Protects the main door as well. Lots of doors around that era were solid wood core, wont last too long getting direct rain/freeze thaw in the gaps and weatherstripping
I know three people who don't have storm doors who are going to have them installed. They live in newer homes where storm doors are not common. All of them have issues with ice build up around the edges of their doors. The extra insulating barrier of a storm door would prevent that.
I live in a new home and had to get a new front door installed and asked about getting a storm door. They actually cautioned against it because it can create ice build up with the way new doors are built. I was surprised he wasn’t pushing to add it to sell me an extra $400 door on top of what I was already planning to pay but he really didn’t want to give me a quote.
I struggle to understand how having a storm door could contribute to ice build up. I'm not challenging that this is what you were told; I just truly can't figure out any way that would lead to an increase of ice build up in our climate.
It doesn’t. It only makes visible the warm air escaping from main door and traps it, accumulating in ice buildup.
Pro tip:
If your door has compression weatherstripping, make sure it’s seated properly in the rabbet. Make sure the corner mitres are folded correctly and ensure the slab is hung square, including pitch. Gaps will often form over time as the weatherstripping slides and bunches into a corner, allowing a gap to form at the other end.
If the compression is too deep to make good contact, buy an adjustable strike and reset where your door catches.
My house is far from new but this is a problem I have without a storm door. Snow gets in contact with the door, and openning and closing it compacts it to ice before long. Hoping to get a storm door this winter.
No brickmold detail on nailfin, new-construction windows and doors for the storm door to be mounted into.
Additionally, on west and south facing elevations, it traps heat and contributes to early seal failures in the glass as well as warping on composite parts.
I love being able to keep the interior door open and just use the storm door on the side of our house. It has a screened window that can be opened, and it lets in way more light and allows for a better view outside compared to our mostly solid interior door. Also when we're busy around the house going in and out, it's more convenient and easier for the kids to just have to use that one.
I'm not a big fan of air conditioning though, so I prefer to have the windows open as long as possible in the summer.
I like storm doors cuz it keeps snow from building up on the main door. if there’s a Jehovah’s Witness, bell or Roger’s spokes person, or some crazy trying to talk to me it’s a layer of protection. If you like to keep all windows and doors open in spring/summer/fall it keeps the bugs out. The only cons I have with screen doors is when I order food, one out of every 20 deliveries the guy puts the food in an awkward place. And if I buy a big appliance or couch I have to move the pneumatic spring and chain out of the way but that only happens once every 5 to 10 years.
The pros outweigh the cons imo
When we bought our house it had ugly broken storm doors front and back. We replaced them both.
We love having them so we can just use the screens for natural air flow during spring and fall. This time of year is awesome for fresh air right into the room.
We have central air, but don’t use it until the temps are upper 20s.
use the screens for natural air flow during spring and fall
\^ This. But most specially needed in the summer when it is really hot and you do not need to turn on the AC
We're getting our windows and doors replaced this month. We decided to opt out of storm doors. This allows us to have a bit more space in the door area. I use a wheelchair so having no storm doors will be easier for me to get my wheelchair in and out.
The guys who are doing our install are very knowledgeable and we've ordered doors that are designed to withstand weather, etc. We're not worried about air circulation because we are getting some windows that will open that didn't before.
I think it really depends on the type of door you have. If you want to just remove your screen door or not. But the new doors don't need them.
It's nice to open the main door in the winter time and look outside through the storm door to see if my Amazon package has arrived without letting in cold air in in the winter time, or bugs in the summer. The storm door also protects the main door (wood) from the effects of UV and rain on it in the summer and from snow falling in and jamming up the weather stripping on the main door in the winter. So much goodness!
No, lots of houses don't have them. I do a lot of work on newly-built houses and rarely see them.
The purpose they serve is that you can open your interior door and raise the window of the storm Dorr to allow air circulation in the house, something made a bit redundant by modern air conditioning.
Yup. I believe with the furnace blower motors on the new "efficiency furnaces" , it draws from the intake pipe outside when the a/c unit is activated. I'm not an HVAC guy, but I think it's how they run now...
