Aluminum doors can help lower your energy bills when they close the gaps that let heated and cooled air escape. If your utility costs keep climbing and the thermostat does not seem to explain it, worn or poorly sealed exterior doors may be the reason.
In winter, gaps and cracks around a door let cold air in and warm air out. In summer the opposite happens: hot air works its way inside and the air you paid to cool leaks out. Turning up the heat or the AC raises the bill without fixing the source of the problem.
How Aluminum Doors Cut Air Leakage
Most of the energy lost at a door is lost around it, not through it. That is why a tight fit, good weatherstripping and a solid frame matter more than anything else.
One of the most practical ways to use aluminum at your entry is a storm door. An aluminum storm door adds a second barrier in front of your main door and traps a layer of air between the two. That buffer cuts drafts and helps keep indoor temperatures steady.
Aluminum on its own conducts heat, which is why a metal door feels close to the outdoor temperature when you touch it. Well-made doors deal with this through insulated cores, quality glass and tight seals, so pay attention to how a door is built and not only to what it is made of.
Seal the Door or Replace It?
If the gaps around your doors are small, caulk and new weatherstripping may be enough. It is an inexpensive fix and worth trying first.
If the door is warped, the frame is damaged, or you can see daylight around the edges, installing a new door is usually the better long-term answer. Replacing a door costs more up front, but it addresses the problem at its source. A new entry door or patio door that is properly fitted, paired with a storm door, gives you two layers of protection against the weather.
Other Reasons Homeowners Choose Aluminum
It Is Durable
Aluminum is lighter than steel but still strong, and it does not become brittle in cold temperatures the way some materials can. That makes it a good fit for a state like Connecticut, where doors face freezing winters year after year.
Aluminum also does not rust. It resists corrosion better than many other door materials, which means less upkeep over the life of the door.
It Is Affordable
If cost is one of your main concerns, aluminum doors are generally less expensive than doors made from some other common materials. Aluminum is also widely recycled, so choosing it is a reasonable option if you want to limit your environmental impact.
Signs Your Doors Are Raising Your Bills
Stand near the closed door on a cold or windy day. If you feel a draft, that air is costing you money. Other signs include light showing around the edges, weatherstripping that is cracked or flattened, a door that no longer latches snugly, and rooms near the entry that are always colder or hotter than the rest of the house.
Our post on how a storm door can lower winter heating bills explains more about what to expect.
Find Out What Your Doors Need
If you are not sure whether your doors need new seals, a storm door or full replacement, Aladdin can take a look and explain the options. Call (203) 776-9996 or request an estimate for your home.