5 Types Of Exterior Doors And Their Qualities

exterior doors

When considering how best to lower your home’s energy bills, the issue may lie within the windows and doors that you use. Although about 15% of your home’s wall space is taken up by windows, you also need to prioritize energy-efficient exterior doors. Both doors and windows can possess sealing issues that can ultimately result in heat escaping from your home. This will trigger an overworked response in your HVAC system and ultimately lead to higher energy bills.

Therefore, when it comes time to replace your exterior doors, you need to consider the different types of doors carefully. While you should make sure that you invest in doors that you like on an aesthetic level, it’s important to prioritize doors that will last for the long term, while also tending to your energy needs. With that in mind, let’s look into some of the different types of styles that you should consider when shopping for replacement doors.

1. Steel Entry Doors

Let’s consider first steel entry doors, as these may be somewhat less familiar to you than other types of exterior doors. This is something to consider if you’ve previously experienced security issues with your home and are worried about your entry door being broken into or damaged again. Steel entry doors certainly can create a more secure home, and can also add a certain level of intimidation to potential intruders once they realize what they’re dealing with.

Steel doors are also more able to withstand severe weather. If you want to invest in doors that will last for a significant amount of time, steel doors are among your best bets. They usually come with foam core insulation, therefore locking in heat throughout the year. You could either invest in a door that looks like it’s made of steel or one that has been finished in a different color, with a wood grain effect.

2. Wood Doors

We often assume that most exterior doors are made of wood, when in fact the reality is that most exterior doors are made to look like they’re made of wood. That’s because homeowners love the appearance of wood, even when it isn’t necessarily the best option on a practical level. While wood doors can be very sturdy, they’re not without their weaknesses. They can be susceptible to rotting, warping, and expanding due to moisture which of course means that they often don’t last as long as other types of doors.

Wood doors are also more expensive than most other types of doors and require regular maintenance in order to maintain their appearances. Wood doors need to be painted or stained every few years. Depending on where you live, they may actually need to be tended to even more often.

3. Fiberglass Doors

Fiberglass doors are popular alternatives to wood doors and have actually been growing in favor within recent history. They do not rot, warp, or expand and can be modeled after wood doors in appearance.

Like steel entry doors, fiberglass doors often come with foam core insulation, and they’re resistant to scratching or denting. If a steel door seems too heavy or intimidating, you may want to consider investing in a fiberglass door instead.

4. Sliding Patio Doors

Needless to say, entry doors are not the only types of exterior doors on the market. You may alternately need to consider the best investments for patio doors. Sliding patio doors are popular for a reason. They can come in aluminum, wood, vinyl, and operate on rolling tracks that make them easy to manage.

Though sliding doors can be energy efficient, this often depends on the materials from which they’re made. In this sense, aluminum and vinyl are often the best choices.

5. French Patio Doors

The advantages of French patio doors are clear. They create a sense of elegance, while at the same time allowing a good deal of light. These patio doors are not necessarily as convenient as sliding doors, but can greatly enhance the appearance of a home.

Keep in mind that when choosing a door, you should make sure that you’re taking into consideration its durability, the location in which you live, and its aesthetic appeal. With that in mind, you’re bound to make the right choice.

5 Steps to Take If Your Windows and Doors Are Inefficient

sliding glass doors

So you’ve lowered your air conditioning and heating needs, you’ve made sure that you don’t keep any lights on unnecessarily, and you’ve made an effort to turn off electronic devices when they aren’t in use. But your energy bills are still higher than you anticipated. What are you doing wrong?

In many cases, the issue lies with your doors and windows. Quite often, cool and hot air can escape through windows and doors. This leads to your HVAC system overcompensating in order to make up for the loss, which can ultimately result in your energy bills rising. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that that air leaks around your windows and doors can add up to 10% to your heating bills. Therefore, you should consider how you can best cut down your energy bills through your doors and windows. Is it possible that you would lose less energy if your sliding glass doors were updated? Should you consider different types of replacement windows? Let’s explore the different options below.

1. Have Seals Inspected

You should consider having the seals for your entry doors and windows inspected before you move forward with any replacements. It’s possible that the seals themselves could be mended before you spend on any outright replacements. Although sliding glass doors are attractive, some of them may have seals that are less secure. Therefore, you should see if your doors and windows are even capable of sealing properly first, as this could be the issue you’re dealing with.

2. Consider the Materials

Different door and window materials offer different results in terms of energy efficiency. For example, wooden frames may be more prone to rot, which ultimately results in more air escaping your home. Vinyl is a different material that you should consider for both windows and doors. Vinyl offers a certain level of insulation that traps heat within the home whether you’re using sliding glass doors and French doors. Metal frames are similarly energy efficient, as are fiberglass frames. You should keep this in mind as you begin updating the doors and windows within your home.

3. Think About Age

Did you invest in an older home? It’s possible that your windows and doors, regardless of their types or the materials from which they are made, need to be updated. Certain materials do last longer than others. As previously mentioned, wooden frames can be more prone to damage and rot, which would mean that they need to be replaced sooner than metal, vinyl, or fiberglass frames. If you can determine your door and window frames are more than 20 years old, you should consider having them replaced sooner rather than later.

4. Change the Style

It’s possible that you may be better off with different styles of windows and doors. If your French doors need to be replaced anyway, you may want to think about replacing them with doors that will better accommodate your energy needs. If you invest in sliding glass doors that are designed to be energy efficient with locking air chambers, you may be able to lower your energy bills significantly. For that matter, this is a great time to consider updating the appearance of your home.

5. Invest in Energy-Efficient Frames

Of course, you don’t have to change the style of your doors and windows in order to update them. Keep in mind that you can simply have them replaced with energy-efficient versions of the same styles.

You have options available as a homeowner if you want to lower your energy bills. The cause of the issue could be much simpler than you think or it could require you to replace your windows and doors entirely. No matter what the issue may be, approach it carefully and don’t jump to conclusions.