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Energy Efficient Doors Buying Guide
Thompson Creek Energy Efficient Exterior Doors & More!
New, high-quality doors give your home a real lift. Most newer doors are more secure than older doors, and many modern doors block noise, too. The very best doors on the market are energy efficient, UV-resistant and long lasting. In other words, they’re great investments.
Energy-efficient doors are particularly desirable because they help to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Enhanced with durable weather-stripping, energy-efficient doors eliminate drafts, so you stay snug — no matter how hard the wind blows. Because they reduce air flow and heat loss, energy-efficient doors often reduce consumers’ utility bills.
Thompson Creek doors are durable, eco-friendly and made to last. When you buy doors from Thompson Creek rather than a big box store, you get a much higher quality product. Even better, Thompson Creek doors are made to measure and coordinate perfectly with your home. They come in a range of beautiful colors and styles to suit any architectural style.
We’ll explore energy-efficient doors in detail in this guide. But first, we’ll begin with a more in-depth definition of what they are, and then we’ll talk about what to look for in an energy-efficient door. After that, we’ll drill down into benefits, scrutinize materials and reveal how door installation can affect energy efficiency.
What are Energy Efficient Doors?
Many consumers skip straight to windows when they want to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. For decades, double or triple glazing has been the go-to choice for draft elimination and heat retention. But what about doors? Do doors play a role in a home’s energy efficiency, too?
In short, yes, they do. When doors aren’t sealed properly — or even worse, when there are visible gaps in doors — they let warm air out and cold air in. Your air conditioning has to work harder in the summer and your heating bills increase in the winter. According to energy experts, each badly-fitting door in your home is the equivalent of a six-inch hole in the wall.
Energy-efficient doors keep air flow to a minimum, and they’re insulated to help maintain a steady temperature in your home. Some energy-efficient doors include double-glazed panels to let the light in, while others have a solid design. ENERGY STAR-rated metal doors are particularly efficient and durable.
What Makes a Door Energy Efficient?
Let’s dive deeper to find out what makes a door energy efficient. First of all, energy-efficient doors incorporate dense insulation to reduce heat loss and to keep out the cold. If they include glass panels, those panels are double-glazed.
Many exterior doors are made of wood, but wood expands and contracts, potentially creating gaps. For that reason, energy efficient doors are generally made of vinyl f, fiberglass or steel.
Benefits of Energy Efficient Doors:
Energy-efficient doors boost your home’s curb appeal and could help you save money. Here are six of the best reasons to make energy efficiency a must-have.
Eco-friendly:
Energy-efficient doors help to reduce the amount of electricity or gas you consume to heat and cool your home. The less electricity or gas you use, the lower your carbon footprint. Energy-efficient doors also last a long time, so they don’t need to be replaced as often. Ultimately, long-lasting products reduce manufacturing and shipping emissions, which help protect the environment.
Lowers Energy Bills:
Energy-efficient doors are durable, fit perfectly and are well insulated, which helps prevent drafts and keep cool air inside your home when it’s hot outside. HVAC systems and radiators that don’t have to work as hard don’t consume as much energy, so your utility bills could go down.
Blocks UV Rays:
Doors made with UV-blocking materials like Low E glass last longer when they’re exposed to the weather. When doors are constructed with UV-blocking materials, they also function better than similar doors made from regular vinyl or metal. Your investment lasts longer and stays looking sharp.
Helps Reduce Outdoor Noise:
Truly “green” doors also help to reduce noise. This attractive quality is often a side effect of the insulation used to make the door more efficient. Insulation doesn’t just keep warm air in — or out — it also helps to dampen noise, and a less noisy home is a more peaceful home.
Long-Lasting:
High-quality investments endure, and energy-efficient doors are no exception. The very best energy efficient doors are made of insulated metal, which stands up to a lot of everyday wear and tear. Durable UV-resistant finishes emulate paint or wood grain for a traditional look, and add a long-lasting final touch.
Increases Property Value:
All by themselves, energy-efficient steel doors generate a 70.3% return on investment according to the 2021 Cost vs. Value Report. Factoring in curb appeal, you could see a significant increase in your home’s value after you install new doors. That’s a gratifying fact, even if you don’t plan to sell your home in the near future.
What Is the Best Material for an Energy Efficient Exterior Door?
The best energy-efficient doors are made of fiberglass or steel. But which material is most durable? Let’s explore three options to see how they stack up:
Signet Fiberglass:
If you love the look of natural wood, Signet fiberglass might be the material for you. These fiberglass doors look like the real deal, but won’t warp, expand or contract like traditional wood. This means they stay airtight and stable over time. Robust hinges and strike stiles, plus careful dovetailing make Signet fiberglass doors a solid choice.
Fiberglass is a cost-efficient material, which is ideal if you have a lot of doors to replace. Lightweight and easy to work with, fiberglass is an excellent choice for doors up to eight feet high.
