Storm Doors work by having an air gap between them and your main exterior door so that when you close both doors at once, you create a wind tunnel or suction effect that locks out cold air, insects, pests, and even sound. A storm door closer is a device attached to the inside of your storm door that holds the door in place.
What is a storm door and do I need one?
Storm doors can be purely functional or they can be a mix of decorative and functional but they’re a great way to protect your home and give yourself and your family a better quality of life. The primary purpose of a storm door is to protect your exterior door during inclement weather. A storm door usually has three layers.
What is the purpose of a storm door?
What Are Storm Doors Used For?
- The Purpose of a Storm Door. ...
- Insulation and Weather Proofing with a Storm Door. ...
- Opening Up Your Home with a Storm Door. ...
- Storm Doors Offer Natural Light Without Sacrificing Security. ...
- When to Skip a Storm Door. ...
- Purpose of Storm Doors. ...
What are the benefits of a storm door?
Top Advantages of Purchasing a Storm Door
- Protect Your Entry Door. If you are looking for ways to protect your beautiful new front door or entry space, you may need to invest in a storm door.
- Improve the Value & Curb Appeal Of Your Home. Installing storm doors is one of the most inexpensive home projects that provide many benefits to homeowners.
- Increase Energy-Efficiency. ...
What is the best storm door?
The following storm doors are generally better than others in insulating homes in colder weather:
- LARSON MFG CO RSC Storm Door This storm door helps minimize drafts during winter thanks to its weather-stripping feature. ...
- LARSON 35004032 Storm Door Made with a thick heavy gauge aluminum frame, this storm door can help prevent cold air from entering homes. ...
- Titan Meshtech Ultimate Security Storm Door
What is the point of a storm door?
A storm door can help protect your primary door from rain, ice and snow, reducing the costs of maintenance and helping it last longer. All Pella® storm doors also come with a built-in keyed lock that is separate from a home's primary door adding an additional barrier against intruders.
Does a storm door keep rain out?
Yes, storm doors, with their glass panels, keep cold air out during the winter by insulating your house. They also keep water out as they protect your main door from rainwater. Storm doors provide your house, especially your main door, with an extra layer of protection against different kinds of elements.
Why you dont need a storm door?
If you have a newer, energy-efficient, well-sealed front door, and your main concern is reducing energy loss, you may not need a storm door. Additionally, if your front entry is well-protected by a large overhang or covered porch, you might not need a storm door.
What is the difference between a screen door and a storm door?
Storm doors are a bit tougher than screen doors. Instead of having the screen surrounded by the door frame, a storm door offers double pane glass or another sturdy material.
Are storm doors easy to break into?
Know How Storm Doors Provide Added Security Burglars can break into one door much more easily than two of them. For this reason, installing a storm door already provides added protection against break-ins.
Is a storm door worth it?
But adding a storm door may be money well spent. A storm door goes on the outside of your regular entry door, saving energy in two major ways. It creates a first barrier to weather, reducing the effect of air leaks from the primary door.
Should I put a storm door on my front door?
If your exterior door is exposed to the elements, then a storm door may be the way to go to protect your door. If you have a new, well insulated, energy-efficient exterior door, you may not need or want a storm door. If you live in a warmer climate, a storm door may not be the best option.
How much does a good storm door cost?
Storm Door Cost CalculatorNational Average$381Typical Range$183 - $604Low End - High End$100 - $1,200
Should you lock your storm door?
Having an extra door to break through automatically increases your home's security level. Storm doors typically have their own locks. Remember to lock both your storm door and main entry door so you won't be an easy target for burglars!
How long does a storm door last?
A well made storm door can last up to 30 years, but because its job is to stand as the first line of defense against harsh weather, it's bound to sustain some wear and damage.
Do storm doors come with a frame?
Most storm doors are prehung on a frame and come with an installation kit that includes all the hardware you need.
Can a storm door be used as an exterior door?
A storm door is a year-round addition to your home. The glass panels come in handy in cold, rainy or windy weather, as they protect exterior doors from the elements. If it's cool but sunny, you can open the front door, leave the storm door shut and enjoy the sunshine coming in through the glass panel.
Do storm doors keep drafts out?
Another popular alternative is to install a storm door, which can provide a lasting solution to door drafts as well as some added bonuses. For example, a storm door can also serve as a screen door in summer, keeping out insects while allowing cooling breezes to enter a home.
