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Energy Efficient Doors

Photo of an exterior door from the outside.
Doors not only beautify our homes, Energy Efficient Doors that are properly installed also save us Energy and Money!

If you've ever gone looking for exterior doors, you know there are a lot of options. Some are energy efficient and some are not. Here are some tips on what to look for when you're shopping for Energy Efficient Doors.

Choose an Energy Efficient Material

Three very common energy efficient materials are wood, steel and fiberglass. Wood itself is an excellent insulation. Steel and fiberglass doors have an insulating foam material inside making them Energy Efficient.

Wood Doors are beautiful but are susceptible to weather damage and are fairly expensive.

Steel Doors are strong, affordable and resist warping.

Fiberglass Doors are more expensive than steel, less expensive than wood and are resistant to warping, denting and rusting.

Proper Installation Is A Must

Once you've got the right Energy Efficient Door for your home, it's very important to have it installed properly. You'll want to have a good seal so air doesn't leak in and out. When that happens, energy is being wasted which could increase your energy bill. It's not a bad idea to check all your door and window seals periodically.

Door Sweeps

are used to seal the gap between the door and the threshold or door sill. Attached to the bottom of the door, they offer increased energy efficiency by blocking air from passing through. They also keep out debris and little critters that might wonder into your home. Door Sweeps come in a variety of colors and materials including vinyl and aluminum and are very easy to install. Be aware that aluminum conducts heat and cold.

Draft Dodger

Look for Energy Star

This is a government-backed program helping individuals and businesses protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Energy Star Doors meet strict energy efficiency guidelines and save energy and money.

Note: all Energy Star Doors are Energy Efficient. Still, some are better than others so compare them carefully.

Photo of a patio door.

Choose Energy Efficient Glass

If you are buying a patio door or others types of doors that have glass in them, you want the glass to be as Energy Efficient as the door. Here's what to look for:

R Value
The R Value tells you how resistant to heat the glass is. The higher the R value, the more resistant the glass.

U value
The U value tells you how much heat passes through the glass. A lower U value means less heat gets through.

Low Emmissivity or Low E Coating
A Low E coating limits the amount of heat that passes through the glass. The lower the rating, the better the insulation.
Note: low E coatings do not prevent your drapes and furniture from fading.

Summary: for maximum energy efficiency, you're looking for a high
R Value, a low U Value and a Low E Coating.

Double Paned Glass
The double panes offer better insulation than single panes.

Once you’ve got your Energy Efficient Door properly installed you can enjoy the beauty and energy savings it will provide for years to come.

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