Frustrated with cold drafts and higher than normal heating bills? New energy efficient doors may be the solution.
Here are some important points to consider when purchasing energy-efficient doors.
Check the R-Value
The amount of energy you waste with insufficiently insulated doors in your home will surprise you. Doors should feature an abundance of thermal reflection ability, allowing the temperature inside your home to remain consistent, taking less energy to maintain a certain degree setting.
You can determine a door’s energy efficiency by its reflectivity value, or R-Value. This tells you how much energy the door reflects. Ratings range from 1 to 9, with 1 being the least reflective. The more energy reflected the more energy is kept inside the home, making a door with a 9 rating the most energy-efficient. It is not advisable to select a door with an R-Value below 5.
The Comforts of Home
Simply put, energy-efficient doors can help to keep your home environment more comfortable by maintaining a desirable climate. No one enjoys cold drafts when they’re cuddled up on a winter night trying to watch their favorite TV show or fighting hot and humid air when seeking to stay cool during the summertime. Humidity can also be damaging to certain items.
Speaking of protecting your home, did you know the sun can cause additional damage to furniture and flooring over time? If you’re looking to replace a door that faces the sun, choose an energy-efficient variety with a low-emissivity, which reduces UV damage from sunlight.
Boost Property Value
More and more, home buyers care about energy efficiency and want to see such features in properties they are considering for future purchases. By installing energy-efficient doors in your property, you’re creating an attractive selling point should the day come when you decide to place your home on the market.
Is it Time for a New Door?
How do you know if it’s time to retire your door in favor of a new, energy-efficient model? Here are some pointers…
- Structural issues. If you notice more light than normal coming from beneath your doors or if it has started shrinking from the bottom, it’s time. Shrinking is usually caused by weather causing decomposition.
- Unwelcome pests. If you have new, unwelcome pests in your home, they may be sneaking in from holes or cracks in or around your doors. Some pests, like termites, also feed on building materials.
- It looks tired. The style and condition of your front door play a significant role in your home’s curb appeal. It may be time for a more modern upgrade.
- Operating problems. Is it increasingly difficult to open or close your door? The door has wear or a warp and needs replacing.
Ready to learn more about the energy-efficient door options available to you? Visit the showroom at DeLuxe Window & Door in West Lawn, PA, Berks County, where you can customize the door of your dreams and view it digitally before your order is finalized. Learn more by calling 610-678-2654.