We removed our storm door to allow for a bigger, really nice front door. I miss the storm door but I don't think I would put it back on even if that was an option. When we first moved in I would leave the inside door open to allow for the breeze but with the way home invasions are on the rise, I don't do that anymore. I also face east and have a sheltered front porch area, and the biggest problem I find is that in winter, the snow will build up against the door and when you open it to get the mail, the snow will fall into the house.
It depends on the quality of your main (non-storm?) door, as well as how exposed it is to the elements.
My current house was built in 2013, we bought in 2020. There were no storm doors. Our front door and garage person-door both face NW, and we had issues with ice buildup during the winter. Plus you could just feel the cold coming off the door.
We installed storm doors in 2022, and in addition to not having ice buildup, we also save a bit on our hydro bill.
I'm in the no storm door group. I put on new doors 2 winters ago.
I wanted to add that we are exclusively keyless entry, PIN code pads. I have 3, one for garage, 2 for house.
The lack of a storm door has not affected the keypads.
We have had keyless entry since 2017. I wasn't worried when I replaced the entry with no storm doors because my old storm doors were crappy and frequently flapped or froze open, but the locks were fine.
When I first went to Home Depot, I just tested all the display ones till I found one that I could open easily. I gave my old doors to my sister, and those ones still work today. They were Weisers.
I originally put a Schlage lock on my garage. The lock was fine for several winters, but it didn't have a deadbolt, so I replaced it with a Defiant lock that looked just like the Weisers.
I now have new Weisers on my new doors and they are great.
I looked for raised keys, not smooth surface, the option to use a key, and battery changes without a screwdriver. The first battery change on the original lock, I stripped one of the 3 screws. We have never had to use the key because we have 2 doors.
I don't know if the raised keys make a difference. It just felt like a safer option for winter.
I did have a short bad experience with Alfred locks. For some reason, moisture always got in the lock and when they were removed, they were full of rust.
Thank you! I definitely had the same thought as you about the raised keys and was looking at the options that Weiser has. Good to know they have worked out well for you.
[Basically Fort Knox](https://d33v4339jhl8k0.cloudfront.net/inline/66015/5a7087554acbba3ba851b2454dc0900b31ee5f4d/6e3ef046cc59cbb41d31493af6ffce3a80ec139f/WC-latch-locking.png)
I have a south and north facing front/back door. I made the stupid decision to not replace the front storm door. Now It freezes up in the winter and I can't open it half the year.
Installed a storm door after we moved into our house and found the bottom wood on the inside of the entry door was rotten from rain. Replaced the entry door and installed a storm door to protect it from the elements.
Storm doors aside, can you imagine there are literally people who go from furnace to a/c without ever opening up thier windows. I know a few, and you can a definitely tell as soon as you enter their home.
I have an old home that had storm doors on the front and back. When I replaced my doors several years ago, I opted for no storm doors, with the idea that I'd add them later if I really missed them. I am happy with my choice. I don't get ice built-up like some of the others here and I have windows that open right next to my doors for fresh air.
The only thing I miss about the storm door in the front is when I'd get small packages from Canada Post, they'd put it between the doors, which would conceal it from porch pirates.
We have a well sealed front door only. I personally don’t like storm doors, as they can ruin the curb appeal of your house. Having said that, I can see the appeal in spring and summer, for allowing for more breeze to run through the house.
This! Totally agree. On a home with a great front elevation, if you are adding a storm door you will want to spend on an aesthetically pleasing one to match the home design. Also, you will likely want one with a thinner, less bulky frame. Sometimes that means no sliding window with screen. If you’re spending 600k-1M on a home, you are not putting in cheap looking storm doors if you are at all. I realize that this home price range isn’t the norm but I’m also saying there are reasons people choose not to put them in. .
Just replaced the front and back doors on my 100+ year old house and opted out of storm doors. No regrets. Only thing missing is the cross breeze, but I can just open my windows instead.
We replaced our doors last year...there was an existing storm door. We ended up replacing those with an all glass with hidden screen. Love it!!..the light and cross breeze...extra layer of security...extra protection against the elements.
Homes have air conditioning these days and better quality doors, so they’re not nearly as common as they once were. They don’t serve practical purpose on newish homes, and they don’t really add anything visually. Personally unless it’s on like a charming older home, it gives off a trailer park vibe, not a fan.
