Doors

Doors are necessary for access to a building or home, but they contribute to heat loss or heat gain when opened and closed. Doors usually don't need to be replaced unless they are damaged, or do not make a tight "seal" when closed. Before deciding to replace a door, you should first examine the weatherstripping . If you replace the weatherstripping and the door still does not make a tight "seal" all the way around the jamb, then the door is probably warped or damaged and will need to be replaced.

Newer styles of metal or fiberglass doors are good choices when replacement is required. Though these doors are more expensive, they are more durable and provide better insulation than a wooden door. The R-value for most doors with steel or fiberglass shells is between 5 to 6. A 1+ inch thick door of these materials provides more than 5 times the insulating value of a solid wood door.

Sliding glass doors lose heat eight times faster than other types of doors. The nature of the door's design makes stopping air leaks very difficult. Consider French doors or patio doors when replacing sliding glass doors. They have a much tighter seal and are generally more efficient.

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