What is the most efficient storm door?
Steel doors feature solid construction for lasting, dependable use. They're dent-resistant and won't rot, split or warp. These are the best storm doors for long-term and heavy-duty installation. Aluminum frames offer a lighter alternative to steel, but with more strength than wood or vinyl.
What is a storm door?
A storm door is an outside door placed in front doors or a back door primarily for the protection against extreme weather , particularly in the winter.
What are the best features of storm doors?
One of the best features about storm doors is their design, as they are made to increase energy efficiency automatically.
How do burglars force entry into a house?
One of the most common ways burglars force an entry into a house is through the front door. Burglars can break one door more quickly than two of them. For this reason, installing a storm door protects against break-ins.
Why do storm doors need insulation?
Another purpose is to feature extra insulation against air leaks. Storm doors can make a pocket of insulation that keeps cold air out and warm air in.
How much energy savings does a storm door have?
When you install a door, you can get the potential to extend your home’s energy efficiency by up to 45 percent. Storm doors keep cold air outside in the winter, which helps to scale back your heating bill.
When to replace glass panel in storm door?
In some cases, the glass panel is removed, and therefore the screen is put in when warmer weather comes, then the glass panel is replaced in the fall in preparation for winter. Here’s, how to install storm doors!
Do you need a storm door in warmer climates?
Warmer climates don’t need storm doors to protect the door against winter weather, but the screen door would allow air to circulate during nice weather.
Why add a storm door?
When bad weather comes calling, make sure your home is protected. A storm door protects your home's entry door from bad weather, provides additional ventilation and can create an extra layer of security for your home. Choosing to add a storm door to your home (or replace a poorly performing storm door) may extend the life of your entry door, keeping it looking good and performing well for much longer. In summer, a storm door can be a relief from the sweltering heat, allowing breezes to enter your home, while keeping pesky bugs at bay. In the winter, the addition of a storm door can help keep chilly winter weather from making its way into your home.
How do storm doors protect against cold weather?
Storm doors provide an extra layer of protection against all kinds of inclement weather. They insulate your home the same way storm windows and double paned windows do-by creating a barrier of warm air that stays trapped between the storm door and entry door and prevents cold weather from entering your home. Not only do storm doors serve as a shield for your entry door and your home, they also keep the rain, ice and snow from building up in your doorway. When the sun's rays are at their most intense, a storm door will deflect the rays and diffuse the intensity of the heat, preventing your entry door from fading or warping. No matter what weather your home endures, storm doors keep your home looking and feeling great.
What is the center layer of an entry door?
Typically composed of three layers-the front and back layers consist of an aluminum skin, while the center layer is foam insulation-storm doors provide an extra pocket of insulation for entry doors. Often, entry doors serve as one of the main points of air leakage in homes. Weak points along the sides, top and bottom of an entry door are protected ...
Can you change the screen on a storm door?
Often, panels can be removed or changed, so you can adjust the style of your storm door to fit the season. For example, in the summer you may want to utilize more screens to allow the fresh breeze to enter your home, providing proper ventilation during hot weather. In the winter, however, you may want to have only glass panels in your storm door to provide additional insulation and protection from the chilly weather.
Do storm doors work in summer?
In summer, a storm door can be a relief from the sweltering heat, allowing breezes to enter your home, while keeping pesky bugs at bay. In the winter, the addition of a storm door can help keep chilly winter weather from making its way into your home. Maybe you already have a storm door... or maybe you've never even heard the term before.
What Is a Storm Door?
Storm doors are “extra” doors installed in front of an existing exterior door. A storm door provides an added layer of protection for your exterior doors, especially in the winter months, and can help air circulate in warmer weather. Storm doors serve the following functions:
When was the storm door invented?
The term storm door, defined as an additional door placed outside an ordinary exterior door for added protection from severe weather, was first used in 1878. Today’s storm doors typically have glass and screen inserts that offer flexibility depending on the season.
What is a retractable storm door?
Retractable or self-storing screen storm doors. This type of storm door usually has a full-view window but may have a half window pane. Its screen door retracts into the body of the door when not in use. To use the screen, you pop out the glass panel (s). Ventilating storm doors.
What is a full view storm door?
Full-view storm doors. This type of storm door usually has a full glass panel, but may have two or more smaller panels. Some have pet door features. When the front door is opened, a full-view storm door allows ample light to enter. Most full-view doors also have a screen panel.
