Hello all. It's been a LONG time since I've been here. Howdy to all.

So, I am painting my house and worked around to the front door. I
have an old-fashioned aluminum screen door that was old when I bought
the house almost 20 years ago. The house is 100+ years old, so I have
no timeline on my question.

Screwed onto the aluminum door is an ornate aluminum frame -- all
curlicues. In the center is a peacock. It's strictly decorative.

I've never seen anything like it before and I was wondering if anyone
has seen one before and any idea how old it is.

TIA

On Oct 24, 7:41*pm, Pat wrote:
Hello all. *It's been a LONG time since I've been here. *Howdy to all..

So, I am painting my house and worked around to the front door. *I
have an old-fashioned aluminum screen door that was old when I bought
the house almost 20 years ago. *The house is 100+ years old, so I have
no timeline on my question.

Screwed onto the aluminum door is an ornate aluminum frame -- all
curlicues. In the center is a peacock. *It's strictly decorative.

I've never seen anything like it before and I was wondering if anyone
has seen one before and any idea how old it is.

TIA

You might want to post a picture of it and consider selling it on e-
bay.

On Oct 24, 10:44*pm, Molly Brown wrote:
On Oct 24, 7:41*pm, Pat wrote:

Hello all. *It's been a LONG time since I've been here. *Howdy to all.

So, I am painting my house and worked around to the front door. *I
have an old-fashioned aluminum screen door that was old when I bought
the house almost 20 years ago. *The house is 100+ years old, so I have
no timeline on my question.

Screwed onto the aluminum door is an ornate aluminum frame -- all
curlicues. In the center is a peacock. *It's strictly decorative.

I've never seen anything like it before and I was wondering if anyone
has seen one before and any idea how old it is.

TIA

You might want to post a picture of it and consider selling it on e-
bay.

I don't think I want to sell it. I'm debating whether I put it back
on or store it in the garage. I'm just curious.

On 10/24/2010 10:47 PM, Pat wrote:
On Oct 24, 10:44 pm, Molly wrote:
On Oct 24, 7:41 pm, wrote:

Hello all. It's been a LONG time since I've been here. Howdy to all.

So, I am painting my house and worked around to the front door. I
have an old-fashioned aluminum screen door that was old when I bought
the house almost 20 years ago. The house is 100+ years old, so I have
no timeline on my question.

Screwed onto the aluminum door is an ornate aluminum frame -- all
curlicues. In the center is a peacock. It's strictly decorative.

I've never seen anything like it before and I was wondering if anyone
has seen one before and any idea how old it is.

TIA

You might want to post a picture of it and consider selling it on e-
bay.

I don't think I want to sell it. I'm debating whether I put it back
on or store it in the garage. I'm just curious.

Such decorative grilles used to be quite common- the modern American
suburban version of the decorative garden gates still common in Europe.
Some screen doors even had them on both sides, to protect the screen
from dogs and kids. In pre-AC days, the screen door on the corner store
or gas station often had replaceable advertising placards that clipped
onto these grilles, and acted as push and pull handles on the door. When
they started getting ratty looking, the delivery guy for the product
would supply fresh ones. Those placards are now collectible, at least
according to the TV shows.

What to do with it depends on if you want the house to look retro or
period-correct. If it is in decent shape, I'd clean the crud off it (and
the door), and seal it with something to slow down the oxidation that
leaves the black crud on your hands. (Maybe there is a special clear
finish- I've never looked- but even a coat of car wax would help.)

--
aem sends....

On Oct 24, 10:47*pm, Pat wrote:
On Oct 24, 10:44*pm, Molly Brown wrote:





On Oct 24, 7:41*pm, Pat wrote:

Hello all. *It's been a LONG time since I've been here. *Howdy to all.

So, I am painting my house and worked around to the front door. *I
have an old-fashioned aluminum screen door that was old when I bought
the house almost 20 years ago. *The house is 100+ years old, so I have
no timeline on my question.

Screwed onto the aluminum door is an ornate aluminum frame -- all
curlicues. In the center is a peacock. *It's strictly decorative.

I've never seen anything like it before and I was wondering if anyone
has seen one before and any idea how old it is.

TIA

You might want to post a picture of it and consider selling it on e-
bay.

I don't think I want to sell it. *I'm debating whether I put it back
on or store it in the garage. *I'm just curious.

Sounds nice a picture would helpl, refurbish it too and put it back.

Pat wrote in news:5384e3d0-03cc-40a8-948a-
:

Hello all. It's been a LONG time since I've been here. Howdy to all.

So, I am painting my house and worked around to the front door. I
have an old-fashioned aluminum screen door that was old when I bought
the house almost 20 years ago. The house is 100+ years old, so I have
no timeline on my question.

Screwed onto the aluminum door is an ornate aluminum frame -- all
curlicues. In the center is a peacock. It's strictly decorative.

I've never seen anything like it before and I was wondering if anyone
has seen one before and any idea how old it is.



Is the frame constructed of rectangular-section aluminum bars that have
been bent and riveted together? Is the peacock white?

If so, the frame dates from about the late-'50s or early '60s. They were
very popular for a while, and you often saw them with a letter in the
middle instead of an image. The letter was customized, and usually was the
initial letter of the family name that lived in the house.

--
Tegger

I have one of those doors with a big "B" in the middle. It was put on
my house in the late 1960's or early 1970's. It was installed the same
time as the aluminum storm windows. Hope this helps!