Do Storm Doors Help Insulate a Home?

Saving money matters to you.

You have spent hours researching and making sure that your home is energy efficient and saves you as much money as possible.

Your research has led to you ask:

Does a storm door help insulate a home?

That is a great question and we will answer it along with many others. 

This guide will help you navigate the world of storm doors and answer your questions.

From learning, if there is even such a thing as an energy-efficient storm door to discovering additional ways you could save, this guide contains all you need to know about the relationship between your energy charges and your storm door.

Table of Contents

●     Are Storm Doors Considered Energy-Efficient?

●     How Storm Doors Can Help You Save Energy

●     Do Storm Doors Help With Drafts?

●     How Does a Storm Door Help Insulate a Home?

●     How Much Does a Storm Door Help Insulate?

●     Types of Storm Doors and Their Ability to Insulate

●     Additional Benefits of an Energy-Efficient Storm Door

●     How to Choose the Right Storm Door for Your Home’s Insulation Needs

●     When Shouldn’t You Install a Storm Door?

●     Are Storm Doors Worth the Price for Energy Savings?

●     Explore Gexa Energy’s Electricity Plans and How You Can Save

Are Storm Doors Considered Energy-Efficient?

Yes and no.

Storm doors could help save energy because they regulate the temperature of your home.

Storm doors add an extra barrier between your home and the great outdoors.

This keeps the warm air inside during the cold months and the cool air inside during the hot months.

Storm doors can help your home’s temperature remain where you want it.

Although there is often a considerable amount of heat loss due to drafty doors, storm doors are not typically considered highly energy efficient.

Storm doors will likely have some energy-saving effect, but it probably won’t be substantial.

However, even if the energy efficiency of storm doors is minimal, it may still exist.

And there are some other great benefits to installing a storm door.

How Storm Doors Can Help You Save Energy

As previously mentioned, storm doors may not save a huge amount of energy — but they may help save some.

Storm doors save energy by adding insulation to your home.

Another layer between you and the elements naturally results in further protection from them.

Insulation is the magic word when it comes to what storm doors have to offer.

Because they add that extra layer and help prevent your temperature-controlled air from escaping, using storm doors may help decrease the amount of time you have to run your heater or AC unit.

It is important to note that, while a storm door might help regulate your home’s temperature, it won’t necessarily significantly decrease your energy charges.

Do Storm Doors Help With Drafts?

Storm doors can be a great asset when it comes to fighting drafts.

They help block the outside air from coming into your home.

Installing a storm door may help reduce drafts originating at your exterior doors.

Picture this…

You are sitting in your favorite recliner in your living room.

You have a great, soft blanket and you are sipping a delicious and comforting cup of hot chocolate.

The newest season of your favorite TV show is playing and your world is feeling pretty close to perfect.

And then a frigid chill hits you like an arctic blast.

The cold air from outside is blowing in through your drafty front door.

Now you are sitting in your favorite chair freezing instead of enjoying your evening.

Drafts are a pain.

Storm doors can help decrease the severity of this unpleasant experience by keeping that frosty air where it belongs… outside.

In addition to disrupting perfect evenings, drafts might increase the total on your energy charges.

How Can a Storm Door Help Insulate a Home?

A storm door may help insulate by adding a layer between Mother Nature and your home.

Every layer between the inside of your home and the elements outside is one more way that it can remain at a steady temperature.

Insulation works through restricting the three main ways that heat transfers:

●     Conduction -  when the heat goes through something

●     Radiation -  when heat “radiates” off of something and onto something else

●     Convection - in gas or liquid, when cooler molecules move downwards and warmer ones move upwards

By limiting these processes, insulation can help regulate temperatures.

How Much Does a Storm Door Help Insulate?

There is no way to know exactly how much a storm door will help insulate your home. It won’t be as much as insulating some other high-draft areas — however, it is a great part of almost any comprehensive attempt at adding insulation to your home.

Storm doors are not a complete insulation package.

They will only help with drafts originating from your door and, while those drafts can seem extreme, they don’t represent the majority of heat loss in your home.

Installing storm doors can certainly help insulate your home, but they will only protect you from a relatively small amount of heat loss.

The amount of heat lost through your front door is hard to pin down.

Some place this number as low as 3% while others place it higher, more like 18-20%.

Utilizing a storm door can be a great way to reduce this heat loss.

Although using a storm door won’t necessarily save a ton, there are some other great ways to conserve electricity such as:

●     Turning off your ceiling fan

●     Adjusting your refrigerator’s temperature

●     Unplugging electronics when you aren't using them

Types of Storm Doors and Their Ability to Insulate

Storm doors are not just one-size-fits-all.

