Sunday, May 8, 2011

UPDATE on Vintage Mill Finish Aluminum Screen Doors - Monogram Letters Wanted (or, I'd Like to Buy a Vowel Pat)

I was a little surprised to discover that my most popular blog post focused on vintage mill finish aluminum screen doors.  That was last May.

We're up to 1,714 page views and 9 comments on that post.  The last several comments have dealt with the vintage monogram letters you could once get for the screen guards that were popularly used to dress up aluminum screen doors back in the old days.  I was lucky enough to even have one of the commenters set me up with the R that I was looking for.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to use that R yet.

The screen guard I have on our front door has a decorative twisted piece of aluminum that runs through the middle of the spot where a letter would otherwise mount.


And I don't want to cut the door guard.  So a few months later I picked up another door guard with the letter S already in it.  The door guard was painted white, and the letter S was painted orange.


I stripped most of the paint off the guard and the S, and installed the R in the "too short" screen guard to see how it would look.


But when I held it up to our front screen door, it was about an inch short of being wide enough to work.  At that point I put the project on hold.  As with trying to fix old cars, sometimes you just have to walk away for a while.  So it is with too short screen guards.

Since then, I've kept an eye on ebay auctions, but I haven't seen any other vintage door guards up for sale.

Anyway, here is where we stand with comments on that original post -  Lynol, who kindly gave me the R that I was looking for, told me last year he was looking for an H.  In March, Shio asked if anyone has an M to offer up.  And this weekend, Anonymous asked if anyone has an L.

And one other commenter a few weeks ago, Brett, said that he had all of the letters and they were for sale.  Whoa!!!  He left his email address on his comment, and right away I emailed Lynol at the address I had for him to let him know about this opportunity.

While putting this post together, I followed up with Brett to ask if I could post his email address and advertise the availability of those monogram letters.  Sadly, he said he scrapped all of those letters!  (Prices for scrap metals have been rising, so I kind of understand, and he did try to offer up what he had.  The same thing is happening with old cars.  Steel prices are high enough to make vintage "parts" cars more valuable by the ton than by the part.  That will mean fewer parts for future old car restorers.

So dear followers/commenters, I'm starting to think that just as Pam has a Save the Pink Bathrooms feature page, maybe I need to start a Save the Mill Finish Aluminum Screen Door Guards and Monogram Letters page.  (That would be a long URL.)

Anyway, I'm glad this blog post has given people somewhere to network on this screen door letter topic.  And I will keep looking for a door guard that will fit my door so I can actually install the letter R.

Feel free to post your needs, or letters you have to offer to someone who needs one, in the comment section below.  I'll look into putting together a Screen Door page. And if you have any leads on the history of these screen door guards or information about companies that used to make them, I'd like to hear from you.

43 comments:

  1. Wow, who knew they were in such high demand! I'll def. keep my eyes open for ya!

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  2. I may have been a huge culprit in making that a hugely popular post, I've been back and forth reading it a million times! We just ordered the mill finish aluminum screen door from Ace, and are looking like crazy for a grill and letter T!! Thank you x 100000000 for the original post!

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  3. Miss Marcella Lee, you are very welcome. Send me a picture when you get that door installed so we can post it to inspire others.

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  4. Hilarious. I, too, am a fan of vintage, mill-finish screen doors. Have two of them, from estate sales, in my basement. Have an extra "K" that I picked up somewhere, too! Tee hee.

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  5. We're looking for a couple of aluminum screen door inserts for the Hacienda (but hopefully not as pricey as the ones here: http://www.moonshineshades.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=12&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

    If anyone has a lead on where to get'em I'd be forever grateful!

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  6. I had forgotten about these letters - love them! I'm glad that you're doing this networking thing.

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  7. Thanks Eartha, and welcome to the blog! I'm hoping to get some time to start the screen door page soon.

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  8. I have a 'G' but need a 'K', please advise.

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  9. SK - you've got to keep watching ebay and maybe even post a wanted ad on your local craigslist.com. If I run into a K I'll certainly let you know here.

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  10. If you ever come across a "J," I've been looking for one for years for a gift for my husband! Ebay has had other letters, but otherwise, no such luck. I'd be happy to swap our "M" away

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  11. I have a B if any one needs it. I am looking for an H!

