How to fix issues with screen doors

Question No. 1

Robert, I went to the local “big box store” and purchased a “phantom” screen for the front door, the kind that rolls like a blind, only horizontally. I paid good money for this, but it seems to be a constant problem, binding and not moving smoothly. I was assured that this was quality and I followed all of the installation instructions. I’ve returned this and now gone to another big box store to purchase a different type, and have installed it. I am having the same issues with this one, and again, I followed all installation instructions perfectly. Do you have an opinion on these screens, have you any experience with them? Al R.

Al,

This is one of those situations where I always let the pros do what they do best. They deal with these products on a daily basis, and they use commercial grade products.

These phantom or invisible doors can be temperamental, as they roll into a cylinder and need to be of quality and to be durable. You’ll be paying slightly over $400 per door, but all of the problems that you are experiencing will go away.

I happen to have one and like you, installed my own at first but once I experienced exactly what you are, I went right to the pros and let them do it for me, and haven’t had a problem with it since.

I strongly recommend you try this route, and know that you’ll be happy with the decision. Let me know if you’d appreciate a referral to the company that I used, they’re great. Good luck.

Question No. 2

Robert, I am a contractor here in Santa Clarita and respect the information that you share. There is something that has been brought to my attention and I’d some clarification from you, as you have much more experience than I. I was in a supply house recently and learned that OSHA has put in new requirements that require a vacuum attachment when coring holes. I don’t know the specifics, can you speak on this for clarification, please? Is everyone bound to use this under all circumstances or is there a certain situation that would call for it? Mike M.

Mike,

There isn’t a lot of literature out there on this specifically. For the readers, this is a device that is attached to a vacuum and has a guard on the end which allows the drill bit to enter the work area, and there are brushes around it.

This is designed for production work and is geared toward the technician, keeping the dust down and therefore, affecting the technician/s less than if that dust were let to fly as it would.

I would say Mike, that if you are doing a small single core then you likely don’t have much to worry about however, I always lean toward the direction of overkill rather than doing too little, so it certainly won’t hurt to use this any time you are coring. Of course if you are doing larger cores or deep cores, I recommend that this be nonoptional, as this will eliminate any issues for everyone involved. Be sure of course, that anyone coring is using the proper protective gear for eyes, ears, nose, mouth and hands. Good luck.