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By Tobias Roberts
Rise Writer
Aug 1, 2020
While most of us probably equate cold and drafty homes with old windows or inadequate insulation, we may not realize that doors may be to blame. The doors in our homes play an essential part in maintaining (or neglecting) the energy efficiency of our homes. According to the California Energy Commission, doors are responsible for up to 11 percent of all air leaks in a home, despite representing a relatively small amount of the total wall space. Even if a door is exceptionally well-sealed, heat transfer is bound to be a problem due to the relatively low insulation in doors and door frames.
Investing in the best energy-efficient doors is a cost-effective way to increase the energy efficiency of your home. It also improves the aesthetics of your home facade. And if you aspire to meet the standards of Passive House, energy-efficient doors are a must.
Caulking. Photo Credit: Hydro Quebec
Before tearing out every door in your home and installing one of the most energy-efficient options on the market, it's worth investing in a weatherproofing strategy. Weatherproofing for your door is an inexpensive option that is also an immediate energy efficiency upgrade. To weatherproof the doors in your home, consider using weather stripping around your door frame. Air leaks tend to occur wherever two different construction materials meet. Simple caulking (formaldehyde-free, if possible) can be applied where the door frame meets your interior and exterior walls to prevent air leaks.
You can replace your door sweep, which is designed to seal a small gap between the bottom of the door and the threshold of your floor. Wood options for a door sweep can blend in with your existing door. Making a door snake or a weighted fabric tube placed at the bottom of your door can also help keep out drafts.
These weatherproofing strategies can certainly help reduce your doors' energy loss; however, a new door is worth considering.
According to the United States Department of Energy, new exterior doors fit and insulate better than older doors. Replacing older doors in your home often results in a lower heating and cooling bill. If you're building a new home, you should consider buying the most energy-efficient doors possible.
Photo Credit: ENERGY STAR
Energy-efficient doors come in various styles and designs, though all will share specific characteristics and performance qualities. When searching, consider some of the following features:
Different materials for both doors and door frames offer both advantages and disadvantages. Wood doors and door frames are the most natural option and usually have the lowest embodied energy footprint. Solid wood doors also have a higher R-Value than uninsulated metal and fiberglass doors, offering better insulation capabilities. However, these types of doors and door frames are prone to warping or drying out over time. It can lead to cracks and gaps that let drafts into your home and thus compromise your house's thermal performance.
Photo Credit: Winsome Construction
Solid wood doors also have a higher R-Value than uninsulated metal and fiberglass doors, offering better insulation capabilities. However, these types of doors and door frames are prone to warping or drying out over time. It can lead to cracks and gaps that let drafts into your home and thus compromise your house's thermal performance.
Fiberglass and steel doors, on the other hand, tend to have a higher embodied energy footprint than wood but can be manufactured to limit the possibility of drafts occurring. Fiberglass is durable and lightweight, thus minimizing the door's likelihood of pulling away from the frame and causing drafts to occur. Similarly, because of steel's strength, doors manufactured from this material can be made hollow to be filled with some insulation material subsequently. In terms of insulation values, a solid wood door that is 1 3/4" thick is expected to have an R-value of 2.17. A 1.5" to 2" metal door insulated with polystyrene insulation is calculated to have an R-value of anywhere between 6 and 7.
Many homeowners find that installing glass inserts to particular doors in their home can enhance the door's beauty while also increasing the amount of natural light. However, single-pane glass inserts can significantly reduce the energy efficiency of your door, even if it is well-sealed and protected against drafts. An insulated metal door might have an impressive R-value of 7. Single pane glass inserts that are about one-fourth inch thick would have an expected R-value of around .90. It dramatically reduces the thermal performance of the door.
Photo Credit: Constructive Builders
If you want a door that allows for natural lighting, opt for double-pane (or triple-pane) inserts that are argon-filled. Argon-filled inserts can at least double the insulation properties. Prioritizing Low-E glass can also improve the performance of the door. This type of glass improves the insulating properties of windows in the home through a coating that can reflect infrared and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This will keep the hot sunlight from entering your home during the summer while keeping the heated air inside your home during the winter.