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    1. Do you still have this? Would love to buy! jporch44@hotmail.com

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  15. I am looking for a "vintage" H. (btw, thanks for making me feel old.) If not an H, perhaps some design like herons or similar. Thank you. I know they are out there somewhere! Email me at Peppercorns@4042.com THanks!!!

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  16. We are refinishing a 60 year old screen door for my Daughter and her new family. I am looking for a guard with the Letter "R" or any type of non letter guard.
    You can email me at jeffway8@yahoo.com

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  17. Terry Dec 1st
    I need the letter S for the center of aan aluminum screen door
    Thank-you e-mail please tmwbldr@hvc.rr.com

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  18. I have an "A" and I am looking for a "W" but I would also be interested in "X" as well.

    stevendwhitley gmail.com

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  19. I have a "C" and would love to find a "J"
    Thank you,

    email me at jalo83@yahoo.com

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  20. Hi! Still looking for a "B" if anyone has one for purchase. Also, I saw an "O" and an "I" here for $10:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/48133297/vintage-store-stock-aluminum-screen-door?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_includes[0]=tags&ga_search_query=letter+screen+door&ga_ref=related&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

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  21. I also am looking for an "S". I would also be interested in a scroll as well. Dog pretty much destroyed the one I have. Any help appreciated. plantdoc1@gmail.com

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  22. I am looking for a K if anyone has one for sale!
    Bmgdn9@mail.Missouri.edu

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  23. I am looking for 2 - "C" s
    VINTAGE 50'S 60'S ALUMINUM SCREEN DOOR INSERT LETTER INITIAL C

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  24. The house I moved into has two screen doors on the front of the house with "W" in them. I need "F's" since my last name starts with an F, so need two of them!

    I read about putting a want ad on Craigslist, so I'm gonna do that now. Why I didn't think of that before, I don't know! If anyone has any F's, let me know!

    clintmax1@gmail.com

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  25. garry52w@earthlink.netSeptember 11, 2013 at 12:20 AM

    Just bought a house built in the fifties and it has original aluminum storm doors on it. The front has a monogram "M" and the back has the bar through the center. I would be interested in trading an "M" for and "R" or finding an "R" to put into the front storm door. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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    1. Do you still have the M. I would love to get it if you do. llmosleyjr@msn.com

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  26. I'm looking for a letter B, if anyone has any ideas. alicia2brumley@yahoo.com

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  27. I have an "R" but I would like to find an "M" email is Tox1cchicken @ aim.com

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  28. Dear author, I have recently inherited my great grandmothers door initial. However it is very weathered / corroded / oxidized ? - not sure of the correct word. Do you have any suggestions for cleaning / polishing the aluminum? Thanks!!

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    1. Look for some aluminum wheel polish at an auto parts store. Before you start, try searching online for tips to restore aluminum wheels. Good luck!

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  29. would love to have the T if you still have it

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  30. Should these screens and initials not be painted? I was thinking about painting mine black.

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    1. Sure, they're paintable. Use primer first for better paint adhesion. If you decide later you don't like the painted look, stripping the paint can be a pain and can make it hard to return the letter's finish to looking natural.

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  31. I am looking for the initial "P" if anyone comes across one. Please contact me at s_r_pruter@yahoo.com.
    Many thanks.

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  32. I am looking for the initial "S" if anyone has one. Please let me know at debbie.schreck@gmail.com. Thank you!

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  33. I really need to replace the "S" on my great-grandma's house. Someone stole the original :(
    Please email Nicolelynnsheaves@gmail.com

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  34. Is there anyplace to buy the door, scroll, initial in all? I want the whole thing but can't find an architectural salvage that carries them. Thanks! cathy_thomas13@aol.com in in WV

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  35. Here's an older link for door sources http://retrorenovation.com/2012/08/27/mill-finish-aluminum-screen-door-midcentury-houses-3-places-buy-them/

    eBay is your likeliest source for the grill and letter

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  36. I have an "A" and I am looking for a "W" but I would also be interested in "X" as well. The A is rin really good shape. Came from a north facing door on a covered porch. Really need a "W" and can't seem to find one.

    You can msg me via MakingBoost on gmail.

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  37. I am seeking a vintage aluminum door insert 35" wide and 22" high overall.

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