill?
I left Detroit on my 13th birthday.. Long ago and far away and no storm doors here in OC So Cal.
We missed the riots there.
Detroit was highly segregated at the time and after we left. Our entire neighborhood flipped from white to black in the next years. During the riots all the homes were spared but the businesses burned. I went back after that for a business trip and met up with one of our former neighbors and went back to see our childhood homes. A woman asked what we were doing, taking pictures, and she was relieved that we were just revisiting. She said the only reason she could think was we were real estate agents.. She was worried her neighbors were moving.
Now if you look on Zillow, sadly, most of those very well built and nice homes are vacant. Taxes owed on them are crazy high and the value of the homes crazy low.
It really is sad. We didn’t love the weather but when we lived there it was a good place, but races were kept apart. My dad worked for Ford Motor Co in charge of their plans if there was another world war for Ford to convert to products for defense.
And another sad thing back then was how anti Semitic Henry Ford was. Ford HQ was in Dearborn and Jewish people were not allowed to live there. Greenfield Village was a fantastic collection of buildings, cars, trains, etc (including Thomas Edison’s entire workshop) and a plade where groups of girl scouts, boy scouts and others could have overnight visits. When my troop went, the leaders were warned not to bring any Jews.
The adult me would boycott
Whoa.. that was a trip down a rabbit hole.
Dearborn today (2010 census) had the largest Muslim population in the US. Things change, but stay the same thing.
I am glad you caught the escaping Karma!!
Hey Lynn, thanks for the in-depth answer. You bring up a lot of interesting points here such as the low property value yet high tax. Why is that? Are there cases of this phenomenon else where? I’m sure people have to consider that a lot when thinking about buying or investing.
It’s so weird you bringing up all these places like Dearborn, because as a Toledo native, I’ve grown up hearing about all of them. There used to be a mall that we would drive to all the way to Dearborn. It’s so interesting to hear your perspective on Ford.
You should actually go back there to visit sometime. It’s becoming a “hip” place to eat and drink. Eric doesn’t like when I use this word, but it’s totally being gentrified in certain areas.
Yes, I’m happy that our street is developing. Many of the long term residents have stayed while the homes left vacant by those that could not stay have been renovated and occupied.
I can say that our block and neighborhood contained some really well build homes. Lots of nice features. If someone could renovate it could be great again.
When I returned things looked good. Businesses had returned (though they were built with cinderblocks I guess to avoid fire again),
I assume the gentrification is downtown. We were 10 miles out but considered Detroit. Between 5 mile and 6 mile and Greenfield and Southfirld.
I have some pretty bad (worse than..) memories so going back probably won’t happen. But I do wish the city well.
I almost missed the latest Cho reno! Laughing about the Easy Hang. They lied! A storm door sounds like something you have in weathery places. Latest home renovation was a new faucet. The box made it sound easy. But got it working and no plumber required.
Is wondering why you named your cat Karma.
Oh I’m so happy you were able to catch us! Never miss a blog post. It’s kind of my fault for getting it to Tamara later that Saturday. Usually, I submit late Friday nights! this one was a bit rushed due to some irl business stuff going on that requires a lot of attention during my downtime.
They definitely lied about the Easy Hang. I feel like I should be able to take them to court over the matter. I definitely have a “pain and suffering” case.
New faucet? That sounds crazy difficult. Especially because it sounds like you had to remove the old one. What does it look like now? Did you replace it for functional reasons or for the aesthetic?
I didn’t name Karma, so that would be a better question for Eric.
It’s kind of weird. If you’ve seen Cho’s Instagram for the trim project, you’ll see her there. Check it out if not. She had a caramel color in her. So she started out being caramel latte which was just too many syllables for a cat that needs to be scolded so much lol. It was then shortened to Karma.
Oh yeah, pain and suffering. Don’t tell Eric, but there is nothing hotter than a man doing home repairs.I had some naughty thoughts watching my husband grunting and sweating under the sink.
It was a kitchen faucet, just aesthetic. Is wanting to do a full kitchen redo, like taking a sledgehammer to it.
Giggle, “naughty thoughts”
Oh no I agree! It is pleasing to date someone that is really handy. The problem is that I have no desire to be THAT handy person.
That would be really fun. If you do demo your kitchen, I would LOVE to stay updated. If you have an IG account or something, take pictures and share them with me! My IG is @That_Cho