You should try to blow the doors off your competition. But your weather shouldn’t be able to.
In 2019, extreme weather killed more than 500 people across the country. More than 1,700 people were injured. The most fatal kind of weather event was winter weather, which everyone in Chicago is well-familiar with.
One way you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe is to install exterior doors. They keep your house warm while keeping the elements out.
But not all doors come alike. You need to know how to distinguish amongst them and pick the best exterior doors for the Chicago climate. Here is your guide.
What Material Is Best for Exterior Doors?
You can consider several factors for exterior doors. In addition to protection against the elements, you have to think about aesthetics.
A lot of people are aware of wooden doors. Natural wood is sturdy and beautiful, making it an ideal exterior piece for most homes.
But you have other options as well. If you have an industrial exterior, you can install a steel door.
Steel doors have reinforcements that make them hard to kick down. They can get hot if exposed to sunlight for long periods, so make sure you have some shade.
Aluminum doors are very similar to steel doors. They have insulation and a metallic aesthetic that complements many modern homes. Aluminum is custom-made, so manufacturers can modify the door to match your home.
If you want a door similar to wood, you can pick a fiberglass one. Manufacturers can stain them so they appear like natural wood. But they can be more durable than wooden composites.
Make sure you know how to install and replace your exterior door. You can have the best material in the world, but a faulty installation can compromise your product.
What Kind of Exterior Doors Are Good for Cold Climates?
Chicago is cold. The average high in January is 32 degrees, the freezing point for water. The average low drops below freezing from December to March, with less than 200 hours of sunshine in each of those months.
You need a door that keeps heat from flowing out of your house. You need insulation around the interior side of your door.
Your door should be thick, keeping heat from passing through. Your door should also fit snugly into its frame, with no gaps that allow hot air out.
Solid wood doors are thick when they are first installed. But wood can wear down with time, opening up gaps for heat to escape.
You may be better off with a metal or fiberglass door. Many manufacturers fill them with foam insulation, trapping heat inside. They resist strain, preventing gaps from opening.
What Exterior Doors Are Best for High Winds?
Chicago isn’t called the “Windy City” for nothing. The city has average winds above 10 miles per hour, and they remain persistent year-round.
Steel and glass doors do not rattle in extreme winds. They are firm against their hinges, preventing them from flying open or falling off.
Glass doors do not shatter very often. Most doors have at least two panes of glass, which remain strong against the elements.
If you’re worried that they will shatter, you can install a storm door over your exterior door. This will reduce the impact of winds on your glass.
You can still use a wooden product. But wood is not ideal since it can wear down. Inspect your door after every extreme wind storm and make sure it hasn’t chipped.
What Exterior Doors Are Best for Snow?
Wood is not great for snow. Exposure to moisture can cause wood to rot or swell. If you have a pre-existing wooden product, place a storm door over it for reinforcement.
You can use a fiberglass door for snow, but decorate it with water-resistant materials. Snow can tear finishes and paints off.
Steel and aluminum doors are best against the snow. You can open it against a pile of snow without worrying about it breaking.
The same applies to hail or sleet. Metal will not break down if it receives a direct hit from the elements. Wood and fiberglass can be damaged or fade from continuous contact.
What Doors Are Good for Tornadoes?
Tornadoes don’t happen often, but you should be prepared for one. An F0 tornado produces wind speeds up to 73 mph. That’s enough to topple trees and throw debris around.
Your door needs to withstand high winds and direct hits from debris. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides oversight for tornado doors. Manufacturers must meet a series of tests before their products go on the market.
Inspect your tornado doors before buying them. You should be able to lock and unlock the door with minimal effort. The assembly should not fail at the lock, and it should not allow objects to perforate it.
Tornado doors are available in home improvement stores. But these stores may offer products that do not have testing. Buy your doors from safe room component suppliers, and check that they have passed FEMA testing.
Exterior Door Options for Chicago
With the Chicago climate being so extreme, you need doors that will last for years. Match your door to the exterior of your home.
To resist the cold, install a steel, aluminum, or fiberglass door. For high winds, you can install a steel or glass door.
Add a storm door to reinforce your metal product against the snow. Look carefully at tornado-resistant doors. Make sure the product you choose receives FEMA testing.
Go to the experts on exterior doors in Chicago. Forde Windows and Remodeling has 30 years of experience in door installation and remodeling. Contact us today.