When selecting doors for energy efficiency, it’s important to first consider their energy-performance ratings in relation to the local climate and home’s design. This will help narrow the selection. New exterior doors often fit and insulate better than older types. If there are older doors in the home, replacing them might be a good investment for the homeowner, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs. If your client is building a new home, they might consider buying the most energy-efficient doors possible.
Glass or patio doors, especially sliding glass doors, lose heat much faster than other types of doors because glass is a very poor insulator. Most modern glass doors with metal frames have a thermal break, which is a plastic insulator between inner and outer parts of the frame. Models with several layers of glass, low-emissivity coatings and/or low-conductivity gases between the glass panes are a good investment, especially in extreme climates. Over the long run, the additional cost is paid back many times over in energy savings. When buying or replacing patio doors, keep in mind that swinging doors offer a much tighter seal than sliding types.
When you buy a door, it will probably be a pre-hung frame. Pre-hung doors usually come with wood or steel frames. The existing door frame will need to be removed from the rough opening before you install a pre-hung door. The door frame must be as square as possible, so that the door seals tightly to the jamb and swings properly. Before adding the interior trim, expanding foam caulking should be applied to seal the new door frame to the rough opening and threshold. This will help prevent air from getting around the door seals and into the house. Careful application is needed, especially with a wood frame, to avoid having the foam force the frame out of square. If needed, weatherstripping might be added. The homeowner should check the weatherstripping on the exterior doors annually to see if it needs replacement.
Storm doors are typically made from wood, aluminium and plastics such as vinyl (PVC) and fiberglass. There are three basic types of storm doors: Full-View, Retractable Screen, and Ventilating. Full-View storm doors typically include a full glass panel and an interchangeable full screen. Retractable Screen storm doors feature a screen that is rolled up into the frame of the storm door when not in use. Ventilating storm doors typically include a full or half screen that is always in position on the storm door. Wood was the original material from which storm doors were made. While wooden screen doors can be visually the most appealing, the wood itself requires painting or some other form of coating to protect it from the weather. Wooden screen doors less than one inch thick are used primarily as screen doors with no glass installed. Using wood thicker than one inch allows the storm door frame to accommodate glass panels. The door also becomes more rigid and durable as the thickness increases.
Replacement windows are designed for a variety of installation situations and techniques. In a full-frame installation, trim around the old window (interior and/or exterior) is removed and the old window frame is removed completely. The new replacement window is secured to the studs surrounding the window opening, and the trim is replaced. Insert installations are sometimes used when replacing older wood windows with frames that are in good condition. In this case, the new replacement window is installed within the existing frame. This installation technique is simpler than a full-frame installation, but decreases the size of the window opening due to the nesting of the frames. Another technique involves replacing the window sashes only, and re-using the existing frame.
A window is a transparent or a translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like a float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which prevent them from collapsing in. Many glazed windows may be opened, to allow ventilation, or closed, to exclude inclement weather.
Low-E is a film that is several layers of metal poured microscopically thin over the surface of newly poured glass. This heat reflective film is transparent but can be darker or lighter depending on the type and manufacturer. This data is rated in Visible Light Transmission. Darker glass with heavier Low – E will have less VT. The NFRC rates most energy star rated window manufacturers.
The Barrie Home Inspector offer Free thermal imaging of your home which is included with your home inspection. Thermal Imaging will find any air or moisture leaking around your windows.