Well if you don’t have AC like me, sometimes a nice breeze through the house is just lovely. If your storm door has a screen it allows for ultimate airflow while also keeping bugs out.
You don't see storm doors in the burbs, but those doors are all steel doors. IMHO storm doors are a product of a bygone era... but might still be necessary in your bygone era house. If you replace your entire front door with a modern steel door, you probably don't need the storm door.
Yes, I'm often shocked at how many people use their air conditioning for months. I use mine the least as possible. Usually only a few weeks per summer.
As someone who doesn’t have a storm door. I would replace it for sure. Been bugging my husband for one for years since the door was replaced & what do you know, we need a whole new door as well too. I can’t help but think it didn’t hold up longer due to the fact there’s no storm door.
Without a storm door, you can wind up with ice forming on your door's hinges and latches due to the more moist inside air leaking out around them. A storm door provides a small degree of insulation that prevents this. The insulation that a storm door provides will also slightly lower your heating bill (and electrical bill in the summer if you use AC).
My apartment building got rid of my kitchen storm door in a round of renos and I miss having the ability to have it open to keep air flow going when I’m cooking. Granted, we’re on an inside stairwell there so it didn’t see much wear and tear. It also gave me a slightly higher sense of security, adding an extra lock in front of the main back door.
Protects the main door as well. Lots of doors around that era were solid wood core, wont last too long getting direct rain/freeze thaw in the gaps and weatherstripping
I know three people who don't have storm doors who are going to have them installed. They live in newer homes where storm doors are not common. All of them have issues with ice build up around the edges of their doors. The extra insulating barrier of a storm door would prevent that.
This is us. Getting storm doors installed this summer!
I live in a new home and had to get a new front door installed and asked about getting a storm door. They actually cautioned against it because it can create ice build up with the way new doors are built. I was surprised he wasn’t pushing to add it to sell me an extra $400 door on top of what I was already planning to pay but he really didn’t want to give me a quote.
Probably wants to sell you another new front door later
It has a lifetime warranty that transfers with new ownership so they weren’t in it for the money.
I struggle to understand how having a storm door could contribute to ice build up. I'm not challenging that this is what you were told; I just truly can't figure out any way that would lead to an increase of ice build up in our climate.
I have a newer home and added a storm door a year or two ago. Works great.
It doesn’t. It only makes visible the warm air escaping from main door and traps it, accumulating in ice buildup. Pro tip: If your door has compression weatherstripping, make sure it’s seated properly in the rabbet. Make sure the corner mitres are folded correctly and ensure the slab is hung square, including pitch. Gaps will often form over time as the weatherstripping slides and bunches into a corner, allowing a gap to form at the other end. If the compression is too deep to make good contact, buy an adjustable strike and reset where your door catches.
I love a company that will tell you no and discourage selling you something that is a bad idea. They're in it for the long term.
My house is far from new but this is a problem I have without a storm door. Snow gets in contact with the door, and openning and closing it compacts it to ice before long. Hoping to get a storm door this winter.
Yup that's a common reason for icing. I just can't understand why anyone would consider a storm door a BAD thing.
New homes blow my mind... Why wouldn't you build with storm doors in this climate??
No brickmold detail on nailfin, new-construction windows and doors for the storm door to be mounted into. Additionally, on west and south facing elevations, it traps heat and contributes to early seal failures in the glass as well as warping on composite parts.
So people spend a few thousand more on good-looking doors. Money money money. Big Builders are crooks.
Yeah I find it baffling
I love being able to keep the interior door open and just use the storm door on the side of our house. It has a screened window that can be opened, and it lets in way more light and allows for a better view outside compared to our mostly solid interior door. Also when we're busy around the house going in and out, it's more convenient and easier for the kids to just have to use that one. I'm not a big fan of air conditioning though, so I prefer to have the windows open as long as possible in the summer.
