Weather the Storm with the Right Storm Door

Storm doors serve a very utilitarian purpose: to protect the entry to a home from the elements – rain, snow, wind, and even sun – and to allow for ventilation. Storm doors are most often installed at the front entrance of a home, though they are also often installed at a back door and at the door that goes from the garage to inside the house. In spite of their practical function, storm doors come in a number of types and styles, which makes it easy to find one that both suits a homeowner’s needs while also complementing the appearance of the exterior of the home.

Storm Door Types

In general, three main types of storm door exist:

1. Doors with a full panel of glass and an accompanying full-screen panel. The glass panel allows for maximum visibility and passage of light, while the screen allows for maximum air flow. The two panels are interchangeable, depending on a homeowner’s preference or season of the year. When one panel is being used, the other panel is usually stored in a garage or basement.

2. Doors with panels that move up and down, where one panel is glass and the other is screen. This type of door still provides both visibility and ventilation, but separate storage of one panel or the other is not necessary, as both the glass and screen are incorporated into the door design.

3. Doors with a screen that rolls (that is, retracts) horizontally or vertically into a separate housing unit at the side or top of the door. This type of door does not contain glass but instead allows for ventilation where it’s wanted, and retractable screen doors work for all different types of doors – single, French, sliding, etc.

Storm Door Styles

Storm doors are available in different materials, styles, and colors. In terms of materials, storm doors can be made of wood, aluminum, or PVC/fiberglass and, depending on the thickness, provide varying degrees of strength and rigidity. Wood, while attractive, requires regular upkeep and special sizing to accommodate glass. Aluminum and PVC/fiberglass both resist corrosion, and advances in technology make the latter more durable. Screen metal is another consideration. When deciding on the screen type, keep in mind how much corrosion the screen may be subject to, as well as the level of resistance to holes and tears you will need.

The color of your storm door can be closely matched to the color of a front door, or custom-ordered to match. Typical colors are: white, black, beige/almond, brown, green, and cranberry. You can also your door with handles that matches your home’s other décor.

The glass in the door can be beveled for a decorative touch, and also the Low-E type to provide better insulation. If security is a concern, you can purchase a storm door with protective grilles (grates), specially laminated security glass, and multiple locks. Some storm doors even come with an optional pet door built in for convenience.

The door stop, or closer, lets you control how far you want your storm door to open. The pneumatic type of closer keeps the door from opening too fast and also from slamming shut. All storm doors come with a washer that slides along the closer mechanism so you can prop the door open as needed.

Measuring properly for a storm door is important, especially if the door is custom-made. Many homeowners can handle this step themselves, but a professional contractor is a better option all around. A pro will have experience with this type of project, and can handle every step from helping you select the best door for your home, to measuring for the right size, to installing the door and making sure every feature works the way it should.

Sovereign Construction Services provides all types of home renovation and contracting services. Owner Steve Rush is available for a consultation on the different types of storm doors available and to make a recommendation on a door that will work well for your home. Call Sovereign Construction today at 610-639-2986.