Storm Door Installation Problem

I am in the process of installing a new storm door.
Something is definitely not right. The door doesn't
close properly. The top is okay but the bottom sticks
out about an inch from where it should be. This is
unacceptable. I removed the door until I have a solution
to this problem. Any ideas on how to correct this?
Thanks

 

If you are referring to the door not hitting the weatherstripping evenly on the latch side when the door closes, it sounds like the surface you are mounting it on is racked. This means the surface the door is mounted to is not all in the same plane.

If at all possible, you would want to adjust the exterior trim of the door until it is plumb... or at least so that the left and right are out of plumb the same amount. For instance... if the door was fine on the top right corner, but was sticking out 1" on the bottom right corner, then you would need to make the following adjustment:

Top left trim should be shimmed out 1/2", bottom right trim should be shimmed out 1/2". The top right trim and bottom left trim would remain tight where it is, but you would ensure that the trim is straight by checking it with a straightedge and shimming it inbetween where needed. (shim behind the trim, then caulk the gap shut with a good sealant).

 

Sticks out where? laterally across the frame, or just not closing properly? The Z-bar must sit solidly along the hinge side of the frame, and can't be twisted, or the door will not close properly. The most important screws you have in the kit are the three or four that go into the zbar flat along the jamb, behind each hinge. That will square it up to the jamb, so it will close properly.

 

I'm not sure what the problem is. I thought that I had it
square up against the jam. There is no obvious problem with
the door. When it is closed completly at the top on the
lock side, there is a large gap down at the bottom.
I will try it again. If this doesn't help, shimming might be
necessary? Please explain again how to do this.
What do I use for the shims?
Thanks Again

 

If your hinge side is fastened tightly to a plumb jamb, and there is a gap at the bottom, would it be possible to move the latch zbar closer to the door and fasten it? That would close the gap. Then if necessary you could shim the latch side, although it always necessary. Sometimes if the gap is 1/4" all the way up, I will rip a piece of lattice and place it in the gap.

 

I have been experimenting by shimming the top right and
bottom left out until it balances out. It seems to be working.
Thanks for your help

 

Sounds great! Thanks for posting your results.