I just bought an old house that seems to have some questionable repairs done over the years, and I'm planning to make it feel like home. The main issue I have right now is with the front door, which has a left-side handle when viewed from outside, but the Larson storm door it's paired with has a right-side handle. I'm not sure if this was a mistake when it was purchased or if there was some quirky reasoning behind the setup. Ideally, I'd like the storm door to open the same way as the main door.
From what I've observed, the storm door's lockset mortise is cut into the metal frame on both sides and the closers are symmetrical, which gives me the impression that I could remove the hardware (hinge, lockset, strike, and closers), drill some new holes, and transfer everything to the opposite side. Before I dive in, I have a couple of questions:
1. Is there any reason not to attempt this? Are there potential pitfalls I should be aware of?
2. I realize that this will leave holes on the old side from the lockset. I'd love to find some filler plates that match the latch, but I've noticed Larson doesn't sell them. Any suggestions on where to source something like that?
I'm reaching out to Larson directly, but I wanted to gather some opinions from others as well.
2 Answers
Flipping the storm door sounds doable! Just keep in mind that while you can reposition the hinge and handle, you'll also have to move the trim and possibly adjust the brickmold around the door too. I’ve installed storm doors before, and the ability to pick the swing and drill on-site is super handy. Just be ready for a little more work than just the handle swap! Your door should have everything needed for a switch, just double-check any hardware you might need to reinstall.
I’d recommend sticking with the storm door as it is! If the main door is a hassle to flip, just remounting the storm door might be simpler in the long run. Plus, the door is in a corner, and changing it could block access where you wouldn’t want it to. For the filler plates, try local hardware stores or websites like Home Depot or Lowe's. They sometimes carry generic ones that might work well, even if they’re not branded with Larson.
Good point about the corner location! Sometimes things are better off as-is. In terms of filler plates, you might even check out Etsy or custom hardware shops online. They could have something that fits both your needs and aesthetic!
Yeah, I've seen this too! The thought of moving the trim is important since it's got to look good when you’re done. Honestly, it seems a bit like Larson’s design is meant to be flexible. As for the old holes, I’d be concerned about how that might affect the appearance overall, but if you're okay with the look, then it shouldn't be a dealbreaker.