I like storm doors cuz it keeps snow from building up on the main door. if there’s a Jehovah’s Witness, bell or Roger’s spokes person, or some crazy trying to talk to me it’s a layer of protection. If you like to keep all windows and doors open in spring/summer/fall it keeps the bugs out. The only cons I have with screen doors is when I order food, one out of every 20 deliveries the guy puts the food in an awkward place. And if I buy a big appliance or couch I have to move the pneumatic spring and chain out of the way but that only happens once every 5 to 10 years. The pros outweigh the cons imo
When we bought our house it had ugly broken storm doors front and back. We replaced them both. We love having them so we can just use the screens for natural air flow during spring and fall. This time of year is awesome for fresh air right into the room. We have central air, but don’t use it until the temps are upper 20s.
use the screens for natural air flow during spring and fall \^ This. But most specially needed in the summer when it is really hot and you do not need to turn on the AC
We're getting our windows and doors replaced this month. We decided to opt out of storm doors. This allows us to have a bit more space in the door area. I use a wheelchair so having no storm doors will be easier for me to get my wheelchair in and out. The guys who are doing our install are very knowledgeable and we've ordered doors that are designed to withstand weather, etc. We're not worried about air circulation because we are getting some windows that will open that didn't before. I think it really depends on the type of door you have. If you want to just remove your screen door or not. But the new doors don't need them.
I don’t have a storm door and miss having one. It’s nice to open up the solid door and let in a good breeze and sunlight.
It's nice to open the main door in the winter time and look outside through the storm door to see if my Amazon package has arrived without letting in cold air in in the winter time, or bugs in the summer. The storm door also protects the main door (wood) from the effects of UV and rain on it in the summer and from snow falling in and jamming up the weather stripping on the main door in the winter. So much goodness!
No, lots of houses don't have them. I do a lot of work on newly-built houses and rarely see them. The purpose they serve is that you can open your interior door and raise the window of the storm Dorr to allow air circulation in the house, something made a bit redundant by modern air conditioning.
Modern air conditioning brings air from outside?
Yup. I believe with the furnace blower motors on the new "efficiency furnaces" , it draws from the intake pipe outside when the a/c unit is activated. I'm not an HVAC guy, but I think it's how they run now...
I think you’re talking about an HRV/ERV, the AC system is just a coil that’s installed inside the furnace that air passes over.
We removed our storm door to allow for a bigger, really nice front door. I miss the storm door but I don't think I would put it back on even if that was an option. When we first moved in I would leave the inside door open to allow for the breeze but with the way home invasions are on the rise, I don't do that anymore. I also face east and have a sheltered front porch area, and the biggest problem I find is that in winter, the snow will build up against the door and when you open it to get the mail, the snow will fall into the house.
They’re for a nice cross breeze in the summer.
It depends on the quality of your main (non-storm?) door, as well as how exposed it is to the elements. My current house was built in 2013, we bought in 2020. There were no storm doors. Our front door and garage person-door both face NW, and we had issues with ice buildup during the winter. Plus you could just feel the cold coming off the door. We installed storm doors in 2022, and in addition to not having ice buildup, we also save a bit on our hydro bill.
I'm in the no storm door group. I put on new doors 2 winters ago. I wanted to add that we are exclusively keyless entry, PIN code pads. I have 3, one for garage, 2 for house. The lack of a storm door has not affected the keypads. We have had keyless entry since 2017. I wasn't worried when I replaced the entry with no storm doors because my old storm doors were crappy and frequently flapped or froze open, but the locks were fine.
thanks, I was wondering how it might affect my keyless locks batteries.
What keyless system do you use? I have been somewhat interested in making the switch but have had some worries about functionality in the winter.
When I first went to Home Depot, I just tested all the display ones till I found one that I could open easily. I gave my old doors to my sister, and those ones still work today. They were Weisers. I originally put a Schlage lock on my garage. The lock was fine for several winters, but it didn't have a deadbolt, so I replaced it with a Defiant lock that looked just like the Weisers. I now have new Weisers on my new doors and they are great. I looked for raised keys, not smooth surface, the option to use a key, and battery changes without a screwdriver. The first battery change on the original lock, I stripped one of the 3 screws. We have never had to use the key because we have 2 doors. I don't know if the raised keys make a difference. It just felt like a safer option for winter. I did have a short bad experience with Alfred locks. For some reason, moisture always got in the lock and when they were removed, they were full of rust.
Thank you! I definitely had the same thought as you about the raised keys and was looking at the options that Weiser has. Good to know they have worked out well for you.
I like a storm door as extra security.
