Mahogany Storm Door

[waynew]

We wanted a storm door with a modern appearence but couldn't find anything of quality from any of the stores.
Here is the initial storm door design, I'd appreciate comments regarding its suitability for the job and to withstand the elements from a design point of view. The screen is attached on the inside of the door using hinges and magnets, its can be easily opened to access the sliding window. The door will be finished with a high quality marine spar varnish with UV blockers.

Requirements:
1) Protection from elements (Canadian winter)
2) Protection from insects
3) Allow breeze and fresh air to circulate in warmer seasons
4) Modern appearence

Other design aspects:
Thickness of frame: 1 1/2"
Joinery - Floating tenon

Thanks,
Wayne

Front View (Outside of door)

Back View (Inside of door)

 

[sw1211]

Looks nice, just a question on the louviers, will bugs be able to slip through between the slats?

 

[Pete Pedisich]

Wayne,

Hi. I would be concerned about the screen insert being swung open each time to adjust the window - it seems it might be too vulnerable.
Why not just a individual glass and screen inserts? Is it near the water? I can understand wanting both, as you are ready for any weather.

Pete

 

[wnagle]

Wayne,

I made a screen door last summer out of Cedar and oiled it with Australian oil.  Seems like it will do well, plus I told the owner to re oil it every year.  The oil requires no scraping or sanding to re apply.  I wanted to make the door out of Mahogany but they wouldn't spring for the extra cost.  If I would have used Mahogany, I still would have used a yearly coat of oil to avoid sanding of flaking marine varnish.

As for your design, you will need to put screen on the inside of the door over the louvers to keep the insects out.  Also when you slide the window up, you will create a gap for to get in bugs when the upper rail of the sliding window separates from the lower rail of the upper window.  I think I would consider designing it with removable screens and windows.  Makes it easier to replace screens and glass when needed and avoids sticking slides.

 

[waynew]

Looks nice, just a question on the louviers, will bugs be able to slip through between the slats?

Hi Steve,

They probably will get through the louvers but the screen will prevent them from getting any further. One problem with this is that they might accumulate between the louvers and the screen (at the bottom) and the only solution would be to place the screen on the outside of the door, however this would be quite easy to keep clean because the screen will be easy to open from the inside. The reason for not doing this was both ascethic and the problem presented with rain and snow draining back out again. If there is no screen on the outside its much easier for the water to drain back out. The 2 lower rails have a slight angle to facilitate drainage.

Wayne

 

[waynew]

Wayne,

Hi. I would be concerned about the screen insert being swung open each time to adjust the window - it seems it might be too vulnerable.
Why not just a individual glass and screen inserts? Is it near the water? I can understand wanting both, as you are ready for any weather.

Pete

Hi Pete,

I could beef up the mahogany around the screen, say a nice 2" x 5/8" with a center rail. The weather we have here is all over the place and I need to be able to open and close the window at a moments notice due to heavy pounding rains followed by strong sun. This door is the door to the mud room and has to appear somewhat pleasing to the eye because its the main entry way to the home.

Wayne

 

[waynew]

Hi Wayne,

I'll think about the oil, currently I have a mahogany surround for the door which was built about 3 years ago, I used a very expensive marine spar varnish and it has held up extremely well.

As for your design, you will need to put screen on the inside of the door over the louvers to keep the insects out.

Yep the screen is on the inside and entends the full heightof the door.

Wayne