Find out what type of door is energy efficient for homes in your area!
For high-velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ) like Miami, homeowners may be wondering what type of door is energy-efficient and strong enough to withstand severe storms. They need to install exterior doors that save money AND protect their property from potential damage.
Impact doors withstand turbulent weather, water damage, and heavy impact from flying debris. But in addition to that, impact doors are also incredibly energy-efficient and can significantly reduce monthly energy bills.
Energy bills can increase ridiculously if you require constant heating and cooling to maintain temperate conditions in your home or business. Miami homeowners looking to cut down on their energy costs should seek entry door options that are more energy efficient.
Which Factors Make Impact Doors Energy-Efficient?
1) The Framing Material
The door frame forms the foundation of any door, be it sliding entry doors or French patio doors. Impact doors come in many designs offering a great degree of versatility in the choice of framing material. The material used matters because it affects the door’s ability to retain or keep heat away.
Out of the commonly used materials, wood, vinyl, and fiberglass are the most energy-efficient options. They have high insulative properties and can therefore reduce heat influx. Wood, however, attracts more maintenance costs because of its propensity to rot and the need for constant care and, therefore, is not a popular choice.
Aluminum, on the other hand, is quite popular in impact door framing because of its high structural strength. However, like most metals, it has a high heat transfer coefficient and, therefore, is less energy efficient.
2) Glass Enhancements
Glass is an important component in impact door construction. It provides an airy feel and also improves the visual appeal of any property.
Impact doors are constructed using special glass that can withstand high-impact forces without sustaining damage. That level of toughness is achieved through glazing, a glass-making process that involves bonding many layers of glass together with plastic interlayers. In addition to damage resistance, glazing reduces heat transfer between the internal and external environments.
Reduced heat transfer consequently reduces the need for continuous heating and cooling as indoor heat will not be lost during the cold months, and outside heat won’t be transferred to the inside during summer.
Impact doors can also be constructed using Low Emissivity (Low-E) glass. The low-E glass features a thin metallic film coating which minimizes the amount of infrared and ultraviolet light that comes through the door’s glass, without affecting the amount of light that enters your home or property.
In addition to UV rays, the coating reflects heat outside during summer and also can be used in the door's interior panel to reflect heat indoors during winter offering more energy efficiency and reduced energy costs.
3) Proper Installation
Impact doors are only installed by professionals due to their nuanced nature and to ensure that they're properly sealed. If sealed poorly, doors can allow air leakage, reducing their energy efficiency. Standard procedures like flashing and caulking might appear simple, yet, if not done well, they can significantly increase your air conditioning and heating costs.
Additional Benefits of Impact Doors
Besides providing state-of-the-art protection and high energy performance, impact doors provide more benefits to property owners in Miami:
1) Reduced Insurance Costs
Impact doors reduce the risk of property damage in hurricanes and tropical storms that are simply a norm in Miami and neighboring areas.
Owing to the reduced risk factor, many insurance companies offer discounted insurance premiums on properties that feature impact doors and windows.
2) Noise Reduction
A home is meant to provide a calm and quiet environment to allow its occupants to relax after a long day of work.
Due to the multiple layers used in impact glass construction, impact doors can effectively bar the noise from busy streets or, even noisy neighbors.
3) Increased Property Value
Impact doors have a better curb appeal because of their design and materials. Whether you’re choosing doors for new properties or upgrading an already existing property, installing impact doors will dramatically increase the property’s value allowing you to charge more rent.
Similarly, property owners may increase their storefront’s aesthetic appeal and attract more customers by switching to impact doors.
4) Reduced Long-Term Costs
Naturally, exterior doors are usually in constant interaction with different weather elements. That makes them more susceptible to wear, which leads to increased maintenance costs and the need for frequent replacements.
Impact doors protect property owners from such costs since they are built to withstand extreme weather elements and high-impact forces. More so, many installers offer a lifetime guarantee on impact doors, further reducing your long-term costs.
5) UV Damage Protection
UV rays are notorious for their damaging property on furniture, walls, floors, and other interior fixtures over time. Impact glass enhancements like tint and Low-E can block up to 99% of UV rays, protecting the interior assets in your home.
Contact Alco Windows and Doors Today for all Your Impact Door Needs
Impact doors are designed to be energy efficient and this makes them ideal choices for any new construction or renovation needs.
At Alco Windows and Doors, we specialize in impact door and glass installation services throughout South Florida. We leverage our team's experience to provide high-quality and professionally installed impact doors and glass.
Want to know what type of door is energy efficient? Take time to check out our free guide on how to get started with impact doors.
You can also contact us today for a free consultation about impact doors and windows. We can't wait to hear from you!
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