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If you live in a tough climate, you need a tough door. Storm doors protect the exterior of your castle, and can make all the difference when it comes to paying utility bills. Practicality and efficiency are key, but you won't need to sacrifice appearance if you're planning a new exterior-door installation.

Today's market offers a wide range of styles and materials in storm doors. Storm doors are usually constructed of fiberglass, aluminum, wood, or steel. Some manufacturers offer exterior doors with solid-wood cores that are covered with fiberglass or aluminum panels. There are also foam-core doors on the market. Insulated-metal doors provide secure energy retention and require very low maintenance.

Fiberglass is a leading entry in the exterior-door field, offering strength as well as resistance to corrosion and ultraviolet rays. Aluminum doors have undergone a stylistic change, increasing in color options and hidden screw components.

External Doors Offer Energy Efficiency and Protection

If you're planning on having an exterior-door installation, you'll need to consider the direction your entry faces during the warmer months. For example, adding a storm door with a lot of glass to an entry that faces the sun directly for hours on end can trap heat, drying or warping the interior wooden door.

Some exterior doors offer the option of opening or removing components (screens, glass panels, etc.) during the changing seasons. But you run the risk of compromising energy efficiency if a door isn't securely insulated. If you are going to use glass, be sure to look into low-e or e-coated windows. Glass comes in standard, laminated, and decorative categories. Tempered glass is the least-expensive option, but it can shatter. Laminated security glass can offer energy barriers, UV-blocking properties, and exterior sound reduction.

Look for tightly fitted corners and moldings when selecting a storm door. A solid-feeling, well-fitting door (test it in a showroom) usually indicates strong performance. Whether fiberglass or aluminum, your door should have heavy-duty, high-gauge reinforcements.

Non-removable-glass storm doors are often the least-expensive alternatives. What you may sacrifice in ventilation quality, you make up for in added strength and security in unforgiving weather. Many manufacturers offer exterior doors in a range of finish options. It pays to compare costs--and the warranty/guarantee for door-finish life--when considerations favor durability over appearance. Be sure to buy an exterior door that faces the right way, too!

Source:
Energy Efficient Homes

About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.