Who Invented the Storm Door?

What is a Storm Door?

By definition, a storm door is installed in front of an exterior access door for the purpose of protecting it from adverse weather. The storm door also allows for ventilation when the exterior door is left open.

Storm doors are manufactured from a variety of different materials like wood, aluminum, vinyl, or fiberglass. Storm doors are made in three basic styles: full-view, ventilating, or retractable screen.

1. Full-view storm door: this style has a full-length glass panel. Sometimes this style will include an interchangeable full screen.

2. Ventilating storm door: a ventilating storm door will allow for air to pass through either a full or half screen that always remains in position within the frame.

3. Retractable screen storm door: also referred to as a “roll screen,” this newer style is a combination of a full-view and ventilating storm door. The screen is connected at the top of the storm door. This lets you switch between a full view when rolled up or ventilation when lowered.

History of the Storm Door

The storm door was a near-essential part of the house. Back in the days before vinyl and fiberglass, homes were made of wood. Windows, doors, and everything in between was made of this most common material on the market. Exterior doors were no exception. But wooden exterior doors, not being made from the most weatherproof material, needed something else to protect them. Thus, the storm door arrived on the scene with a promise to protect and extend the life of exterior doors.

The screen door dates back to the 19^th century Victorian era. During this period, manufacturers were able to mass produce materials like wire mesh and wooden frames. This allowed screen doors to spread widely across homes.

Before modern improvements, storm doors also helped keep out insects. In the 1800s, this was especially important for protecting families from disease and pests.

Origin of the Storm Door

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact inventor of the storm door, however, during the Civil War era in 1861, an employee at Gilbert and Bennett had an idea. Using surplus wire cloth, the material was coated to prevent rust and eventually used in window screens and door frames—leading to early storm door designs.

Persisting Myths

There’s a circulating myth that the screen door was invented in 1887 by Hannah Harger in Iowa. However, there is no historical record confirming this claim.

The more widely accepted origin points to the 1861 innovations at Gilbert and Bennett, which helped establish early screen and storm door technology.

Modern Storm Doors

Today, storm doors are less about necessity and more about convenience and style. Modern exterior doors made from fiberglass and steel already provide strong protection against weather damage.

However, storm doors still provide ventilation and an extra layer of insulation and security. They also allow homeowners to enjoy fresh air without fully opening the main entry door.

Storm doors continue to be a practical upgrade for many homes.

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