Has anyone ever installed plexiglass glass on their screen door?

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

I'm so sick of having the close the heavy, friction hinged door and slam it for every 'in and out' which at some points of the day can be numerous.

Has anyone ever just custom cut plexiglass and inserted it into the screen areas?

I have a TON of plexiglass panels left over from COVID when my restaurant's bar was required to have the barrier between staff and customers.

 

[norty1]

My last 2 rigs have panels installed with Lexon material. Had it cut at Lowes to fit the bottom. The top is a flexible clear material used to fill sliding doors that protect pools from weather in winter. I took My door to them and they cut and installed it like screening. It is clear and durable.

 

[Jagiven]

I've seen it, never done it.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

My last 2 rigs have panels installed with Lexon material. Had it cut at Lowes to fit the bottom. The top is a flexible clear material used to fill sliding doors that protect pools from weather in winter. I took My door to them and they cut and installed it like screening. It is clear and durable.

I'm not sure what that flexible stuff is that you mention, or what it is called.

I can cut the bottom piece, with the right saw blade.
The top, I could make a template and cut it.
What could I use to keep them in place? I've seen plexiglass installed with strips of wood, screwed in to keep panels in place, but how could I secure the panel in the door frame?

 

[craigav]

I'm not sure what that flexible stuff is that you mention, or what it is called.

I can cut the bottom piece, with the right saw blade.
The top, I could make a template and cut it.
What could I use to keep them in place? I've seen plexiglass installed with strips of wood, screwed in to keep panels in place, but how could I secure the panel in the door frame?

Just a thought of what I would likely use. In fact, I may do the same one day. My thought here is I like the screen sometimes so by using velcro I could remove the lexan or plexiglass if\when desired. ~CA

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Just a thought of what I would likely use. In fact, I may do the same one day. My thought here is I like the screen sometimes so by using velcro I could remove the lexan or plexiglass if\when desired. ~CA

That's a good idea. Still, what/where would the anchor velcro be adhering, to? It's early, so I can't go look at the screen door, right now and I have to go to work.

Easily removable would be nice, for cooler camping weather.

When I get home, I'm going to check it out.

 

[norty1]

I'm not sure what that flexible stuff is that you mention, or what it is called.

I can cut the bottom piece, with the right saw blade.
The top, I could make a template and cut it.
What could I use to keep them in place? I've seen plexiglass installed with strips of wood, screwed in to keep panels in place, but how could I secure the panel in the door frame?

It's called Vellum, aka 10ml polyvinyl, known as EZE breeze. Ask around at a place that sells pool or sunroom enclosures.

https://specialadditionsinc.com/pool-enclosures/
Last time I did my new rig, they gave me an end piece that was enough to do my new rig. It attaches with press in rubber just like a screen door.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

It's called Vellum, aka 10ml polyvinyl, known as EZE breeze. Ask around at a place that sells pool or sunroom enclosures.

https://specialadditionsinc.com/pool-enclosures/


Last time I did my new rig, they gave me an end piece that was enough to do my new rig. It attaches with press in rubber just like a screen door.

Ohhh. I see. I think I'm not familiar with it because it would definitely be a southern/warm climate (popular) item. The pool enclosures are very popular down there in Florida. I doubt I'll be able to find it (easily) up here in CT.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

I'm so sick of having the close the heavy, friction hinged door and slam it for every 'in and out' which at some points of the day can be numerous.

Has anyone ever just custom cut plexiglass and inserted it into the screen areas?

I have a TON of plexiglass panels left over from COVID when my restaurant's bar was required to have the barrier between staff and customers.

Okay. Found a couple videos. Looks pretty straight forward. One guy used Velcro against the frame of the door, but I immediately thought there would be a gap made by the Velcro all around the edges of the plexiglass, except where there's velcro.

I thought "weatherstripping" and sure enough, found another guy/gal installing with weather stripping.

I'm thinking the plexiglass I have 'might' be too heavy. It's pretty thick stuff. I was hoping to be able to use it, but I might have to go with a thinner alternative.

