A storm door is vital, especially for homes located in windy or very cold areas. These doors can protect the exterior doors from adverse weather conditions, fading, and damage.
As a matter of fact, during spring, winter, and fall seasons, wind can make drafts to penetrate inside the house, especially if there is no barrier at the front door.
For such a reason, you should install a storm door to keep your house more comfortable.
What IS A Storm Door?
A storm door is a layered door with one interior layer made of foam insulation and two exterior layers made of aluminum material. The storm door can include some glass panels or can have a screen.
Many of the manufactured home storm doors have a locking or latching handle which offers enhanced security.
Other innovative storm doors have features that make life easier, such as hidden closers, safe glass, or retractable screen.
Related: Storm Windows Shopping Tips
5 Benefits Of Storm Doors For Manufactured Homes
Before you buy a storm door, you should know what it implies and the benefits of installing one at your house.
1. Adds Some Curb Appeal To Your Mobile Home
There are so many colors and styles of storm doors that you can choose from.
As a result, you will end up making your entryway creative.
Even though you have a storm door, you can replace it with a new one that can instantly boost your home appearance. You can increase the value of your home by having an appealing door.
2. Improves home security
In case you wish to make your home more secure, then you can install storm doors. Storm doors can offer the kind of protection that you need by acting as a barrier for any intruder who may wish to break into your house.
In this case, you can open the front door without affecting the barrier. As a result, you will be comfortable opening the door even to a stranger.
Additionally, if you buy a storm door made of tempered safety glass and aluminum frame, it will last longer and offer you more protection from people who may wish to break into your house.
Moreover, stainless steel material is considered to be the best in offering security. If possible, make sure you buy a storm door with a lock so that intruders can find it challenging to break into your house.
3. Increases insulation
One of the advantages of installing a storm door is that it adds an extra layer of insulation at the front door.
This is because it is sealed tightly to prevent drafts from entering your house. As a result, they can assist the interior temperature of your home to be comfortable and regulated.
4. Additional protection
Strong winds, heat, hailstones, snow, and rain can be harsh, leading to your front door’s wear and tear. However, if you install a storm door, you will shield your front door from harsh weather conditions.
5. Prevents entry of debris and insects
Sometimes you may wish to open your doors to allow natural light and fresh air in. But you may be wary of insects and stray animals which may take the opportunity to enter into your house.
In this case, you can install a storm door that has screen panels.
Consequently, you can enjoy natural light and proper air circulation in your house as you prevent unwanted insects and animals away.
Twelve Mobile Home Storm Door Shopping Considerations
1. Material
Storm doors are usually made of
- fiberglass
- PVC
- aluminum and
- wood
Wood
Storm doors that are made of wood absorb humidity or moisture with time. Consequently, the frame starts to curve and lose its shape when it is exposed to extreme heat.
Also, Wood is prone to fading. Therefore, you must paint it regularly.
But wooden doors have an aesthetic appeal. Since wood requires regular maintenance, it is less convenient than other materials such as PVC and aluminum.
Aluminum
Aluminum storm doors have varying thickness, which makes them less or more heavy and rigid. One of the advantages of these materials is that it does not rust easily.
Therefore, you will not be required to paint your door regularly. Aluminum doors are also more durable, better looking, and long-lasting.
Some of their drawbacks are that they are harder to clean, have more experience, can become hot during hot weather conditions, and require more maintenance. They are also not strong like the PVC ones.
PVC
With the PVC material, manufacturers can create a door frame that is similar to wood. PVC frames do not rust, crack, or bend.
Therefore, if you buy a storm door made of this material, you will find it long-lasting.
It is also possible to request the manufacturers to shape the door into your desired pattern, enhancing your house’s exterior look. PVC doors are usually molded, meaning that scratches will be less visible.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is the best choice if you wish to have a durable, more robust, and lightweight storm door.
These doors are available in a smooth surface or an embossed wood grain texture.
Some of them have an edge treatment, which makes them look like real wood. Additionally, fiberglass requires little maintenance but can crack when exposed to severe impact.
2. Styles
One of the main things you must consider when buying a storm door is determining if it matches with your exterior door.
Below are some of the styles of storm door which you can consider.
Full-view
A full-view door refers to the one where you will either have a screen panel or glass panel at any given time.
You must change the screen and glass physically and store the panel, which is not used. In case you wish to maximize the visibility and daylight, this is the best style you can choose.
You can be happy with a full-view door if you install the glass in the fall season and screen in the spring season.
Additionally, the full-view door does not have a line crossing in the middle since it could obstruct its visibility if it had.
Ventilating
In case you wish to avoid the hassle of changing screens and glass, you can buy a storm door with a ventilating style.
The ventilating style can keep both the screen and glass in your door.
Under this style, you can get two types of glass. One or both panels may move down or up, revealing the screen portion, allowing you to enjoy ventilation.
Rollscreen
Storm doors with a rollscreen style are the best you can buy since they consist of both the ventilating and full-view styles. In this case, your screen will be self-storing, like the ventilating model.
But you will be able to get full-view door visibility since the screen door will be rolled up on a tensioned dowel on the top side of the door.
Once you pull the top side down, the door screen is attached and revealed.
Rollscreen can be the best choice, especially if you have pets and kids since they can destroy the door screen. Since the screen is at the top part of the door, they cannot reach it.
3. Glass options
Just like screens, your door can be half or full glass. In this case, glass can have a decorative design to make your storm door beautiful.
4. Frame Options
The size of your glass or screen will affect the size of your storm door frame.
