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.
