Entry Doors And Energy Efficiency In 2021

Your Doors Play A HUGE Role In Your Home’s Energy Efficiency. Here’s How:

Energy efficiency is key to so many different aspects of your home, and that includes your entry doors. The good news is that as time moves forward, so do advances in energy efficiency. Entry doors use materials that are more energy efficient, manufacturers and installation crews use methods that are more energy efficient. So now there are more energy efficient entry doors for your home that can come in the styles you want than ever before. Curious about entry door energy efficiency and what you can do about it in 2021? Here’s everything you need to know:

Why Entry Door Energy Efficiency Matters

The US Department of Energy posits that entry doors account for 18-20% of heat loss in an average home. That means during the winter, cold air could be leaking in through that small crack under your entry door…and your heated indoor air could be slipping out. Naturally, this isn’t the most comfortable state for your home. It also costs you money, because your furnace has to work harder to heat your home. It can be just as problematic in summer, when hot air is getting in and your cool air is getting out.

The more energy you use to condition your home, the higher your carbon footprint, which impacts the environment as a whole. If you want to save money, live comfortably, and reduce your carbon footprint, looking for energy efficiency door options is a must.

Entry Door Energy Efficiency Ratings

Windows may use NFRC labels to rate their energy efficiency, and glass inserts for entry doors can do the same, but this does not serve the whole door. Instead, what you’re looking for is R-value, which rates the insulation of a feature of your home. The higher the R-value, the better insulated it is. You want to try to find a door with an R-value of 5 or 6 at least in order to consider it energy efficient.

What Makes an Entry Door Energy Efficient?

So you know that you’re interested in an energy efficient entry door. The next question is what makes an entry door energy efficient? How are energy efficient entry doors different from the rest? They may look the same on the outside, but energy efficient entry doors are built to be insulating and stand up to the elements, inside and out. Here are a few things you’ll want to look for in an energy efficient entry door:

  • Multi-paned glass. Entry doors often have glass inserts in them so as to let more light into the entryway and boost curb appeal. It also helps homeowners to see who might be on the other side. If your entry door has a glass insert, check if that glass insert is made double or triple-paned. Multi-paned glass provides an extra barrier to slow the flow of air from one side of the door to the other. It also makes the glass thicker and thus more secure.
  • The right entry door material. A flimsy material will not be energy efficient, and a more insulating material won’t be energy efficient for long if it becomes worn down and soon has to be replaced. Search for a durable material that resists heat loss and helps to insulate your entryway.
  • Weatherstripping. That small 1/8th inch of space between the bottom of your door and the threshold could be letting out a substantial amount of your indoor heating. It’s important to seal that if you want to have a truly energy efficient door. Weatherstripping is an adhesive rubber (usually) material that wraps around your door and helps keep air leaks out.

Why Fiberglass Entry Doors

If you’re looking for a truly energy efficient door material, the answer is fiberglass. Fiberglass entry doors are as strong as steel but they resist peeling paint and rust in a way that steel doors don’t. They also resist the effects of the weather like rotting or swelling that can occur with wood doors. This makes fiberglass one of the most durable entry door materials, but it’s also one of the most energy efficient door materials out there. It not only helps to block air leakage and heat loss but it takes less energy to manufacture than other materials, so you’re truly getting energy efficiency right from the start.

Why the Installation Crew Matters

Even the best fiberglass entry door can fail you when it comes to energy efficiency if it’s improperly installed. If the door is, for instance, the wrong size or is installed at a crooked angle, that will let in even more air leaks than a non-energy efficient door installed well. If the door is damaged during the process of the installation, it will become susceptible to more damage, and those energy efficient benefits will begin to wane. That’s why Today’s Entry Doors installs every door we sell, to make sure it’s done right from the beginning.

Energy Efficient Entry Door Tips

Want to make sure your entry door stays energy efficient long after it’s installed? Some maintenance and other entry door energy efficiency know-how may be required in order to keep it in shape. Here are a few of our tips:

  • Replace old doors that have outlived their functional lifespan.
  • Add a screen door.
  • Weatherstrip your entry doors thoroughly.
  • Clean your doors regularly to keep them from becoming worn down.
  • Work with a door manufacturer and installation crew you can trust.

At Today’s Entry Doors, we sell top of the line energy efficient entry doors from top tier manufacturers like JELD-WEN, Therma-Tru, and Masonite. Interested in adding more energy efficiency to your home through your entry doors in 2021? Contact us today to order your energy efficient entry door to get started.

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