Energy-Efficient Doors and How They Can Benefit Your Home

If you’ve been a homeowner for a while, chances are you’ve been confronted with sky-high energy bills at some point. It’s an issue that worries many but is successfully solved by few. Don’t fret! The solution is surprisingly easy.

Replacing your old and drafty entry doors in Troy, NY, can help loads. Here’s how that works:

Insulated Core

Not all doors are the same. Some are better insulators than others. A door’s thermal resistance is measured using R-values. The higher the value, the better the door performs against solar heat gain.

Insulated fiberglass and steel doors are the most energy-efficient, with R-values that range from R-5 to R-6. These doors also typically have insulated foam cores to improve performance. ProVia doors, for example, feature a polyurethane core that reduces energy loss through the unit.

Low-Emissivity Glazing

Some homeowners like decorative glass on their doors. Aesthetically speaking, that works wonders. The challenge, however, is picking out a glass that won’t let the sun toast your furnishings.

Newer entry door models feature low-emissivity (low-E) glazing options. These reflect a good percentage of the sun’s heat so that you stay adequately cool inside the home even on warmer days. They’re spectrally selective as well. This means they won’t compromise the unit’s ability to let in visible light.

Weather Stripping

Costly energy might slip through gaps around your entry doors. You need a good sealing system to prevent this from happening. For example, ProVia uses energy-efficient Q-Lon weather stripping along the sides and top of their door. A Q-Lon corner seal also keeps air, dirt, and moisture out of your home.

Installation

Good-quality doors must be installed by an expert to maximize energy efficiency. Hiring a pro ensures that there will be no cracks or nicks where heated or cooled air can escape. Further, pro handling means the beauty of the unit can be maintained throughout the installation. If the doors are made of fine materials, they can look good and perform superbly for years to come.

Huff ‘N Puff excels at installing ProVia entry doors. Our ENERGY STAR–qualifying units can help your heating and cooling needs significantly. Call us at (518) 688-1624 (Capital Region) or (845) 245-2630 (Hudson Valley) for a free, no-pressure door consultation.