Save the Mill Finish Aluminum Screen Door Guards and Monogram Letters

One of my more popular blog posts was in May 2010 and the subject was aluminum scroll work screen guards, and the monogram letters that you used to see all the time in these old mill finish aluminum screen doors.  I also did an update post here.

Occasionally I see these guards and aluminum letters pop up on eBay.com or Etsy.com - search for 'screen' 'storm' 'door'  letter' 'monogram' 'aluminum' in any combo.  It's hard to put an average price on the grilles / screen guards because they are so varied.  Be sure you know the width of your door so you don't end up with a guard that won't fit your door.

If you watch your local Craigslist.com ads for "teardown" sales or "demolition" sales, or look through the Materials for sale section you may find the mill finish style of screen door for sale, and often these still have the grill guards included.  It is possible to find new mill finish storm doors -- one company that makes them is Croft LLC, and these may be available through chains such as Ace and Do It Best hardware.

Whether you are buying new or used, you do have to pay attention to the width of your door opening, and which way you want the screen door to swing, because the old doors may not be easy to switch from one direction of swing to the other -- it depends on the kind of door handle that was used and how creative you could be at covering up old screw holes (put a screw in the hole and most people won't notice).  For a bit more on finding a new mill finish screen door and parts, see this post at the NoPatternRequired blog, and tell them Uncle Atom sent ya.

I transplanted one of the scroll-work guards (or grilles, or grills, or grates, pick your favorite term) screen door in our front entry.  It really gave the door a finished and vintage look.  The only thing missing from my entry is the monogram letter R.  I have an R but I would have to cut up the grille to make the monogram fit, and I just can't bring myself to do that.

The individual monogram letters typically sell for around $5-15 each, but sometimes less.  If you are looking for a particular letter, you can post it below in the Comments section with an email address, and be sure to also check the Comments section of these older blog posts, here, and here.  Transactions or trades are up to you to work out on your own.

Good luck with your hunt - these doors and the guards and monogram letters are worth saving and they'll give a nice added touch to your mid century door and entry.







66 comments:

  1. Cool! I have a letter K (for my daughter Kate) that I picked up at a yard sale for 50cents. Didn't know anyone but me was actively looking for them! http://practiceintime.blogspot.com/2011/09/flea-market-friday-salad-days-and-pyrex.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. geesh! so excited to find a "K" how get in touch?

      Delete
  2. Hi,
    I have the letter R already in the grill if interested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melissa,
      Please email me about the R and door guard
      UncleAtom at gmail dot com

      Delete
    2. Letter r still available? Just bought my first home....i have a P in mine, but need an R.
      Email byethegroove at gmail.com

      Delete
  3. Hello Uncle Atom,

    I'm looking for an old fashion aluminum storm door with and "F" monogram (with scroll work). I am having trouble finding anything. Can you help?

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Anon,
      Sorry I don't know of any, but I suggest creating searches on ebay, etsy.com, and your local craigslist to notify you when something close to your search is available. You can always check back here regularly.

      Delete
  4. For anyone with a question, it would help if you don't post here Anonymously, because there's no way to follow up with you except for hoping you will check back to this page. Please post with an ID if at all possible. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so happy and excited to report that I've finally (after a year of searching our local area) found a grill for our front screen door! The door, thanks to you was from Ace Hardware and the grill was residing on a vintage door at the dump. Unfortunately the door was badly damaged and too big for our house. I am continuing the hunt for letter "T"!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I had replied to your fabulous blog entry a few months ago about my search for a grill and a letter T, and I am happy to report that after searching the local area for what seems like an eternity my husband came home from the dump yesterday with a fabulous vintage grill for the front door! Next up is to find the T and refinish the door behind the amazing screen door (that we purchased at our local Ace Hardware, thanks be to you)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations! I'm glad that information was helpfule.

      Delete
  7. Hello all,

    I am looking for a letter L to place in our screen door insert. If anyone has one let me know. The email is black29roadster@yahoo.com Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. There is a seller on etsy that is selling several different letters, and for cheap. I just bought one to replace the one on our new home's storm door. Check it out here:

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/103373290/vintage-aluminum-storm-door-letter

    Looks like they have I, J, L, N, O and Y.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello! I found this board while doing research on a couple of screen door grill insert monogram letters that I was going to sell online. I thought I would offer them here first to see if anyone is interested.
    I have 2

    1). Letter "S" aluminum with a beige sprayed on reflective coating.

    2). Letter "N" aluminum with a pebble finish.
    Shows slight signs of oxidation.

    Both are 6 inches wide measured across the back. Pics are available.

    Thanks,

    socalhoun11@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I didn't realize these wee so hard to find. I did find that Cartun Hardware in Camden NJ has the non-monogram variety, but only in 36 inches. They are distributed by Mackinberg-something in Oklahoma but I couldn't find them on their website.

