If your existing exterior doors are old, underinsulated, or improperly sealed, you need to replace them. Many homeowners opt for new entry doors for their looks, but if you’re looking to keep your cooling and heating bills down while increasing your comfort level at the same time, you would be wise to invest in energy-efficient models.

Material

The material you select for your new entry door will have a big effect on its energy efficiency. Solid wood doors may be beautiful, but they don’t give you the insulation and energy efficiency of other modern materials. A 1.5-inch-thick fiberglass or insulated steel door, for example, will give you at least 5x the insulating value of a solid wood door of similar thickness.

• Fiberglass entry doors are durable yet light, and resist against denting and rust for superior longevity. They draw their energy efficiency from their dense polyurethane cores. If you love the look of wood, you can choose a fiberglass with a wood grain texture so you get the best of both worlds.
• Steel entry doors have a steel outer shell with a polyurethane core for optimal efficiency. Some steel doors also have magnetic weather stripping to keep leaks at bay  that may arise between the door and frame. Steel doors are also extremely secure, long-lasting, and resist against cracking and warping.

Efficiency of Glass Panels

Whether you want a patio door with glass from top to bottom, or you’re looking for a front door with a decorative glass panel, consider the fact that glass doors lose more heat than any other type of door. Of course, the insulating capabilities of glass have gotten a boost in recent years thanks to the latest in technology.

Be on the lookout for features such as double and triple glazing, low-e coatings, thermal breaks, and low-conductivity gas fills. These typically increase the cost of glass doors, but you will find they are worth the investment.

Storm Doors

If your existing door is getting old but it’s still in good condition, you can boost its energy efficiency through the addition of a storm door. This is essentially a second door installed over the first one featuring an aluminum, fiberglass or steel frame and glass panels. High-quality storm doors can also come with screens with sliding or even removable glass panels for better ventilation without inviting bugs in.

Professional Exterior Door Installation

In the end, it doesn’t matter how energy-efficient a door is; it’s the installation that really makes the difference. Unless your new door has been installed correctly, it won’t perform as it was designed to. That’s why proper installation makes all the difference, ensuring your door will fit snugly in its frame with no chance for air leakage around corners or edges.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Dallas Door Designs offers a variety of energy-efficient exterior doors for you to choose from. To learn more about our selection and our process, contact us at 214-973-0373 in Dallas.

Most homeowners pay very little attention to how their front doors look, and even less to the state of their doors. But not you – you’re different! You care about the condition of your front and back doors, and are here to get a few tips on cleaning them, right? If you’re starting to notice the chips in the frame paint, the cobwebs skulking in the corner or the dirty kick plate at the bottom, then surely your guests already have.

It’s time you invested in some much-needed summer time cleaningfor your front and back doors! Check out these tips.

Gather Supplies and Make a Plan

Collect the basics, such as:

• Paper towels
• Microfiber cloth
• Glass cleaner
• All-purpose cleaner

Scrawl out a plan on paper for which door you’ll start with and how you will proceed. Set the timer on your phone so you can devote a set period of time to each door. That could be 10 minutes or 30 minutes – that will depend on your individual work style.

Start With Entryway Doors

Doors that face the street and that welcome guests need more TLC, for obvious reasons. But before you tackle the cleaning, stand outside on the lawn facing your door. Then move closer, giving your entry way a discriminating eye so you know what has to be done to restore its luster. What’s the first impression of your own front door? Could it use small repairs? Is it really dirty? Now, you can get to work.  

Use a broom to sweep dust, debris and leaves off the front porch. Don’t forget to wipe cobwebs from porch railings and corners, also removing birds’ nests and bee hives if need be. Use a wet rag to wipe any dirt you see. Next, spritz glass cleaner on all glass panes, rubbing gently in a circular motion.

This is where microfiber cloths work best, because they don’t leave behind streaks or dust clumps. It’s actually better to wash door windows on cloudy days so the cleaning agent doesn’t dry too fast, which tends to leave streaks.

If the paint looks like it’s in need of a touch-up, this is the time to do it. For a nice touch, add seasonal flowers to the porch or hang a wreath or other decorative element on the front door.

Now Do the Back Doors

The back doors don’t require as much attention when it comes to beautification, but they will definitely benefit from a good cleaning. If you’re doing this late in the summer/fall season, take this time to switch out the screens for storm doors.

Got sliding doors that lead to a patio? Inspect the tracks, particularly if they have been giving you a hard time with sticking. Loosen up all debris with a scrub brush, then use a portable shop vac to vacuum up the rest, says Better Homes and Gardens. Wipe down using a sponge, then test the slider so you know it’s working smoothly.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Do your doors need a whole lot more than just some simple spring cleaning? Choose Dallas Door Designs for brand new ones you can be proud of. Please contact us at 214-973-0373.