Whether it’s extreme heat, cold, or something in between, your home is subject to many temperature fluctuations as the seasons change. As the gateway to your home, your exterior door is responsible for controlling the amount of air coming in.
However, if your property experiences temperature spikes and drops regularly, you want to ensure that you have the best front door option to protect and maintain comfort. Here’s how to choose the best door for harsh weather this season.
Cold
Nothing blocks extreme cold in its tracks like a well-insulated door. Consider solid wood and fiberglass-or metal-insulated doors as contenders when selecting your top choices. These materials are fantastic at trapping heat and blocking drafts.
Upon installation, check the frame for light leaks and gaps. There should be an air-tight seal around the entry. If not, consider trying some key tips to winterize your front door as a possible solution. You may want to install a storm door as a protective layer for hail situations.
Heat
Like cold weather, well-insulated door options can keep out heat. However, remember to install a screen door, so you have the opportunity to open your exterior door and let the breeze in.
It’s vital to note that metal does not perform well in the heat since it captures the warmth and harbors it, often making it scorching to the touch. In this case, you may want to consider wood or fiberglass doors as your options.
Humidity
The ideal door to combat high humidity is a screen door. You can install a screen door and storm door to protect your home’s interior from the outside elements.
Wooden doors can perform poorly in locations with high humidity since they tend to swell. The excessive moisture also allows mold and rot to accumulate and damage the door’s appearance. Consider solid hardwood if you still prefer a wooden option since it swells less frequently.
Otherwise, selecting a fiberglass or metal door is the best route to take in this situation.
Sunlight
If you live in a location that experiences copious amounts of sunshine, a fiberglass door may be the optimal choice for your home. Fiberglass doors last longer in these conditions, as metal gets hot, and wood may experience weathering.
One of the worst and most energy-consuming structures in a home is an inefficient exterior door. Frames and structures that lack protection leave your home susceptible to uncomfortable temperatures and living conditions.
Fortunately, now that you know how to choose the best door for harsh weather, you can provide your entryway with the necessary reinforcement to withstand all weather conditions, no matter how extreme.