You and your family aren't the only things that go in and out of your front door. Every time you open it or close it, valuable energy whether heat or air conditioning sneaks out as well. Even with the door is closed; summer heat can still enter an air-conditioned home escape from a heated house during the winter. With this movement goes your hard-earned dollars. The best way to lock the door on this loss is through energy-efficient doors. They do cost a bit more than a traditional door but you will recoup your money through savings on your electric bill.
When you finally decide to take the plunge and build a new home, there are numerous things that you should take into consideration; home design, land, appliances, finishes (flooring, tile, countertops, paint), lighting fixtures to name a few. . . the seems to have no end. Typically, doors are closer to the bottom of the list of priorities. Consider making them not the top priority but a big priority in any case.
Hinged doors are an stylish way to fight energy loss caused by glass sliding patio doors.
Nevertheless an exterior door has a lot of responsibility. This door is the main way of passage in and out of the home and also serves as the home's main barrier against intruders, and the sometimes harsh whether and cold elements of the north wind, the humidity of the summer heat, or a burglar. As if that weren't difficult enough, the door also needs to be aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient. Its purpose to protect, provide energy efficiency, and look good is a big job.
Entry doors can be simple, elegantly detailed, or somewhere in between. Decorative touches such as plants and light fixtures will add your style, providing a bit of charm to the exterior of your entry.
Even though facade is generally the biggest factor when selecting a door, its ability to insulate efficiently should be right at the top of the list as well. Many modern doors are insulated with a polyurethane foam core, which provides the best protection against energy loss. Weather-stripping, usually magnetic and similar to that on a refrigerator door, must provide a snug fit. Any openings between the door and the doorjamb or threshold will cause energy loss. To judge the door's energy efficiency, take note of its R-value, which provides a measurement of resistance to heat gain and loss. Rule of thumb, the higher the R-value, the higher the resistance, the better the door.
There are several types of doors. Wood doors are attractive but sometimes do no offer the best efficiency. On the other hand, wood composite doors (a combination of wood and resins) are versatile and usually very weather resistant. They also allow insertion of a foam-insulating core. Equally, some insulating exterior doors are covered with a thin veneer of hardwood plywood that ultimately gives these doors a rich appearance of oak, teak, or other wood species, and also provides energy efficiency and durability.
After all your front door is the first impression your guests will get of your home. Be sure makes your guests feel welcome and gives the overall impression that you want to make. A full-pane double door is an ideal complement to a formal entry.
Metal doors although thought of as cold, with no sense of style complimentary to any home, have come along way. In fact, you can get a beautiful metal door that can fit with your home.
Prices for metal doors usually start at about $150. A well-made, metal door is sturdy, secure, and well insulated. Efficiency is the main factor for this type of door as they generally carry an R-value between 4.0 and 8.0 (5 times that of a solid-wood door). Most of these doors come in durable factory finishes or can be painted. A metal door is a great choice for security, durability, and efficiency.
Fiberglass doors are known for their durability and are more resilient than metal when it comes to standing up against dents and dings and can also be filled with a foam insulation core that provides topnotch insulation. Some come with artificial wood-grain, which can be quite attractive. Others simply come with a smooth finish. Fiberglass doors are also quite strong. Most are made with a heavy wooden frame filled with foam insulation. And the better fiberglass doors are reinforced when there lockset is installed and where the hinges are attached. Prices range from $500 to more than $3,000.
Extra Protection - Install a storm door.
If you're happy with your new door but would like a better barrier against the elements, you may want to consider storm door, which generally run about $150 to $250. A storm door provides added protection against the weather, which definitely helps if you have a solid wood door. Storm doors also provide an extra layer of insulation, as long as it fits snugly in its opening.
Storm doors don't have to be boring and unattractive. In fact, they can be just the opposite. With full- or half- length windows, they also add ventilation control. Many storm doors come with removable or sliding screens and windows making them adjustable according to your season.
