I love a good DIY project and turning a screen door into a chalkboard is my kind of project. Using left over salvage and turning it into something useful is green too.
I was walking through my new house with my builder when I mentioned that I was looking for a screen door. He didn’t know where I could buy one, but he was working on a hundred-year-old house nearby, and it had a screen door he didn’t want. Did I want that door? I did!
We drove over there to get it. There was a very chatty neighbor who came over to talk while we were removing the screen door. My builder mentioned he was building a house for me around the corner. So she asked if the screen door was for my new house. No, I said I was going to hang it on the wall like artwork. The woman screwed up her face exactly like one does when asked to sit on a pickle. (Don’t ask how I know this.)
I looked at Rit for some support, but he was walking away by now with his hands in the air to signify that I was on my own. Of course, I was not deterred, I was a woman with a plan.
Here’s what I did in 10 easy steps.
Needed:
1 old wood screen door
1 large sheet of pasteboard
jigsaw
drill
hammer
box cutter
paint
chalkboard paint
wax
screws
hanging hardware
lots of white chalk
Step 1. Remove odd lattice work from the bottom of the screen door that shouldn’t have been there in the first place. (Now that’s weird.)
Step 2. Use the box cutter to remove the screen from the screen door, and the door handle from the back of the door. This way it will lie flat against the wall. I was able to use a box cutter because the screen on the door was the flimsy sort. Some screens may require more equipment to remove.
Step 3. Paint door with my homemade chalky paint, recipe here, then wax and distress door.
Step 4. Cut paste board to same size as screen door, minus 1 inch on the length and the width.
Step 5. Paint one side of paste board with chalkboard paint. I used three coats. (Yes, I know it’s time to pressure wash the patio. It’s on my list.)
Step 6. Position pasteboard on back on door with blackboard side face down.
Step 7. Attach board with screws every 10 inches or so.
Step 8. Add hanging hardware and hang on the wall.
Step 9. Allow chalkboard paint to cure for three days, then prime chalkboard. This is done by using the chalk sideways and coating the chalkboard with a layer of chalk. Then use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe off the excess chalk.
Step 10. Grab a piece of chalk, and create your masterpiece.
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with the million+ chalkboard tut’s out there, this one is by far my favorite! love it!!!
This is amazing! You should invite the lady over to take a look. Then she’ll know your not crazy! I love it.
I love it! What a fabulous idea! 🙂
That is so cool – can’t wait to finish my old screen door up.
This is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!! I love it! Now I am wondering where it will live in the new house? Same spot? XO, Pinky
Pinky, it’s at the ranch. I’ll keep it there.
Looks great!
I love this! laurie
What a great piece! I love it! It looks terrific!
What is pasteboard? My husband and I are in the process of tearing down a 100 year old cabin and it has two screen doors! Struck gold! Can’t wait to make one of these.
So Cute!! I’m pinning. Is ‘paste board’ what we call ‘hard board’ up north? It looks like it in the picture…? Little Bit
Love it! and I have our old screen door on the porch of my cottage..may have to copy!
Anita,
Awesome idea you had here and it looks outstanding!!! Maybe you should invite her over for a cup of coffee:)
Blessings,
Linda
Oh, I love it. So cute and funny that the lady looked at you like you were crazy.
I LOVE this, Anita! It looks so great above your couch, too. I could just see this also being used as a pantry door. What a great way to keep track of what you need to add to your shopping list.
What a great idea! I love decorating with chalkboard and this one is awesome. Blessings, Patti
Love it- also love the white couch. Is that a converted baby bed? I have ours and would live to do something like that.
I cannot believe how perfect your screen door chalk board looks in this room over your sofa. What a great vision you had. I laughed at your description of your new soon to be neighbor when she heard what you had planned. My daughters tell me they can instantly tell which pins are mine on their Pinterest because it’s the only old stuff. Hah! Yes, it is!
Fantastic idea and it looks great!
Great way to use an old screen door. I love it! Best of all it looks great on the wall.
Anita,
Some don’t have vision and creativity as you do, dear friend.
(For my response to the lady who didn’t get it!)
I L O V E it…perfect Scripture!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Score! The oldies are always the best.
Brenda
That is some fabulous chalkboard, Anita. Love it! You did a wonderful job on building it. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent with your readers!
Now that is thinking outside of the box! LOVE this Anita looks great!
xx
Anne
What a cute idea! And it fills up so much space!
Judy
Very, very, very cool! Love it and what a fun conversation piece- xo Diana
Aren’t you clever! This turned out so cute! Love the story with the neightbor, too.
My Mom has a screen door in her garage that my daughter has laid claim to. Mom’s in NC. Daughter’s in CA. Not quite sure how or when she’s going to get it home but it’s her’s! 🙂
Karen, pasteboard is a light weight material that is lighter than particle board. I’m not sure how to describe it, but maybe you can ask for it at Lowes.
W-O-W. Amazing, Anita.
XO,
Meredith
Now, can’t you just hear the stories that (1) the builder and (2) the older new neighbor have to tell their friends and family about this encounter?! 🙂 Shaking their heads and trying to explain (YOU) the eccentric (1) homeowner and (2) the new neighbor around the corner.
Love the idea and how it turned out!
Judith
Looks great! I love taking old worn-out things and bringing new life back into them. I’ve also received those same looks that you did. Most of the time, I get them from my own hubby though.
It’s awesome, I’m pinning.
Bliss
Wow, great idea and way to repurpose. I love this!
Cynthia
Think of a way to use the screen for a dry erase board, I don’t like the chalk dust that accumulates when erasing.
U have lots of super dooper ideas for re-purposing!
Sweet idea, Anita! Great way to recycle an old door. 🙂
Very cute!!! And I simply adore the white settee on the opposite side! 🙂
What a FUN idea. I love it. The problem I would have is that my handwriting is terrible, I’m not at all good at drawing…. wonder what I would write on it?! 🙂 Love it though. I especially love the white chalk paint with the red chipping through. ~ Dori ~
Did you want the screen door… gesh!! Of course you did and with much enthusiasm! And I loved the part about the neighbor! How funny! Thanks for giving us another way to utilize doors. After all, one can never have too many of them!! LOL
Hi Anita, I love your new chalkboard. I had to laugh at your comment about the neighbor because I get the same look from people all the time! Thanks for joining the Open House Party and have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Sherry
You did a great job making over the old screen door. Some people just don’t get creative.
Laura, the white piece of furniture you see is not a baby bed, it’s a Swedish bed. It’s new not antique, but I think they were probably used as daybeds back in the day.
Genius, Anita. Love it! I sure wish someone would ask me if I want an old screen door!
Jeanette
That’s wonderful! I love the size – it makes such a statement!
Just lovely. What a treasured find. Such wonderful luck to happen upon a vintage screen!