Have you ever noticed that there are two holes where your screen door’s pneumatic closer attaches to the door itself? It’s not a mistake someone made at the manufacturing plant. Those holes are there for winter and summer adjustments, and they’ll keep your storm door from banging shut or remaining open when you lower or raise the glass panel for the season.

Adjusting your door for the winter

A piston-style door closer is shown mounted on a door with labels indicating parts, including the long connecting pin in the "summer season" hole, "winter season" hole, door bracket, adjustment screw for bypass valve, and the instruction label on the closer tube.TMB STUDIO

As the mercury starts to drop, it’s time to close the glass panel on your storm door. When you do that, be sure to place the connecting pin in the front hole of the closer tube (closest to the door bracket). This increases the closing pressure on the door in the last few inches of travel to ensure that the door latch snaps into the catch. If you don’t adjust the pin, the door won’t shut all the way and you’ll have a drafty house, not to mention a higher heating bill.

Adjusting your storm door for summer

When the screens are down and the glass is up, place the connecting pin in the rear hole of the closer tube (farthest from the door bracket). Now, instead of slamming shut, the door will slow down as it nears the door catch.

Adjusting the closer

It may also be necessary to adjust the pressure on the pneumatic closer. So if you need to increase or decrease the pressure exerted by the door closer, turn the screw controlling the bypass valve in the closer tube. Refer to the instructions on the pneumatic screen door closer label.