There's a unique charm to older homes, with their solid construction, unique architectural details, and character that can't be replicated. But that character often comes with a challenge: non-standard door openings. If you've ever tried to buy a storm door from a big-box store, you know that they are made for a very specific, modern standard size. So, what do you do when you need a custom height storm door for your tall, elegant entryway or a custom size storm doors solution for a narrow or wide opening?

The search for custom made storm doors can feel intimidating. Who makes them? How much will they cost? How long will it take? This guide is here to answer those questions. We'll walk you through the process of measuring for a custom door, explore the common materials like custom aluminum storm doors, and answer the big question: who makes custom size storm doors?

But we'll also ask a more fundamental question: what is the primary goal you want to achieve? If you need a heavy-duty barrier against harsh weather, a special order storm doors unit is the right path. But if your main goal is to get bug-free ventilation for your uniquely-sized door, there's a modern, far more affordable, and incredibly convenient alternative that you need to know about.

Why Do I Need a Custom Storm Door? The Sizing Dilemma

Standard storm doors are mass-produced to fit the most common modern door opening, which is typically around 36 inches wide by 80 inches high. However, homes built before the mid-20th century, or custom-built homes of any era, often feature doorways that are taller, shorter, narrower, or wider.

You'll likely need a custom height storm door if:

• You live in an older home (Victorian, Craftsman, Colonial, etc.).
• Your home has custom architectural features like an arched or non-rectangular doorway.
• Your doorway is simply taller or shorter than the standard 80 inches.

Trying to make a standard door fit a non-standard opening is a recipe for disaster. It will result in large, unsightly gaps that defeat the purpose of the door, and it can compromise the structural integrity of your door frame.

The Benefits of a True Storm Door

Before we explore alternatives, it's important to acknowledge what a true storm door is designed to do. Its primary functions are:

1. Weather Protection: It provides a crucial barrier that protects your main entry door from rain, snow, ice, and wind, prolonging its life and finish.
2. Insulation: It creates an insulating air pocket between the storm door and your main door, which can help reduce heat loss in the winter and keep your home cooler in the summer.
3. Ventilation: Most storm doors have a screen component, either as a swappable insert or a self-storing panel, allowing for bug-free airflow.
4. Added Security: A locked storm door provides an additional barrier against intruders.

If your primary need is robust protection from harsh weather, a well-made storm door is an excellent investment.

How to Measure for Custom Size Storm Doors

Accurate measurement is the most critical step in the custom order process. You'll need a good tape measure.

1. Measure the Width: Measure the width of the opening between the inside faces of your exterior brickmould (the trim around your door frame). Take three measurements: one near the top, one in the middle, and one near the bottom. Use the smallest of these three measurements.
2. Measure the Height: Measure the height from the bottom threshold (where the door will sit) to the underside of the top brickmould. Again, take three measurements: one on the left, one in the middle, and one on the right. Use the smallest of these three measurements.
3. Check for Square: Measure the opening diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right, and then from the top right corner to the bottom left. If the two measurements are the same, your opening is square. If they are different, make a note of it for your supplier.

Having these precise measurements is non-negotiable when ordering custom made storm doors.

The Big Question: Who Makes Custom Size Storm Doors?

Finding a manufacturer is the key to your project. Here are your main options as of mid-2025:

• Major National Brands (via Special Order): Companies like Andersen, Pella, Larson, and ProVia are leaders in the industry. While their in-store stock is standard-sized, they all offer special order storm doors. You would typically work with a dealer or a big-box store's pro desk to go through their catalog, provide your measurements, and place a custom order.
• Local Window and Door Companies: This is often an excellent route. Local, independent door and window suppliers and installers frequently have relationships with manufacturers who specialize in custom fabrication. They can handle the measurement, ordering, and installation for you.
• Custom Fabrication Shops: In some areas, you may find smaller, specialized shops that build custom doors from scratch. This can be a great option for truly unique or historical applications, such as replicating a specific design for a historic home.

The most common material for these doors is aluminum. A custom aluminum storm doors unit is strong, relatively lightweight, and can be fabricated to precise dimensions, making it the go-to choice for custom orders.

The Custom Order Process: What to Expect

Ordering a custom height storm door is not a quick process.

• Lead Times: Be prepared to wait. Manufacturing lead times for custom orders can range from several weeks to a few months, depending on the manufacturer and the complexity of the door.
• Cost: Customization comes at a premium. A custom-sized storm door will be significantly more expensive than a standard-sized one—often two to three times the cost or more.
• Installation: Due to the value and complexity of the door, professional installation is almost always recommended to ensure a perfect fit and to protect your warranty.

SORA_PROMPT: A beautiful, but oddly-sized, arched doorway on an old brick home. A person is looking at a measuring tape and then at a laptop with a frustrated expression, showing the complexity of ordering a custom storm door. The scene highlights the challenge and potential high cost of finding a solution for a non-standard opening.

Rethinking the Solution: What Is Your Main Goal?