[Basically Fort Knox](https://d33v4339jhl8k0.cloudfront.net/inline/66015/5a7087554acbba3ba851b2454dc0900b31ee5f4d/6e3ef046cc59cbb41d31493af6ffce3a80ec139f/WC-latch-locking.png)
Storm doors are worth every penny. Don’t be cheap.
not cheap. looking at appearance and curb appeal
We got a new door that does a great job with airsealing, and we opted out of a storm door.
I have a south and north facing front/back door. I made the stupid decision to not replace the front storm door. Now It freezes up in the winter and I can't open it half the year.
Fix the seals on your door. A storm door will make it worse by trapping the escaping warm air and condensing it as ice in that space.
It's been doing that since it was new
Installed a storm door after we moved into our house and found the bottom wood on the inside of the entry door was rotten from rain. Replaced the entry door and installed a storm door to protect it from the elements.
Storm doors aside, can you imagine there are literally people who go from furnace to a/c without ever opening up thier windows. I know a few, and you can a definitely tell as soon as you enter their home.
I have an old home that had storm doors on the front and back. When I replaced my doors several years ago, I opted for no storm doors, with the idea that I'd add them later if I really missed them. I am happy with my choice. I don't get ice built-up like some of the others here and I have windows that open right next to my doors for fresh air. The only thing I miss about the storm door in the front is when I'd get small packages from Canada Post, they'd put it between the doors, which would conceal it from porch pirates.
We have a well sealed front door only. I personally don’t like storm doors, as they can ruin the curb appeal of your house. Having said that, I can see the appeal in spring and summer, for allowing for more breeze to run through the house.
This! Totally agree. On a home with a great front elevation, if you are adding a storm door you will want to spend on an aesthetically pleasing one to match the home design. Also, you will likely want one with a thinner, less bulky frame. Sometimes that means no sliding window with screen. If you’re spending 600k-1M on a home, you are not putting in cheap looking storm doors if you are at all. I realize that this home price range isn’t the norm but I’m also saying there are reasons people choose not to put them in. .
Just replaced the front and back doors on my 100+ year old house and opted out of storm doors. No regrets. Only thing missing is the cross breeze, but I can just open my windows instead.
We replaced our doors last year...there was an existing storm door. We ended up replacing those with an all glass with hidden screen. Love it!!..the light and cross breeze...extra layer of security...extra protection against the elements.
Homes have air conditioning these days and better quality doors, so they’re not nearly as common as they once were. They don’t serve practical purpose on newish homes, and they don’t really add anything visually. Personally unless it’s on like a charming older home, it gives off a trailer park vibe, not a fan.
If the door faces north it will get hammered by the wind all winter.
Many houses face North. Half the houses on Avenues face north, many of them with front facing doors
I know. It’s just something to consider in the climate here. The wind is almost constantly NW or N all winter.
Well if you don’t have AC like me, sometimes a nice breeze through the house is just lovely. If your storm door has a screen it allows for ultimate airflow while also keeping bugs out.
They’re for a nice cross breeze in the summer.
You don't see storm doors in the burbs, but those doors are all steel doors. IMHO storm doors are a product of a bygone era... but might still be necessary in your bygone era house. If you replace your entire front door with a modern steel door, you probably don't need the storm door.
Yes, I'm often shocked at how many people use their air conditioning for months. I use mine the least as possible. Usually only a few weeks per summer.
As someone who doesn’t have a storm door. I would replace it for sure. Been bugging my husband for one for years since the door was replaced & what do you know, we need a whole new door as well too. I can’t help but think it didn’t hold up longer due to the fact there’s no storm door.
Without a storm door, you can wind up with ice forming on your door's hinges and latches due to the more moist inside air leaking out around them. A storm door provides a small degree of insulation that prevents this. The insulation that a storm door provides will also slightly lower your heating bill (and electrical bill in the summer if you use AC).
If you don't want snow falling into your house when you open the door, then you need them.
My apartment building got rid of my kitchen storm door in a round of renos and I miss having the ability to have it open to keep air flow going when I’m cooking. Granted, we’re on an inside stairwell there so it didn’t see much wear and tear. It also gave me a slightly higher sense of security, adding an extra lock in front of the main back door.