Solid wood doors have no extra insulation on the inside, as they are made from solid pieces of wood. While thicker doors offer a unique aesthetic coupled with decent insulation capabilities, this door option is often beyond most homeowners' budgets. Hollow-core doors made from fiberglass, steel, or composite wood veneer, are usually much less expensive. However, due to their lightweight and thin nature, these types of doors would offer virtually no insulation value if they were left hollow. One of the best materials to fill the sizeable hollow space within the door is insulating foam, which increases the door's R-value without adding significant weight.
Solid core doors are made with wood veneers glued over a solid core of composite or engineered wood. These doors are usually less expensive than solid wood options, though they offer similar insulation properties. Because they are made from manufactured wood, they are less prone to shrinkage and warping from exposure to the elements. Be sure to look for solid core doors that don't rely on formaldehyde as a bonding adhesive.
Some of the most modern doors on the market come with improved door frames incorporating magnetic strips around the door frame. Pieces of metal in the door adhere to that strip, creating a tighter seal and further reducing the possibility of drafts and leaks.
While there are hundreds of companies producing top quality doors that prioritize energy efficiency considerations, some of the top manufacturers recognized by the ENERGY STAR certified include:
Therma Tru Doors. Photo Credit: Therma Tru
Therma Tru Doors manufactures a wide range of energy-efficient door styles that contain a polyurethane foam core, energy-efficient glass, and weather stripping components. The weatherstripping components help to create a tighter seal and reduce air leakage around the edges.
Fiberglass Doors. Photo Credit: ProVia
ProVia Fiberglass Doors specializes in fiberglass doors that are 2.5 "thick to allow for extra insulation. Their doors also include a dual perimeter seal, which seals on the door and frame to make the door more energy efficient.
Photo Credit: Global Windows and Doors
Global Windows and Doors offers a wide range of doors made from wood, fiberglass, steel, and other materials. Their line of steel doors are made from finger-jointed knot-free pine stiles and rails for strength and durability with 24 gauge steel and HCFC free polyurethane foam insulation.
Photo Credit: Groke Doors
Groke Aluminum Doors is a German manufacturer of aluminum doors, makes custom entry doors that qualify as Passive House doors. Their doors are super insulated and tightly sealed, with U-Factor ranging 0.13 to 0.257. Their U.S.-based office is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Hammer & Hand Passive House Doors. Photo Credit: Hammer & Hand
Hammer & Hand Doors are made in Portland, Oregon. Hammer & Hand custom manufactures wood doors that are built to the Passive House standard.
It doesn't matter your choice of manufacturers. It's important to remember that the doors in your home can significantly impact your home's comfort and energy efficiency - so don't forget about them!
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute a product endorsement however Rise does reserve the right to recommend relevant products based on the articles content to provide a more comprehensive experience for the reader.
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Last Modified: 2021-05-31T14:07:25+0000
Article by:
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
An airtight door and frame is a door and frame assembly that is designed to prevent the passage of air through the gaps around the edges of the door. These doors and frames are used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, laboratories, and manufacturing facilities, where it is important to maintain a controlled environment.
Air tight doors are typically made of metal or wood, and the frame is usually constructed from metal or a high-strength composite material. The door and frame must fit together perfectly to create an airtight seal. Special gaskets or seals may be used to further enhance the airtightness of the door.
An airtight door and frame can be opened and closed manually, or it may be equipped with an automatic operator such as a hydraulic closer or an electric motor. These doors may also have a viewing window or other means of viewing the space on the other side of the door. In some cases, an airtight door may have a ventilation system built into it to allow air to flow in and out of the space while still maintaining an airtight seal.
We all know how much air leaks can affect our homes and businesses. They can lead to higher energy bills and make it harder to keep our buildings comfortable. But what can we do to prevent air leaks? The answer is simple: get an air tight door and frame!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what an air tight door and frame is, why you need one, and how you can benefit from having one. We’ll also cover what to look for when buying an air tight door and frame, features of air tight doors and frames, steps to installing an air tight door and frame, troubleshooting common problems, and tips for maintaining an air tight door and frame. Let’s get started!
Introduction to Air Tight Doors and Frames
An air tight door and frame is designed to prevent air leakage from entering and exiting your home or business. This type of door and frame is designed to be more energy efficient and can help keep your building comfortable year-round. Air tight doors and frames are usually made from high-quality materials like wood, metal, or vinyl.
