Investing in an energy-efficient front door can significantly reduce your home’s overall energy consumption and save you money over time.
In this article, we explore how upgrading an energy-efficient front door can help you cut down on heating bills, improve the overall energy efficiency of the house and offer a robust and straightforward solution to lowering your utility bills.
What are the best materials for insulated front doors?
This list will rank the best doors for providing energy efficiency from best to worst:
- Steel front doors are exceptionally strong and thick
- Composite front doors are highly advanced; they are constructed from multiple materials, which means they can be slightly less sturdy.
- Solid wood front doors are generally less effective, as they are often either hollow or simply planks of wood.
How do insulated doors work?
Insulated doors establish a thermal barrier (sometimes called a thermal break), thereby minimising heat transfer between the inside and outside of a building. This process regulates indoor temperatures, creating a more comfortable environment and allowing for significant energy savings.
But how do they actually work?
The insulation at the core
The core material is key to the effectiveness of an insulated door. Unlike hollow doors that often use honeycomb cardboard, insulated doors are filled with specialised insulating materials. Materials like polyurethane or polystyrene foam, fibreglass or composite materials (like composite doors) provide superior thermal efficiency and durability.
Reducing heat transfer
Insulated doors combat heat transfer through three primary mechanisms:
- Conduction: Core insulation is a poor heat conductor, preventing direct heat movement.
- Convection: Tight seals and weatherstripping prevent air leakage and drafts.
- Radiation: Glass panels in doors often use insulated glass (double/triple glazing) to minimise heat transfer.
The outside of the door
While the core insulation is vital, the overall effectiveness of an insulated door also hinges on what seals the door:
- Weatherstripping material is crucial for preventing drafts. When closed, this material (typically foam, rubber or vinyl) forms a tight seal between the door and frame.
- Door sweeps/Draught stoppers are strips that can be fixed to the bottom of the door, they seal any gap, preventing air from escaping underneath.
- The door’s frame can also contribute to heat loss. Some insulated doors feature frames with a thermal break – a non-conductive material that separates the inner and outer parts of the frame, further reducing heat transfer. Effective insulated doors rely on their core material to prevent heat transfer. Unlike hollow doors, they are filled with specialised insulating materials like those listed above.
How much energy could you save?
According to the Energy Saving Trust, UK energy-efficient doors and windows are a huge saver in the UK. As it is a cold country for a significant part of the year, efficient doors can save you a lot of money on energy bills you would otherwise spend heating your house. They suggest that even double-glazing on the glass in your windows and doors can save up to £140 on energy bills. This is without all the additional benefits of having the other aspects of your entryway insulated and fully sealed.
To summarise
Despite its initial cost, a high-quality, well-insulated front door is a great investment. Like solar panels, it may take time to recover the initial payment but the longer you own your property, the more significant your long-term savings will be. Modern doors are built to last, meaning you could get substantial savings over their extended lifespan. So, why not go for it? After all, the sooner you do it, the more savings you will make.