VIDEOS:

Velcro. One piece. Attached on outside frame with Velcro and potential gaps to let in hot air.

Weather striping on 5th wheel door that has a lip on he outside to hold the plexiglass and add the weatherstripping. (this is not my kind of door.) My door has a flush outer face.

THIS video is simple, as he installs for the purpose of dogs ruining screen. BUT this is the type door I have; on the inside of the door there's a channel where a piece of plexiglass can be manipulated into the channel. The top is the same, but would need more custom cutting for radius corners at the top of the door.

 

[norty1]

You will need to move to Florida!

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

You will need to move to Florida!

I almost pulled that trigger a coupe of times. Then, we opened the restaurant here, which is our CT anchor, for a few more years to come.

 

[fireguyed]

I'm not sure what that flexible stuff is that you mention, or what it is called.

I can cut the bottom piece, with the right saw blade.
The top, I could make a template and cut it.
What could I use to keep them in place? I've seen plexiglass installed with strips of wood, screwed in to keep panels in place, but how could I secure the panel in the door frame?

My screen door has a "track" inboard of the screen; I believe about 1/8" or 3/16". I've only done the bottom and center sections so far. I measured the opening size, added 1/8" in both directions, and cut 1/8" plexi. It is flexible enough to bend and put in the track. If I do the top section, I will make it removable when it is nice and you want fresh air.

 

[hikerjohn7]

Lexon In Screen Door

I'm so sick of having the close the heavy, friction hinged door and slam it for every 'in and out' which at some points of the day can be numerous.

Has anyone ever just custom cut plexiglass and inserted it into the screen areas?

I have a TON of plexiglass panels left over from COVID when my restaurant's bar was required to have the barrier between staff and customers.

My screen door is probably a standard design and has a groove that run next to the screen. I cut Lexon to fit in it. Here's a photo...

 

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

Used polycarbonate panel, two 1X1/8 aluminum straps, four 1/4" SS nuts, bolts, washers, six SS #8x1/4 or 3/8 sheet metal screws
Cut lexan and straps to size
Drill holes in straps and panel, 1/4" for bolts, smaller for #8 screws
Bolt straps to panel
Screw assembled panel to door frame, drilling holes as you go
Placed two screws on top end of straps for reinforcement and to keep panel from shifting

 

[Bud P]

I cut plexiglass when I made mine. Previous owner had made one which was really ugly and installed it with clear caulking. Whatever you do, don't do THAT. Over time, you will want to remove the plexiglass to clean it so make sure not to try to make it permanent. Don't worry about a few little air leaks...you're glamping remember?? Endure a few little hardships... I used clips like are used on holding panels in place on the old style residential screen door. Cheap but effective and if you want to remove a panel (I made mine with upper, lower and small square panel beside the door latch panel) you can easily remove and replace for air flow.

 

[hikerjohn7]

Lexan in screen door

Used polycarbonate panel, two 1X1/8 aluminum straps, four 1/4" SS nuts, bolts, washers, six SS #8x1/4 or 3/8 sheet metal screws
Cut lexan and straps to size
Drill holes in straps and panel, 1/4" for bolts, smaller for #8 screws
Bolt straps to panel
Screw assembled panel to door frame, drilling holes as you go
Placed two screws on top end of straps for reinforcement and to keep panel from shifting

This application looks good too.

I have thought about just removing the screen since we almost always have the AC's on and the screen door closed. That way you can clean both sides of the Lexan panels without having to remove them.

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Thanks everyone. I checked out that Lexan...man that stuff is expensive! I hate the fact that I have a TON of plexiglass panels but can't use them because of their thickness.

I look to have the inside track on my door, so I think I'kk use that with something flexible.

 

[hikerjohn7]

Lexan in screen door

Thanks everyone. I checked out that Lexan...man that stuff is expensive! I hate the fact that I have a TON of plexiglass panels but can't use them because of their thickness.

I look to have the inside track on my door, so I think I'kk use that with something flexible.

Yes, if you have a track like my door does, you cut the Lexan to the exact size so you can just snap it into the groove. I added some stainless, flat head screws along the all four edges to act like little clamps.