Why are storm doors sturdier than screen doors?
Storm doors are sturdier than typical screen doors because they have to be built tough to keep out inclement weather.
What is partial view door?
Partial-view doors essentially have less window and more door. They still allow light and air to enter, and may have the same features of full-view doors, including removable glass panes, pet doors and retractable screens. Retractable or self-storing screen storm doors.
What is a low E glass door?
If it is broken, it crumbles instead of splinters. Low-E glass is also tempered, but with extra UV protection.
Storm Door Basics
Here are a few basic things to know about storm doors, also known as hurricane doors:
How to Fit a Storm Door
Most door manufacturers offer a kit that includes all of the hardware needed for installation, including the pre-hung door, frame, handleset, hinges, pneumatic closers and latches. Depending on which way your door opens, storm doors can be hinged to the left or right.
Custom Front Doors
Whether you want to make a black front door pop or you want to enhance commercial entry doors, the options for custom entry doors are endless.
Storm Door Screens and Glass Panels
Glass panels can heat up the space between the two doors and cause weatherstripping to deteriorate. In extreme cases, the heat could warp metal house doors. If you get direct sunlight, use a storm door with a screen starting in early spring and glass starting in late fall. Check the compatibility of the metal screens you want to buy.
Storm Door Closers and Door Stops
Most storm doors come with either a closer or a door stop. Both devices control how far your door will open. A door stop, also called a snubber, uses a chain attached to a spring to control the door. It's easy to install and adjust. A pneumatic closer prevents a door from opening too fast or too far and also closes the door slowly and firmly.
How does a door closer work?
Whichever pneumatic door closer you are looking at, the basic principle that makes it work remains the same. First, opening the door compresses air within the door closer. Next, when nothing is holding the door open anymore, the door closer uses that pressure to push the door shut again. This releases the pressure and leaves everything the way it was before the door was opened.
Can a pneumatic door closer be adjusted?
Pneumatic door closers also have other extra features. Most door closers can be adjusted to change the speed at which the door closes. The most common method involves hydraulic dampeners, but springs are also a common technique. In either system, the door closer can be adjusted with a screwdriver.
How do storm door closers work?
There are various types of door closers. Some closers are classified according to their weight or placement on the door or frame but the most common classification is the mechanism that they use for closing. Thus, you can find pneumatic door closers and hydraulic door closers.
How do you adjust a storm door with two closers?
The good thing about door closers is that they can be adjusted according to your desired speed and resistance. It is important that your storm door's closing mechanisms will keep it from slamming shut and they should also close all the way to ensure your security.
Why do you need a storm door?
Homeowners usually add a storm door to protect the primary door from bad weather and damage. A storm door can also improve energy efficiency if the exterior door doesn’t fit tightly inside the door frame and allows air to escape.
What is a storm door made of?
In a regular storm door, the central part of the door is made from panels. Usually, there are panels of glass but there may be just one panel of glass and one panel of another material. The more glass the door has the more light it will let it. Retractable screen storm doors have one panel of glass in the front and another panel in the back.
How long do retractable screen doors last?
Vinyl retractable screen storm doors generally last for around five years, but that’s still a long time compared to the time that individual screen doors and storm doors last. And if you upgrade to an aluminum wrapped retractable screen storm door, your door could last decades or more depending on the weather and wear and tear.
What is retractable storm door?
Retractable storm doors are a screen door and storm door combo that provides both the function of a storm door and the function of a screen door. So when you install a retractable screen storm door, you don’t need to change that exterior door ever.
How long do vinyl storm doors last?
Most vinyl storm doors only are under warranty for five years and after that, they will need replacing. Aluminum storm doors last much longer because the metal is stronger. Although metal storm doors can become scratched and dented, which is something that most homeowners aren’t too concerned about because scratches and dents are relatively easy ...
Why do people love retractable doors?
Isn’t it obvious? Homeowners love retractable screen doors because they make it simple and easy to adjust to the seasons. No more ripping out storm doors to install screen doors and doing the opposite when the weather changes.
Can a screen door be damaged?
However, removing a storm door and installing a screen door is time-consuming and difficult. The door itself could be damaged if it’s not installed correctly. When homeowners change their exterior doors twice a year, there’s a good chance that the frame will get bent or damaged from all the wear and tear. Retractable storm doors are ...
