1) In between our garage and the family room, there is a steel door. Common sense tells me that this is a safety measure in case something happens in the garage. My understanding is that this door should close automatically. However, ours doesn't. Any suggestions on fixing that?

2) Our sliding doors out to our deck do not currently have a screen door. I would like to put one in, and need to know the best way to go about making sure it will fit properly and how to prepare the tracks so it will slide freely. Several years ago, I replaced the screen door and it never really fit right and did not slide freely no matter what I did. Now with 2 kids that are "in and out, in and out" I really need to take care of this.

 

You could install spring hinges on the garage door. Commercial buildings usually have to close automatically but I have not seen this in a residential application.
Most tracks for screens can be lubed with silicone spray or graphite. My last screen door had wheels on the bottom that could be adjusted in height for leveling and adjusting the fit. Good luck.

 

We have to install spring hinges on all doors lateral to a garage. If the garage is part of the house basement, then all doors off the garage must be fire rated and have spring hinges. Just for info.
If you wanted more solid closing, Ryobi makes a hydraulic door closer that doesn't look commercial.

 

Thank you for the suggestions.

 

Garage entry doors are required to be fire rated, but they are not required to be self closing for residential. Not a bad idea, though. You can install automatic closers on them, available in a variety of types, for a simple spring to commercials closers. The simple types are likely available at big box, but the more reliable types are at hardware and specialty door shops.

The correct screen is the one the manufacturer makes, if you can find the brand name. It will roll/slide correctly and seal at both ends. Home/lumber yards carry generic screens that may work in your existing tracks.