doors

Storm Doors Explained

Storm doors serve a dual purpose. They help protect the interior of the house from debris that might kick up during high-wind storms. They also provide ventilation, and in some designs, visibility from inside the home to the outside world. These doors are crucial in some parts of the country, but almost any home can find a use for one. Here is a more detailed explanation of storm doors, including their uses and styles.

Styles

Storm doors come in three basic varieties:

• A full view door usually features a glass or fiberglass panel that stretches across the length of the door, so that patrons inside will be able to look outside. These doors typically block air from passing through the doorway, but the glass can be removed sometimes to let the breeze in.
• Ventilating doors use one or two glass panels, which can be slid to an open position to allow some extra air into the space. It’s preferable to a full view door in cases where you want cross ventilation without the hassle of striking the door each time you need it.
• Rollscreen doors are a fairly new kind of door that is like a hybrid of full view and ventilating doors. The screen is typically connected to the top or side of the frame, and then pulled down or across to lock into place.

Construction

Storm doors come in the same materials that a regular door does, but may be heavy duty. Wood looks the most appealing, but does require some staining and protection to remain viable long term. Aluminum resists corrosion and can be painted easily, but they are the thinnest doors and may buckle under intense winds. PVC doors are the most common type, and they are nearly impossible to bend or break.

Article submitted by Interior Design Houses.com

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The Advantages to Buying a Storm Door

A storm door is a requirement in some parts of the country, where severe weather can be a factor. A good storm doors doesn’t just keep the weather out, it also insulates the home too. If you’re wondering whether or not to buy a storm door, here are a few of the advantages.

Additional Security

Storm doors offer an added layer of security for the home that have another lock that is separate from the lock on your front or rear doors. Would-be thieves would need to breach both entrances before gaining entry to your home, and storm doors typically have features like break resistant glass. These aren’t full deterrents, but they would buy you some time to call the police, or keep a thief away based on the difficult of gaining access.

Efficiency

Storm doors are also effective at keeping the air inside your home, which makes your HVAC system a lot more efficient. Just like storm doors protect you from the elements, they help insulate your home as well. Storm doors could be part of a greater project where you work on sealing the small cracks in your home that let in drafts.

Smart Investments

Storm doors also allow air to pass through the home too. A storm door can be used to keep the elements out during winter, and let drafts in during summer. A storm door is also built for longevity, something to think about when assessing the high upfront cost. Your door will likely keep the elements at bay for several years to come.

 

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How to Insulate a Front Door

Now that winter is just on the horizon, it’s a good time to walk your home and look for any improvements you can make before the weather kicks up. Most people are good about the basics, like cleaning gutters and checking pipes, but few people take the time to investigate their weather stripping. If the weather stripping on your front door begins to crack or feel brittle, it might be time to replace it.

Choosing Weather Stripping

There are multiple types of weather stripping available to you. We will discuss self-stick foam, but you also have options like a door threshold to close the gap at the base of your door. Self-stick foam has a strip that you peel off before you apply, so it requires almost no tools to install.

Measure the Frame

The first step is to measure your door frame in preparation to install the foam. Be as precise as possible, measuring the sides and top of the door. Measure the inside of the door, as this will be where the foam will be applied. Once you have the measurements, make your cuts with a simple box cutter and the foam should separate easily. Be careful with your measurements, and be sure that you’re cutting off exactly what you need to insulate the door. If you leave gaps between the insulation, you’ll let in air and defeat the purpose.

Apply the Stripping

The stripping should apply as you run your finger along the door. Begin in one of the corners, and carefully lay the stripping down as you pass your thumb or finger over it. Review your work for bubbling and squish it down with a bit of pressure from your thumb. You may also want to run your fingers over the stripping to be sure that it has securely adhered to the door jamb.

 

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How and Why to Apply Weather Stripping to a Door

You can seal air leaks in your home with weather stripping. It’s a great way to cut out drafts without having to rebuild the frame of the door or window. Stripping is very inexpensive, and it’s easy to apply too. Here are some tips and instruction to help you in this project.

Weather Stripping Overview

Weather stripping comes in many forms, and it’s often overlooked when one thinks of upgrades to a home. The truth is that weather stripping insulates your home and adds another layer of protection from heat loss. Weather stripping can be applied to either doors or windows, so it’s a good idea to assess which rooms in your home lose the most heat. Start in those areas and work your way around the house.

For Doors

There are two kinds of weather stripping available for most doors. Self-adhesive foam is good for the top and sides of the door, while you will want a sweep at the bottom. The sweep must be cut to fit your door, then it can be installed by bolting it to the door itself. You will also need to trim the adhesive foam to fit the top and sides of your door.

For Windows

Windows will also require two kinds of weather stripping to be most effective. You will need self-adhesive foam to insulate the frame of the window, and V-channel stripping for the sash. It should be noted that casement windows will only need self-adhesive foam.

 

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Energy Star Certification for Doors

Energy star certification lets consumers know how “green” a particular product is. There are certain requirements a manufacturer must meet to attain Energy Star certification. Here is a list of some of the factors that determine whether a door meets Energy Star’s requirements.

U-Factor

U-factor refers to the thermal transmission rating, which measures heat loss through the door. If the U-factor is lower, homes in colder climates will begin to lose heat. If heating bills are a concern to you, try out a door with a high U-value so that you can retain the heat within your home. A u-factor rating of 1.20, which is the highest rating, would provide excellent insulation for your home.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

The rate of heat gain through the door is measured as the solar heat gain coefficient. In environments with extremely hot days, low SHGC doors will allow the home to stay cool by reflecting some of that heat. SHGC is typically expressed in numbers that range from 0 to 1.

Visible Transmittance

The amount of light that comes through a window is expressed as visible transmittance. These values are also expressed on a scale from 0 to 1, but the higher transmittance number means more light is let into the home. Frosted windows, stained windows and windows with a solar covering might lower your visible transmittance rating.

Condensation Resistance

Homes that have concerns about humidity will want a door with high condensation resistance. This helps resist the formation of condensation on the interior surface of the door, thus keeping your home at a reasonable humidity level.