Weathering the Search For A Storm Door

There are several reasons why homeowners in Pittsburgh and other towns in Western Pennsylvania add storm doors to their homes. Some people add storm doors to their home for added ventilation, some are looking to increase energy efficiency, and others choose to add storm doors for security purposes.

Storm doors originated from the widespread popularity of wooden screen doors from many years ago. The wooden screen doors were used to cool and ventilate a home during the hot summer months, while keeping insects out,  and animals and small children in! As manufacturing materials progressed many Pittsburghers began to gravitate towards storm doors made of aluminum frames that did not require as much maintenance. Another upside to the new aluminum doors was the ability to remove the screens and replace them with glass in the winter to better protect homes against the punishing winter conditions often prevalent in Western PA. 

As mentioned above, some people consider adding a storm door in an effort to increase their home’s energy efficiency. Unless you have an older entry door with poor weather stripping, this step is unnecessary. Today’s newer entry doors, with foam filled steel or fiberglass and effective weather stripping provide all the energy efficiency possible, and adding a storm door will not amount to significant savings.

If you are looking for ventilation, a storm door with a screen insert can certainly help the flow of air unto the house when the entry door is open. If you have air conditioning or central air in your home, chances are you will not open the main entry door that often, making a screen door unnecessary. However home owners without air conditioning will certainly welcome the sweet summer breeze a storm door can provide! 

Storm doors come in a variety of designs and sizes. This door features decorative grids to enhance the ornate design of the entry door.

While most screen doors are not true security doors, you can lock them and they do provide an additional barrier between you and the person at your door. If the screen is in place, you can even talk to someone without opening the door. If security truly is what you are looking for, we recommend a storm door with decorative grid work constructed of heavy steel in front of the glass and heavy duty hardware and locking systems. This type of door will prevent access even if the glass is broken.

Ultimately, the need for a storm door is one that is based upon your lifestyle. If are looking for energy savings and already have a well-sealed entry door, a storm door is largely unnecessary. However, if added ventilation and some level of added security is what you had in mind, a storm door just might be the right choice for you!