Facing the high cost and long lead times of a custom storm door, it's worth taking a step back to ask a critical question: What is the number one reason I want this door?

Scenario A: Your primary need is to protect your expensive, historic front door from brutal winters and driving rain. You need that heavy-duty barrier. In this case, a true custom made storm doors unit is the right, albeit costly, solution.

Scenario B: Your main door is already well-protected by an overhang or porch. Your primary goal is to be able to open that beautiful, custom-height door to let in a breeze without letting in bugs. You want ventilation and insect protection above all else.

If you fall into Scenario B, there is a much simpler, faster, and more affordable custom-fit solution.

The Modern Alternative: A Custom-Fit Solution for Ventilation

Instead of ordering a heavy, expensive, and complex custom storm door, consider a custom-fit magnetic screen door from Coverwith. This innovative approach directly solves the biggest challenge—the custom size—without the associated cost and complexity.

Why a Magnetic Screen is a Smarter Solution for Ventilation:

• It's ALWAYS a Custom Fit: This is the core strength of Coverwith. It doesn't matter if your door is tall, short, narrow, or wide. You provide your exact measurements, and a screen is made to fit your frame perfectly. The "custom size" problem is completely solved.
• A Fraction of the Cost: A custom magnetic screen door is dramatically more affordable than even the most basic custom aluminum storm doors. You can get a perfect-fit solution for a fraction of the price.
• Immediate Gratification: Forget waiting months for a special order storm doors unit to be built. A custom magnetic screen is typically produced and shipped in a matter of days or weeks, not months.
• Unmatched Convenience: No storm door can offer the convenience of a magnetic screen. It's hands-free for carrying groceries, self-closing so kids don't leave it open, and perfectly pet-friendly.
• Simple, Damage-Free Installation: Installing a heavy storm door is a major project. A Coverwith screen installs in minutes with strong adhesive fasteners. There's no drilling, no complex hardware, and no damage to your beautiful, unique door frame.

This solution acknowledges that your main door already provides security. The magnetic screen's only job is to provide perfect, convenient, bug-free ventilation—and for that task, it's a superior solution to the screen function of a cumbersome storm door.

A Head-to-Head Comparison for Your Custom Opening

Feature	Custom Height Storm Door	Coverwith Custom Magnetic Screen
Primary Function	Weather Protection & Insulation	Ventilation & Insect Protection
Custom Sizing	Yes, but expensive and long lead times	Yes, standard, affordable, and fast
Cost	Very High	Low to Moderate
Installation	Complex, often requires professional	Simple, tool-free, DIY in minutes
Hands-Free Use	No	Yes, self-closing
Pet-Friendliness	Poor	Excellent
View	Obstructed by frame and glass	Completely unobstructed full view

Conclusion: The Smart Choice for Your Unique Home

Living in a home with character and non-standard features is a joy, but it requires smart solutions. When faced with the need for a custom height storm door, you have a clear choice. If your primary need is a heavy-duty shield against the elements, then investing the time and money into a custom made storm doors from a reputable manufacturer is the correct path.

However, if your main desire is to finally open up that beautiful, unique doorway to enjoy fresh, bug-free air, you now have a far more practical and intelligent option. A custom-fit magnetic screen door provides a perfect fit for any size opening at a fraction of the cost and with none of the installation hassle. It delivers a modern, convenient solution that allows you to embrace the unique character of your home without being penalized by the high price of custom-built hardware.

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Ready to Take on a Door Project?

You've just learned all about the options for tackling a custom-sized doorway. Whether you choose a traditional storm door or a modern magnetic screen, a perfect installation is key. For general tips and guides on attaching a screen door, our comprehensive pillar page has all the information you need.

[Master Your Screen Door Installation Skills]

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Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Storm Doors

How much more does a custom size storm doors unit cost than a standard one?

The cost can vary greatly, but it's common for a custom or special order storm doors unit to cost anywhere from 50% to 200% more than its standard-sized equivalent. The price increases with the degree of customization (e.g., unusual size, arched top).

I'm asking who makes custom size storm doors. Are there any cheap options?

Unfortunately, "custom" and "cheap" rarely go together in the world of storm doors. The process of retooling a factory line for a single, unique door is inherently expensive. The most affordable way to get a custom-sized screen solution is to opt for an alternative like a custom-fit magnetic screen door.

What is the typical lead time for a custom height storm door?

As of 2025, you should expect a lead time of anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks for most major brands. Highly specialized or complex orders could take even longer. Always confirm the estimated delivery time before placing your order.

Can I get custom aluminum storm doors with a pet door built in?

Yes, most major manufacturers that offer custom storm doors also offer the option to have a pet door factory-installed into the door. This will add to the overall cost and may affect the warranty on some components.

My doorway is arched. Can I still get a door?

Getting a traditional, functional arched storm door is an extremely specialized and expensive project, and very few manufacturers offer it. However, getting a custom-arched magnetic screen door from a provider like Coverwith is a much more accessible and popular solution for screening these beautiful but challenging openings.