Do You Need a Storm Door?

There are several reasons why you might want to add a storm door for your front entrance. They offer protection for your entry door against environmental elements such as sunlight, wind and rain. All these elements add to the weathering of your door and may lead to cracks, fading and chipping. They also bolster the energy efficiency of your front door (especially if it is an old one) providing an added barrier against air flow. Storm doors that can be locked from the outside will offer greater security. But beyond functionality, storm doors add beauty to your front door. It allows more fresh air and light to enter your home. Storm doors come in a variety of aesthetically-pleasing designs and most importantly, they are affordable and make a wise investment.

Maybe you already have a storm that's showing wear and tear. It lets air leak in to the house causing your energy bills to rise. It may be bent or warped and therefore difficult to open and close. May be the hinges creek? If that sounds like your storm door, you should consider investing in the latest energy-efficient doors that not only look good, but will lower your maintenance bills.

What are the choices you have?

Storm doors come in variety. Contact a local contractor in your area who specializes in doors and windows. You can choose the color you want, the kind of glass you want, and the handles you prefer. Here are some of your choices:

‚¬ Full glass: This type of door is mostly made of glass and allows a full view outside. It lets the maximum amount of light in.
‚¬ Mid-level glass: This type of door is made of up about two-thirds (may be more) of glass and the rest is door. It allows a little less view of the outside than a door made of full glass.
‚¬ High glass: This type of door is made of half glass and half door frame. The top is made of glass allowing a partial view of the outside of your door. It allows the maximum privacy while allowing light to enter in.

If you live on a street that has a lot of traffic, mid or high glass doors are the best choices.

Screen doors can be added for ventilation. Some doors give you the option of storing glass in summer so that you can switch to an insect screen. In winter you can store the insect screen and switch to glass. Some doors have sliding glass that you can pull up or down for ventilation. Some can be removed for cleaning; some don't have this option. Of course, these convenient features will increase the cost of your door.

Energy-efficient Storm Doors

Whatever type of storm door you choose, remember now is the time to consider energy efficiency. Choose storm doors that come with weather-stripping for a tighter seal against air leakages. Look for the Energy Star label if you want to make sure you are buying a storm that has undergone energy efficiency testing. Instead of replacing your entire door, getting an energy-efficient one can be a cheap and affordable option. Some experts say that a good storm door can increase energy-efficiency by 45 percent.

And lastly, don't get a glass door, if your front entrance gets a lot of sunlight during the day. Heat will get trapped between your entry door and the storm door.

Resources:
1. Doors, Department of Energy, USA. energy.gov/energysaver/articles/doors