20 Mar Selecting and Maintaining High-Performance Exterior Doors for Energy Efficiency

Your exterior doors count for a large portion of your home’s energy efficiency. By selecting high-performance exterior doors, you can save as much as 10% to 13% annually on your energy bills. For the average Quad Cities homeowner, that translates to $100 to $500 per year, or more

To ensure your home’s energy efficiency by selecting and maintaining high-performance exterior doors, you need to know what to look for. Pay careful attention to the criteria involved when making your selection; you can decide with confidence. Here’s what to consider when choosing high-performance exterior doors for your home’s energy efficiency.

Know Your Energy Ratings

Before selecting your high-performance exterior doors, you need to understand the energy ratings. Here are the numbers you should focus on for the highest energy efficiency.

• U-Factor: The U-factor measures the rate at which heat escapes your home. The lower the better. The highest performance doors come in with a U-factor around 0.09, and the standard high-performance exterior doors range from 0.17 to 0.35.

• SHGC: The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how much heat passes through any glass panels you have in your door. For our area, the higher SHGC, ranging from 0.35 to 0.45, means passive solar heat warms your home and lowers your utility bills in the winter. If you don’t want glass panels or a window in your door, the SHGC value doesn’t matter. 

• R-Value: The R-value measures thermal resistance, and the number indicates how energy efficient you should expect your exterior door to be. The higher the number, the better. For high-performance exterior doors, you should expect an R-5 value, at least. 

Understanding How Materials Make A Difference in High-Performance Exterior Doors

When discussing high-performance exterior doors, your door’s core makes all the difference. The core is the heart of the thermal performance, which is key to keeping your utility bills in check and not wasting your home’s energy. Here are the top core materials and their energy efficiency:

• Fiberglass: For most Quad Cities homeowners, a high-performing exterior door with a fiberglass core is the top performer. Not only does it resist dents, warping, and corrosion, but the polyurethane core delivers one of the highest R-values (R-5 to R-8), the key measurement for energy efficiency. That’s roughly four times the insulation you’ll get from solid wood.

• Steel: Steel high-performance exterior doors are an excellent option, as long as they have a polyurethane core. The standard home benefits from the insulating properties, similar to fiberglass, with an R-value of R-5 and R-6.  And steel’s security is virtually unmatched. You can upgrade your high-performance exterior doors to heavy-duty steel models if you like, and double your R-values. 

• Vinyl: Vinyl exterior doors are recognized for their superior insulating properties. They are more commonly used for sliding, pocket-, and folding patio exterior doors. 

• Wood: Wood doors fall well below both fiberglass and steel as far as energy efficiency. Even high-performance exterior doors made from wood fall into the mediocre R-Value range of R-2 or R-3. The reason for this is that solid wood contracts and expands with the weather and temperature, which creates gaps for energy to escape. Wood is usually preferred by homeowners for its aesthetic qualities. If you prefer the look of wood, talk to our professionals about engineered or composite wood alternatives. 

Some Additional Factors to Get the Most from Your New Doors

Keep the threshold and frame in mind. Installing your high-performance door in a weak or inferior frame is a wasted investment. When assessing the frame, look for:

• Thermal Breaks in Frames: Steel frames with a layer of insulation that separates the interior and exterior steel components for energy efficiency.
• Composite or Fiberglass Frames: They won’t conduct heat in the same way metal does. 
• Adjustable Thresholds: They allow you to replace weatherstripping inserts regularly to ensure proper sealing.
• Multiple Point Locking System: Your door should maintain a compression seal at three or more points to reduce the air leakage.
• Professional Installation: A door only performs at peak efficiency when it is installed properly. Don’t attempt a DIY unless you have absolute confidence in your ability to do it right.

Maintaining Your High-Performance Exterior Doors’ Energy Efficiency

To keep your high-performance exterior doors’ energy efficiency, it’s important to maintain upkeep of both sealing and structural integrity. Inspect your doors for drafts, light leaks, and condensation seasonally.

• Weatherstripping: Replace your weatherstripping every three years to protect the seal. If you notice cracks or degradation, it’s time to replace.
• Lubricate Your Hardware: A silicone-based or ry lubricant applied to hinges, locks, and latches twice yearly will keep a tight latch and smooth operation.
• Take Care of the Finish: Repaint or refinish your doors’ surfaces every eight to ten years to prevent weather-related damage.

Let The Pros Help You

When you’re in the market for a new door or want to improve your home’s energy efficiency, reach out to your hometown professionals at Seiffert Building Supplies. We have a full selection of top-quality high-performance exterior doors to choose from.

These doors offer an excellent return on investment, as well as resale value. And through regular maintenance, you ensure your energy savings for years to come. Start saving on your energy costs and contact Seiffert Building Supplies today.

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