    ReplyDelete
  11. we have an H and last night I watched the movie Mercury Rising (Bruce willis) and the kids' door has an L.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am looking for an H for the screen door of an old farm house we bought. I would be very interested in learning more about what you have.
      Thanks
      hulses@twinvalley.net

      Delete
    2. I would love to buy the H from you...
      photolovinmom@yahoo.com and could you email a pic

      Delete
  12. I am on the hunt for 1 or 2 H's if possible...I got the grills off of my grandparents house and someone had taken the H's out before I got them...I would love to make a present for my dad from one and one for my house....Any help would be appreciated....I've been driving around neighborhoods looking at every door...
    photolovinmom@yahoo.com if anyone can help

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to purchase an H from you. Our door currently has a J. Please let me know if it's still available. Thanks! Crystalpacheco73@gmail.com 😊

      Delete
  13. I am looking for a screen door grill that is lightweight aluminum with initial in the middle ("E"). Like the one above. My brother had one on his screen and someone stole them. For his 50th birthday I wanted to replace them. debbieevans08@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    2. Rona tells me she is still seeking a letter P, but she has sold the G.
      Uncle Atom

      Delete
  15. I am looking for the letter "P" to go on my mom's door.

    theradovs@juno.com

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  16. hi I am looking for a vintage aluminum storm door letter monogram with the letter T please email me with pic's and price-----2/12/13email me at marksauto65@juno.com thanks mark

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good morning,
    I am in search of a letter "m" or "h". Any help would be appreciated!
    abrant@times-news.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have an M with all of the
      reflectance gone. $20 inc
      shipping

      Delete
  18. Hello fellow atomic fans!

    If anyone out there comes up with a letter "G" or "B" or both, I would sure appreciate the opportunity to purchase them. Please email me - randibgood@gmail.com, with "screen door" in the subject line. If price and picture could be included that would be awesome! I'm trying to surprise my husband next month for his birthday, if not by then, we have fathers day & an anniversary coming later in the year.

    Thanks for any offers or leads you come across out there!
    Randi

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi! I am looking for a "B" as well, would love to purchase one! And I have a "Z" if anyone needs it
    jporch44@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am looking for a "K" if anyone has one for sale!
    Thanks
    bmgdn9@mail.missouri.edu

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have a C and would like an A.
    Thanks!

    JMA

    Icurnjean@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you still have the C. Please reply to Holly@HollyCastle.com. I do have a W if you know of someone that needs it.

      Delete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have a L, and I'm looking for a F.
    georgebd7@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am looking for a T

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am looking for the Whole screen door with the letter "C" in the middle. I bought a house and the original house pic has an aluminum door on it and would love to make it look like the original picture. If you have one email me at "nolan1982@yahoo.com" and just do subject as screen door. Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have a W and I am looking for a C. please email me at Holly@HollyCastle.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am looking for a B please email me at alicia2brumley@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I have a complete door on my home with the street address # monogram. I am trying to clean the mill-finish aluminum as the door looks like it hasn't been cleaned since the 50s. Any suggestion what to clean with? There is heavy white powdery stuff on it and even sanding is difficult. Also the grille itself is very rough with white stuff. Suggestions welcome???

    ReplyDelete
  29. If anyone has an R, I would love to purchase or trade the M that is in the door now. Please email me if you are interested. reesepeace114@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's an R on eBay right now http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-alphabet-letter-R-vintage-screen-door-/291259217152?ssPageName=ADME:SS:SS:US:3160

      Delete
  30. When we moved our business, we found a C, G, 2 Hs, a P, S, 2 Ts, and a V

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi I'm looking for a P if you still have it.

      Delete
    2. Id like the C if its available please.
      Please contact me at
      710addamsfamily@gmail.com
      Thank you

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  31. I am looking for a "P" if anyone knows of one. Many thanks. s_r_pruter@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi all- I'very been trying to find a 'Z' but no luck so far. Please feel free to email me at chriszamaites@yahoo.com if you should happen upon one! Thank you in advance for keeping an eye out!

    ReplyDelete
  33. For anyone searching for a letter, do an eBay search for "vintage screen door". Right now I'm seeing a lot of letters for sale.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm looking for a screen door grille to put on my house. I have my "letter" off the house I grew up in. If anyone knows where I can buy one drop me a note at tuckerfan48 at g mail dot com

    I'll buy an entire door if needed. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  35. s_r_pruter@yahoo.com still looking for a "P" if anyone has a source; thank you

    ReplyDelete
  36. In search of the letter "c" jasonxsummer@gmail.com please if anybody has one

    ReplyDelete
  37. I have an "S" I don't need but looking for an "L"

    ReplyDelete
  38. I need an S - if you still have this can you email me a pic/price/details? ymeiask@icloud.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. If you still have the "S" can you email me a pic/details/price at ymeiask@icloud.com? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Looking for a "D". Need just the letter, not the whole grille. Fingers crossed pattianndavis@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Looking for an "S" I have a "G". Willing to trade will pay up to $50 for an "S". email kowboy88@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. We have a "J" and we are looking for an "H". Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks! Crystalpacheco73@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have an L, looking for a T. Toal 76@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I have a K. Looking for an E. Got our first house over a year ago, and just getting around to it.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Gave the "Z" off of my door to a friend... Looking for an "R"... Please contact me at patricktrobb@gmail.com. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi I'm looking for a door guard that had a cocker spaniel integrated as the centrepiece. If anyone has one for sale I'd love to hear a price

    ReplyDelete
  47. I am in need of two letter S's

    ReplyDelete