The air tight door and frame is made up of two parts: the door and the frame. The door is the part that swings open and closed and is usually made from a durable material like wood, metal, or vinyl. The frame is the part that attaches the door to the wall and is usually made from wood, metal, or vinyl as well.
Why You Need an Air Tight Door and Frame
The most obvious reason why you need an air tight door and frame is to prevent air leakage. Air tight doors and frames are designed to block air from entering or exiting your home or business. This helps keep your building more energy efficient and comfortable year-round.
Another reason why you need an air tight door and frame is to improve the security of your home or business. Air tight doors and frames are much more secure than regular doors and frames and can help keep your belongings safe and secure.
Finally, air tight doors and frames can help reduce noise pollution in your home or business. Air tight doors and frames are designed to block out noise from the outside, which can help create a more peaceful environment in your home or business.
What to Look for When Buying an Air Tight Door and Frame
When buying an air tight door and frame, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure the door is made from a durable material like wood, metal, or vinyl. You’ll also want to make sure the door is properly sealed and insulated to prevent air leakage.
Next, you’ll want to make sure the frame is also made from a durable material like wood, metal, or vinyl. You’ll also want to make sure the frame is properly sealed and insulated to prevent air leakage.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the door and frame are properly installed and sealed. This will help ensure that your air tight door and frame are working properly and preventing air leakage.
Features of Air Tight Doors and Frames
Air tight doors and frames have a few key features that make them an effective way to prevent air leakage. First, they are designed to be more energy efficient by blocking air from entering or exiting your home or business. Second, they are designed to be more secure by blocking out noise from the outside. Third, they are designed to be more durable by using high-quality materials like wood, metal, or vinyl. Finally, they are designed to be easy to install and maintain.
Benefits of Air Tight Doors and Frames
There are a few key benefits to using air tight doors and frames in your home or business. First, they can help reduce energy costs by blocking air from entering or exiting your home or business. Second, they can help improve the security of your home or business by blocking noise from the outside. Third, they can help make your home or business more comfortable by keeping it at a consistent temperature. Finally, they can help reduce maintenance costs by being easy to install and maintain.
Steps to Installing an Air Tight Door and Frame
Installing an air tight door and frame is relatively easy and can be done in a few simple steps. First, you’ll need to measure the opening for the door and frame. Next, you’ll need to choose a door and frame that will fit the opening. Finally, you’ll need to install the door and frame.
When installing the door and frame, you’ll need to make sure they are properly sealed and insulated to prevent air leakage. You’ll also need to make sure the door and frame are properly aligned and secured to the wall. Once the door and frame are installed, you’ll need to test them to make sure they are working properly.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Air Tight Doors and Frames
If you’re having trouble with your air tight door and frame, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue. First, you’ll want to make sure the door and frame are properly sealed and insulated. If they are not, you may need to re-seal or re-insulate them.
If the door and frame are properly sealed and insulated, you’ll want to make sure they are properly aligned and secured to the wall. If they are not, you may need to adjust them to ensure a proper fit.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the door and frame are working properly. If they are not, you may need to adjust the hinges or replace the door or frame.
Tips for Maintaining an Air Tight Door and Frame
Maintaining an air tight door and frame is relatively easy and can be done with a few simple steps. First, you’ll want to make sure the door and frame are properly sealed and insulated. This will help prevent air leakage and ensure your door and frame are working properly.
Next, you’ll want to make sure the door and frame are properly aligned and secured to the wall. This will help ensure a proper fit and help prevent air leakage.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure the door and frame are regularly inspected and maintained. This will help ensure your door and frame are working properly and help prevent air leakage.
Popular Air Tight Door and Frame Brands
When it comes to air tight doors and frames, there are a few popular brands you can choose from. Some of the most popular brands include Andersen, Reliabilt, Pella, and Jeld-Wen. Each of these brands offers a variety of air tight doors and frames that are designed to be durable, energy efficient, and easy to install and maintain.
Conclusion
Air tight doors and frames are an effective way to prevent air leakage and improve the energy efficiency of your home or business. They are designed to be more durable, secure, and energy efficient, and can help reduce energy costs and make your home or business more comfortable. When shopping for an air tight door and frame, make sure to look for one that is made from high-quality materials and is properly sealed and insulated. Finally, make sure to regularly inspect and maintain your air tight door and frame to ensure it is working properly and preventing air leakage.
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