For anyone looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency while also protecting it from the elements, a storm door can be a go-to solution. Among other things, storm doors are often touted as a great way to keep homes safe from harsh winds, rain, and snow, while also helping to keep the interior temperatures comfortable during the harsh and unforgivingly hot and cold seasons.
But are storm doors really worth the investment? Well, the general answer is yes, but it also depends. To bring this nation closer to home, here’s a complete guide on the effectiveness of storm doors.
What Are Storm Doors Designed For?
Storm doors are designed to provide an extra layer of protection between your home and the outside elements. It’s basically a second door that’s added to a home with an already existing exterior door to strengthen the barrier between the elements and your home.
At the very least, the storm door is designed to reduce the amount of cold or hot air that enters your home in the winter and summer respectively.
Other Benefits of Storm Doors
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The benefits of storm doors do not just stop at ensuring the ideal indoor temperatures. Since it prevents cold or hot air from sneaking inside, storm door installation is arguably among the best upgrades you can do to maximize your home’s comfort and reduce your energy bills significantly.
Additionally, storm doors can help to reduce the amount of noise that comes into your home from the outside. They also create a protective barrier that reduces the amount of dirt and debris that can enter your home.
As if that’s all, storm doors also provide an additional layer of security and privacy, as they can be designed to be difficult to break into and even fitted with tinted glass to block out prying eyes from outside.
Factors That Determine the Effectiveness of a Storm Door
While storm doors are generally effective in serving their intended purposes, not all of them are the same.
The effectiveness of your storm door may depend on various factors, which include the following:
Material Type and Quality
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The type and quality of the materials used in the construction of the storm door will have an impact on its effectiveness. Higher-quality materials, such as energy-efficient aluminum provide better insulation than lower-quality materials. And while steel is more durable and less prone to warping or cracking over time, vinyl might be a better option if you live in a more temperate climate.
Insulation
As noted earlier, storm doors are meant to help provide an additional layer of insulation to your home. This helps reduce energy costs and maintain ideal levels of interior air temperature. This is to say that the amount of insulation can have a significant impact on a storm door’s effectiveness.
Installation Quality
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Proper installation is essential for a storm door to be effective. Poor installation can result in various problems, including air leakage and operational problems, rendering the door less effective at serving its purpose.
Seals and Weatherstripping
Typically, there should be a seal between the storm door and the frame, as well as between the storm door and the main entry door. This helps to ensure that the air does not escape, keeping the home’s interior well insulated. Quality weatherstripping also helps to seal the gap between the door and the frame, which can help to make it harder for air to escape and make your storm door more effective.
Other Factors That Determine Storm Door Effectiveness
A storm door’s effectiveness may also be influenced by several commonly overlooked factors, including the following:
Locks and Other Hardware for Storm Doors
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From latches to handles and locks, door hardware can also determine the effectiveness of a storm door. For instance, quality latches and locks for storm doors can help ensure that the door opens and closes properly while also improving security. Thumbturn cylinders can also make it easy to lock or unlock the storm door from inside your home without necessarily using a key.
Ventilation
Finally, some storm doors come with ventilation options, such as a screen or a louvered panel. These can help keep the air between your main exterior door and the storm door circulating, thus effectively reducing the risk of condensation.
In conclusion, storm doors are an effective way to help improve the energy efficiency of your home while also providing additional comfort, security, and privacy. Just make sure to do your research and choose a storm door that is made from durable materials, properly sealed, well-insulated, and professionally fitted for the best possible results.