There are different types of storm doors created for different needs and environments.

There are three main types of storm door frames that you should be aware of:

●     Vinyl frames

●     Aluminum

●     Composite

Vinyl frames are typically the cheapest option, costing as little as $100. They hide damage well and offer a good deal of insulation. Vinyl storm doors do not rust and are generally pretty simple and inexpensive.

The main drawback with a vinyl frame is that it is not built to last like some of the other kinds. This means that you will have to replace a vinyl door more often. Additionally, vinyl doors are not as attractive as other options.

Aluminum storm doors are heavy-duty and strong. Because of their strength and weight, these doors can be great as an added home security measure. They are unfazed by tough weather and are built to last. They also hold a great rating for curb appeal.

Unfortunately, these doors are much more expensive, costing up to $500. In addition, they are highly conductive, meaning that they take the heat from outside and absorb it right into your home. This makes aluminum storm doors a poor choice for hot climates. If you are looking for a more energy-efficient storm door, aluminum is not your best choice.

Composite, also known as fiberglass storm doors, are the chameleon of storm doors. They can be stained or painted to match any look and take first place in the curb appeal competition. These doors are incredibly durable and don't show nearly as much damage as vinyl or aluminum doors might. This material also offers a good deal of insulation.

The weakness of the composite storm door is the price. Out of these three options, a composite door is by far the most expensive, running more than $800 and possibly up to $2,000. Composite storm doors do not offer the same security as aluminum.

There are other storm door options, but these are the more popular ones.

Additional Benefits of an Energy-Efficient Storm Door

In addition to providing insulation and general protection from what nature might throw at you, there are some other benefits to having a good storm door that might be worth your consideration.

Helps Protect Against the Elements

It is no secret that the elements take their toll on anything and everything.

Mother Nature can make maintaining your home a difficult feat …

●     Blazing hot summer days of perpetual sunshine

●     Torrential downpours of a Texas thunderstorm; and

●     Frigid winters complete with ice and snow

… can impact your home in massive ways, and your front door is no different.

Extreme weather can destroy your primary door.

A storm door can help prevent that.

From adding insulation to being an additional barrier between you and floodwaters, a storm door can be a great addition that helps you stay comfortable and might even keep your home dry.

Adds Extra Home Security

No matter how safe your neighborhood might be, added home security always translates to added mental peace.

Storm doors can help provide more of that peace.

Your front door is your first line of defense against a would-be burglar.

Thanks to modern technology, it is now possible to get storm doors that are equipped with some great security features such as:

●     Strong, secure locks

●     Shatter-resistant glass

●     Three-point locking systems

How to Choose the Right Storm Door for Your Home’s Insulation Needs

If you are looking for the most energy-efficient storm door, the following things are non-negotiable:

●     The door needs weather stripping to ensure a tight seal.

●     It should hinge on the same side as your main door.

●     A professional should take all measurements and ensure a flawless fit.

●     The glass panel should have argon or another gas filling like argon.

●     The glass should have a low-E coating to protect your main door from excessive exposure to heat and sun.

 

When Shouldn’t You Install a Storm Door?

While storm doors are a great asset to most homes, there are some situations where it is better left off.

If your front door receives more than a few hours of direct sunlight every day, a storm door might not be for you.

Some storm doors can trap the blistering rays of the sun against your door and promote long-term damage and deterioration.

Are Storm Doors Worth the Price for Energy Savings?

If the only perk you are looking for from your storm door is savings on your energy charges, skip it.

The costs for a good storm door add up quickly when you factor in:

●     Cost of the door

●     Installation

●     Security upgrades

●     Maintenance

The price of the door will probably not outweigh the savings from potential decreased electricity usage.

But there are many other great benefits to be had from installing a storm door.

If those other benefits appeal to you, opting for a storm door is a great option.

Explore Gexa Energy’s Electricity Plans and How You Can Save

While installing a storm door probably won’t bring your monthly energy charges down by a significant number, switching to one of Gexa Energy’s electricity plans just might.

For many Texas residents, there are options available when it comes to choosing your electricity service.

Gexa Energy is here to offer you low-priced plans that meet your electricity needs. Plus, all of our plans are 100% green!. 

Gexa Energy is here to give you the options you want at the prices you need.

 

* Happiness Guarantee - If you’re not happy with your new Gexa Energy residential plan, just call us within 60 days of your service activation date, change to another available Gexa Energy plan, and we’ll waive the early cancellation fee on your first plan; applies one time only for new Gexa Energy residential customers. Your contract term will restart with your second plan. Offer subject to change or withdrawal prior to customer acceptance.