In case you decide to choose half size style, some decorative designs can be added to your door frame.
All frames come in many shapes and colors to match the exterior door.
5. Closers
Closers are usually installed inside the storm door, and they add pressure.
Therefore, they prevent the storm door from slamming or blown open by massive windows. You can adjust the strength of your closer.
Closers are color matched with the storm door. Therefore, you should not fear that you can distract the attractiveness of your storm door.
6. Bottom sweep
Bottom sweeps are devices that are added to the storm door to increase your home’s energy efficiency by eliminating drafts.
They have the capability of preventing drafts from getting in your house through underneath your storm doors.
If you add them to your storm door, you can end up saving a lot of money that you could have used to pay energy bills. This is because you will not use your air conditioner and furniture frequently.
7. Kick panel
In case you choose the half-sized style, you can add the kick panel. In this case, kick panels are devices that add strength to the storm door. Moreover, kick panels are rust-resistant.
8. Appearance
Storm door frames are usually available in various colors, which can match with a significant number of exterior colors.
In case you plan to paint your storm door, you should confirm if such an act will ruin your warranty.
Many of the storm doors have attractive colors that can increase the appeal of your home. Others have decorative glass.
Color Scheme
When buying a storm door, you should consider the exterior color scheme.
Once guests come into your home, one of the first things they will notice is your home’s front side.
Therefore, you must make sure that you have the best exterior color scheme. However, you might find it challenging to choose a color since storm doors are available in seven colors.
It is good for you to consider the current exterior decorations of your home. One of the simplest ways to create an incredible look is by matching your storm door with the trim of your sidelights.
For instance, if your current door has a cheerful and bright color, you can add a full view in black or white to the front door frame.
In case you have large bold cranberry pots, you can consider matching the storm door with that color.
It would be best if you also considered the color scheme of some of the items you might occasionally use, such as outdoor furniture.
9. Opening options
Many storm doors are reversible, implying that they can be installed to be open either on the left or right sides.
However, many homeowners prefer buying storm doors that open to the same side as their external doors.
In case you get a storm door labeled as left opening, it means the handle is on the left side when you are facing the door from the outside.
Measuring the size of your door is straightforward and easy. First, you should make sure that you have a mounting surface at least one inch wide and one inch deep with 90 degrees angle.
10. Measurements
Nowadays, door manufacturers and home builders use standard sizing. This makes it easier for homeowners who are shopping for storm doors.
In many cases, storm doors have standard widths of 30, 32, 34, and 36 inches.
Depending on the model that you buy, your door can be hinged on the right or left side. You can also get some styles which can be opened both ways.
Many storm doors are usually pre-hung, which implies that you can attach them to the door jamb you already have.
Before you start shopping for your storm door, you should measure your door’s width and height from the exterior frame for accurate sizing.
Avoid measuring the inner door jamb. Ensure you measure the width from the bottom, middle, and top.
In case you do not find the size of your door in stock, you can request your nearby door manufacturer to make you a customized one.
11. Warranty
Many storm doors come with warranties. However, the warranties vary depending on the manufacturer.
Therefore, before you buy a storm, you should ask various door installation professionals about the best warranty options that you can consider.
In many cases, warranties can assure you that you can replace your door if you find it having issues. Remember, storm door installation can be very costly, and warranty can limit you from paying for unforeseen costs.
12. Design
Apart from the shape and color, you can select the kind of side and glass that you prefer your storm door to have.
Depending on your tests and preferences, you can select a frosted, stained, or plain glass.
You can also choose a door with double glass for better insulation.
Currently, low E-glass is the best option that you can choose. The low E-glass prevents UV rays and infrared from entering into your house.
5 More Design Features That You Should Consider
- If you have a pet in your house, you can consider buying storm doors with in-built pet odors
- Some of the storm doors come with a handle set. However, in many cases, you will be required to buy a handle set separately
- Storm doors mostly come in white and almond colors. But manufacturers can design custom orders using various colors such as sandstone, brick, evergreen, and brown.
- As a homeowner, you can choose storm doors with plain glass panels, double glass, stained glass, and etched glass panels. Some of the doors have operable mini-blinds.
- A significant number of storm doors have a tempered glass, meaning that they cannot shatter into tiny pieces if they break.
3 Storm Door Facts
1. Storm doors spoil the external looks
Some people believe that if they add storm doors into their mobile homes, they can ruin their houses’ precious looks.
But as highlighted above, storm doors come in various shapes and sizes which can meet your desires.
Therefore, you should avoid worrying about storm materials.
2. External weather conditions do not affect storm doors
Many people are wary about the long-term use of storm doors in places that experience adverse weather conditions.
If you live in a place with massive climatic conditions, your doors can wear and tear due to rapid contraction and expansion. This is possible, especially with older versions’ doors.
But with the advancement in technology, you cannot be worried that your door will be destroyed.
Many of the modern storm doors offer the best ventilation regardless of the weather conditions. As a result, external weather conditions will not affect the door.
3. You customize the door
Even if you have a large or small space, you can have the storm door customized according to your needs.
You can also buy a door according to your preferred design or color.
Conclusion
Having a storm door is the best choice, especially if you live in an area with bad weather conditions.
These doors can beautify the exterior of your house. As highlighted above, when shopping for a storm, you should consider things such as
- size
- color
- appearance
- glass option, and
- measurements.
If you consider these factors, you will find it easier to choose the best storm door that can match your needs and preferences.
Also, since it is easier to install a storm door, you can finish the task within a short period. Therefore, you should take this opportunity to enjoy the numerous benefits of installing a storm door at your home.