| Designs & Ideas |
Even when closed, most front doors leak air.
Typically, air can pass through the edges
even with weather-stripping, but also, heat
can transfer through the material of the
door itself, especially if it contains glass.
To better seal your home and insulate it
from the cold of winter and the heat of summer,
consider investing in a storm door.
Storm doors work by providing
an additional
thermal barrier. While they do
not in themselves
provide a perfect seal, in combination
with
the regular door, they block
most drafts
and much of the heat transfer.
Storm doors are available in a variety of
styles to fit the design of your home. Generally,
they are made of aluminum and glass and may
include brass; more expensive models have
a wood frame. The metal may be finished with
a glossy or painted surface. Door handles
range from simplistic to elegant.
Some storm doors have removable glass panes
that allow a changeover to all screens in
warmer months for ventilation, but these
require you to remove and store the glass
when not in use. Other models incorporate
sliding panes and screens to enable the door
to be opened; in fancier models, the screens
roll up inside the door when not in use to
keep them from obstructing the view.
For security, some storm doors include metal
bars in the pattern and security locks. If
you are purchasing a largely glass door without
metal bars, save money on the lock since
the strength of the lock can be defeated
by breaking the glass.
For optimal insulation, make
sure the door
includes quality seals; the best
being magnetic
seals like those found on a refrigerator.
The door should also include
a "sweep"
to seal the bottom. Because the
seal of the
storm door is important and may
be difficult
to install, you might want to
consider professional
installation.
Finally, the true test of a door is not only
its appearance but in its function. See how
easily it operates, how strong the hinges
are, and how securely it opens and closes. |
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