How to upcycle security door into security screen for windows?

[dopeassmonkey]

Hi I am wanting to turn two old security doors into window screens.  Any one have any previous experience with this or any tips tricks or ideas. Thanks

  

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @dopeassmonkey. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about converting a security door screen in a window screen.

Upcycling security doors into window screens is an interesting idea, but it presents a number of challenges that would make the project quite complex. First, the size and dimensions of the security doors are usually tailored for door frames, which are larger and differently shaped than standard window frames. If the dimensions don't match, you'll need to resize both the metal frame and the mesh, which involves cutting and reassembling the components. This can be difficult to get right, as it requires precise measurements to ensure the new screen fits properly. Additionally, many security doors are welded together for strength, making disassembly a tricky process. 

After disassembling the door, you would also need to reassemble it, which might involve welding or using strong fasteners. This process demands a fair amount of metalworking skill and experience.

Let me tag a few of our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag to see if they have any thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @dopeassmonkey 

Mmmmmm as much as love the idea of recyling  see a few issues. Its something I havnt tried yet so its only theory tho

Fastening the edge of the new window screen to the mesh, not sure how you would do do that as if a burgulr pulls on the mess and it would pop out of the frame.

Fastening the whole security frame to the window itself. I also see this as an issue. Over time there have been several people in the community who have tried to modify windows only to crack them in the process.

Things that could work tho not confident.

-U shaped metal channel with 50mm on the one side and 20 mm on the other. Gives something to fasten the mesh to plus provide a hard edge.

-Maybe long pop rivets to stop the mesh from being pulled out. Use them for every weave of the security mesh that passes under the channel.

-Some ability to be able to pop the screen out from inside in case of fire. Not sure on the ruling for this.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @dopeassmonkey 

I am pretty much in the same camp as @MitchellMc regarding admiring your desire to recycle but at the same time the complex challenges. I have had a couple of projects where just the security door itself needed repair from someone falling into it from the inside (drunk). The first attempt was several hours of wasted time of trial and error and the 2nd was to eventually learn from the first time.

Security doors are factory made using mostly machines to cut and assemble and aren't designed to be pulled apart and repaired/repurposed. With that in mind I would suggest considering donating the metal to your local recycler.

regards, Nailbag

[dopeassmonkey]

Ended up just cutting to size and riveting some angle in front to hold it in... needs another coat on the angle still but I'm pretty happy with it.  Just got the other window to do now

 

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @dopeassmonkey,

It's always nice when you can repurpose materials and save them from the scrap heap.

They look great right now, but with a fresh coat of paint, they'll look fantastic.

Nice work and thank you for the update.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Morning @dopeassmonkey 

They look pretty nice The paint on my redone screen door has flaked a little in the year or so sonce ove done it. When you go to paint the screens it might be an idea to prep it more so then I did with mine (I wire brushed all the flaky stuff and then spray painted with white and black) 

The other thing is if you are goingto go for two toned colouring (white and black) then get the order right It was a pain when I did it.

Dave