Embarq Fiberglass:
Beautiful and durable, Embarq fiberglass doors have dual perimeter seals and a bottom sweep to improve energy efficiency. They’re also slightly thicker than regular fiberglass doors, making them ideal for main entryways. Multiple tests have found that doors made with Embarq fiberglass are among the most energy efficient on the market.
Like Signet fiberglass, Embarq fiberglass is cost-efficient and ideal for all kinds of exterior doors. It’s lighter than steel — yet strong — so bigger doors remain easy to open and close.
20-Gauge Steel:
Undoubtedly the strongest choice for energy efficient exterior doors, 20-gauge steel stands the test of time and stays looking great. It won’t crack or warp — even in extreme conditions — and it’s easy to refinish. Made of one continuous piece of steel, these doors are extremely secure as well as eco-friendly.
Steel doors are a significant investment, but they’re one of the most value-enhancing modifications you can make to your property. When they’re properly designed and installed, 20-gauge steel doors last a lifetime.
Thompson Creek Door Finishes & Colors:
Thompson Creek energy-efficient doors come in a wide range of different entry door colors and finishes. You can opt for a natural wood-grain look or a timeless painted finish. Cherry and mahogany stain options include toffee, American cherry, chestnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, hazelnut and coffee bean. Oak stain options include honey wheat, caramel, truffle, ginger, almond, pecan and espresso.
Paint colors in the off-white to neutral range include snow mist, café cream, chateau, sandpiper beige, sandstone, sterling gray and clay. Brighter earth tone color options include Geneva blue, forest green, mountain berry, rustic bronze, Tudor brown, coal black, primrose yellow, Enzian blue and Vallis red. If you’re looking for something truly unique, opt for a hand-applied glazed finish.
Thompson Creek Doors Hardware:
Hardware is a beautiful and important part of any door, and Thompson Creek customers can choose from several architectural options. Exterior Emtek and Emtek Mortise styles include Melrose, Imperial, Ribbon & Reed, Orleans, Marietta, round knob, Hanover lever, Craftsman, Memphis, Manhattan and Albany.
Interior Emtek and Emtek Mortise options include egg, cortina, Turino, round knob, Hanover lever, oval beaded egg, hammered lever, Coventry lever, square knob and cortina lever.
For a vintage look, choose from our Addison, Camelot or Plymouth handle options. Traditional interior handle styles include Georgian, accent, flair and Addison. Together, they make a simple, elegant statement. Each handle style comes in a range of finishes, including bright brass, satin nickel, oil rubbed bronze and black.
We also offer a range of Schlage electronic deadbolts, Trilennium multi-point handles and maximum security interior thumbturn deadbolts. Other accessories include passage latches, solid brass door knockers, peep sites, decorative hinges, mail slots and kick plates.
Does Door Installation Matter for Energy Efficiency?
The best door on the market won’t perform optimally unless it’s installed properly. Poorly installed or improperly air sealed doors aren’t always airtight, rendering them very inefficient. Insulated vinyl, fiberglass or steel doors must fit snugly and operate smoothly to live up to their ENERGY STAR ratings.
Professionally installed energy-efficient doors keep your home comfortable because they reduce drafts and — depending on the season — prevent heat loss or keep cool air in.
Prehung vs. Slab Door
Two types of energy-efficient doors are available on the marketplace: slab, and prehung. Slab doors are standalone doors without frames, which are installed inside your existing door frames. Prehung doors are slab doors which are already attached to a three-sided door frame via hinges.
Slab doors seem simpler in principle: your old door comes out and the new door goes in. This may be true, but they’re inevitably less energy efficient than prehung doors. Because they’re pre-engineered to fit tightly, prehung doors block air more effectively. Pre-hung doors also come with pre-drilled holes and mounting spots for door handles, strike plates and other accessories.
Thompson Creek Energy Efficient Doors Warranty:
All Thompson Creek products come with industry-leading guarantees, and Thompson Creek energy-efficient doors are no exception. Thompson Creek doors exceed the 2021 ENERGY STAR criteria and they include a warranty up to 50-years — and our installers are factory certified to ensure that the warranty is valid.
Thompson Creek is totally accountable to our customer and if your doors need servicing after installation, we return and maintain or repair them. We’re fully and proudly accountable to all of our customers.
How to Contact Thompson Creek?
Robust and reliable, Thompson Creek energy-efficient doors are a sound investment. We serve most of Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., Greater Richmond and Hampton Roads. If you live in any of these areas and you want to contact us, find your nearest location online, get in touch via web chat or call (888) 696-7105 to speak to a friendly representative.
Get a Free Door Replacement Quote:
No-obligation door replacement quotes are absolutely free at Thompson Creek. Our experienced staff members can guide you through the design process and can provide advice about construction materials, finishes and hardware options. If you’d like to know more about Thompson Creek’s range of energy-efficient products and get a personalized estimate, speak to us today.
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