We'd like a new screen door.
Something in wood please.
Yes, we'd like to have the screen just in the top half.
Well, it's the dog, you see. He jumps up on our screen door and then drags his nails down the door when he wants to be let in. I don't dare raise the window over the screen. He'd tear it to shreds in a second.
Yes, well, that's the thing. It'd be really great if he had his own door. We're so cramped in the kitchen. It's awkward to let him in and out and it's quite the interruption. And I'm not going to be able to keep the screen door propped open much longer. The bugs are coming.
We need, oh, about 16" at least, preferably more, on the bottom. Oh, I know it doesn't really need to be as large as 2 feet or anything, but there's that problem with his nails.
You have something?
Really? Every where else we've been, well, there's nothing. We're not asking for anything complicated or special. In fact, the simpler, the better.
Let's see what you've got.
Oh, that's lovely. I just love that! And you can put in extra strong mesh for the screening for $30.00? Yes, that would be an excellent idea.
Oh, the dog door is extra?
Well, he's a big beagle, so, well, I guess we'd better get the medium sized one. 9"x11"? Yes, that would do.
An extra $130.00?
Oh.
How much is the door, itself then?
Oh. $559. Plus tax. Plus shipping from New York. Oh.
Well, this one is nice. It'll do. How much is it?
$299. Oh. Well, thank you very much for your time.
The moral of the story?
What you are looking for exists, really it does. Whether you can ever afford it, though, is quite another matter!
A basic screen door cannot be hard to build. Honestly. So, I'll be going to the library tomorrow and looking through the DIY section. Again. Wonder whether the husband will feel like it's something he can do?
(Images and prices from Vintage Doors).
Is the door in question a "normal" sized door? I mean, standard? Since I am sure you have already checked your local lumber yards I won't offer that advice.
ReplyDeleteDown here we have Re-Stores. They are run by Habitat for humanity. Contractors (and people) donate building materials and salvage that they have pulled out of homes during remodels or extra supplies for re sale (and the money goes to the charity) I was at our local one yesterday and there were hundreds of doors. Actually there was hundreds of everything. sinks, cabinets, you name it. Anything like that where you live?
ReplyDeleteHere are some pet doors to install in a regular storm door.
Some of these seem more reasonably priced...
Thank you Colleen! I really don't like the "separate" dog doors, with the flap, now that I've seen how nice the "built-in" dog doors look, but that is probably what we'll end up with. The husband is convinced we'll be able to find "something" he work with. We'll certainly keep looking--perhaps a local door store will have something I hope!)
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the door. I've also been having a lot of recent, "oh is that what it costs to have something I actually like" experiences. Nothing is cheap anymore.
ReplyDelete