Have you heard of energy-efficient doors? The 21st century has witnessed the most fast-paced technological innovations in history. The core theme of such innovations has revolved around making systems more user-friendly and efficient in terms of energy.
Living in a time of alarming rates of climate change, it’s become imperative to incorporate sustainability into everyday life. You may think that these themes are far-fetched and have nothing to do with your daily life. However, when it comes to energy sustainability, it is a two-way road, one where there are benefits both ways.
Energy-efficient new doors for your home are one such innovation with positive repercussions for both the user and the planet. The team at Family Windows & Doors specializes in finding the right replacement door options for home.
What Are Energy Efficient Doors?
Exterior doors that are built out of high insulation materials are energy efficient. Depending on the materials used to insulate the door’s surface, the levels of efficiency tend to vary. Such doors trap the available heat energy within its surface, thereby preventing energy loss. This phenomenon leads to the temperature balance inside your home, thereby downsizing your utility bills considerably.
How to Make Doors Energy-Efficient?
Doors can be insulated or non-insulated. When installing doors for your newly built home or replacing old doors that have surpassed their utility, it is highly recommended to go for energy-efficient doors with good quality insulation.
Here are the following features of a door that make them energy efficient and also determine the extent of the energy efficiency.
Insulation
The most sought-after method of thermal management is insulation. The doors of your home need insulation (if they don’t have it already) to be energy efficient. You can also add extra insulation over the door’s surface to enhance heat-trapping if you wish to.
Polyurethane or PUR is a plastic material that can be rigid or flexible depending on the requirement. This material can coat your doors to provide the maximum insulation that enables the cost-cutting of heating services. It is easy to apply using a rapid spray method, which is quick and increases its volume considerably. Spraying PUR guarantees that every nook and corner of your door is well insulated.
Additionally, PUR has a very low heat transfer coefficient value which reflects its high insulation capabilities. It is extremely lightweight. Hence, it doesn’t add any weight to the build of your house.
It is also resistant to damage, making it a great investment in terms of durability. However, the cost is on the heavier side for installing PUR insulation. Nonetheless, you will be able to recover the entire cost as you save up on your monthly utility bills for a long time.
Material of the Door
The building material of your door plays a crucial role in determining its energy efficiency.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass entry doors with foam cores are the strongest materials for doors. Fiberglass itself is a very poor conductor of heat, and when complemented with extra insulation, the energy efficiency of these doors becomes unmatchable. This should be your first choice when making your door energy efficient.
Aluminum or steel
Doors made up of aluminum or steel are popular choices for exterior doors. Both these materials have insulating properties for heat, hence ensuring energy efficiency. Contrastingly, these materials also seem to conduct heat and reflect the outside temperatures on their surface. They may also be prone to damage and dents and are less durable than fiberglass doors.
Wood
Wood doors are elegant and classic and may be the perfect match with your house design. Unfortunately, these doors are poor insulators of heat, and they absorb a lot of heat within their surfaces, allowing thermal circulation across the interior and exterior of your home. Wood doors would not contribute to energy efficiency in your house.
Frames
The frames that hold your door are as important as the surface of your doors. The framing material has much to do about the energy efficiency of your door.
Composite frames
These are the best choice to incorporate energy-saving and make your doors damage-resistant. A composite frame is built up of multiple layers of different materials mixed that cumulatively provide considerable insulation and protection.
Metal frames
Such frames provide intermediate insulation and heat-trapping but have associated problems of developing rust and damage over time.
Wooden frames
Although a popular choice in past days, wooden frames do not provide sufficient insulation and are prone to rot and termites.
Weatherstripping
To add to the insulation capabilities of your door, you may opt for weatherstripping to make your doors more energy-efficient. You can purchase airtight weather strips and fix them along all the sides of your door, not leaving any gaps. This can be an economical, quick fix that contributes to energy efficiency in your home. However, these strips are temporary in their functionality and need to be replaced from time to time.
All the best qualities that make your doors highly energy-efficient are combined in Patio doors and French doors. These doors are designed specifically to be energy efficient; double pane glass with argon gas in between the surfaces and maximized weather stripping make them the perfect energy-efficient doors. You can opt for these door types directly or customize them according to the abovementioned list.
How to Gauge the Energy Efficiency of Doors?
If you want to gauge the energy efficiency of the doors, you currently have, or when you purchase a new one, you must consider the following.
Energy Star Certification
Your door of choice should have a valid Energy Star Certification that guarantees energy-efficient properties in the door. The official website has more information on the evaluation criteria of energy star ratings and certification.
U-factor
The U-factor plays a major role in determining the energy star rating. U-factor is the rate at which heat passes through the door. The lower the U-factor, the higher the rating and the more efficient your door of choice is.
R-value
This determines the insulating capability of your door. The higher the value, the more efficient it is. Across the United States, acceptable R values range from 13 to 21.
Contact Family Windows & Doors Today to Get Your Energy Efficient Doors!
In addition to cost-saving from utility bills, energy-efficient doors protect against extreme weather, are soundproof, and are eco-friendly, making your choice valuable for the planet as well!
For any needs related to doors, Family Windows & Doors is your local family dealer. Contact us today and our expert team will come to your home and work with you to determine the best possible option for you and your family.
