Storm doors offer both weather protection and ventilation for your home. They include interchangeable panes that can be switched between security glass and a screen that lets air flow while keeping insects out of your house. Most manufacturers offer pre-hung and pre-drilled storm doors, which simplify installation.
How Do Storm Doors Work?
Storm doors are “additional” doors added in front of an existing exterior door. A storm door gives external doors an additional layer of protection, particularly during winter, and can facilitate airflow during summer. Storm doors perform the following purposes:
- A front door made of wood or painted is shielded from the elements in the winter by a storm door.
- As long as temperatures are appropriate, you can also open the front door to let light—but not frigid air—in via the glass panel.
- Adding another layer of insulation prevents hot air from escaping via exterior doors or allowing cold draughts to enter.
- A storm door’s screen panels in warm weather let air in and circulate while keeping bugs and other debris out.
When to Use a Storm Door:
Your home benefits are year-round from having a storm door. The glass panels are helpful in chilly, wet, or windy conditions since they shield outside doors from the weather. Open the front door, keep the storm door closed, and take advantage of the sunshine filtering through the glass panel if the weather is cool but sunny.
If your storm door has a screen, you can remove the glass panels in warmer weather and use the screen to let in fresh air without letting in pesky insects.
Storm Doors: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Allows light to enter while keeping insects out.
- Helps your primary door last longer. Your main door will be shielded from bad weather by a storm door.
- Permits ventilation and fresh air entry.
- Storm doors for houses with solid doors increase visibility.
- Available in a variety of colors, patterns, and designs
- Increases your home’s worth
- Insulation is provided.
- Enhances security
Cons:
- Transporting children or groceries is inconvenient.
- This can result in heat buildup, which harms your primary entry door.
- Storm doors are not required if your door is located underneath an overhang or covered porch.
- The high cost of installation and buying
Replacement costs: Because a storm door is located in a high-traffic area, it should be changed every five years. This door is vulnerable to wear and tear dents, and scratches.
The Top 10 Storm Doors for Defending Your Home in 2023:
We’ve put together a list of the best storm door choices available to assist you in your search. Explore now!
1. Andersen Full Aluminum Storm Door, 3000 Series:
A sturdy storm door can keep your house safe even in the worst storms. Because it’s simple to modify, incredibly strong, and comes with a lifetime warranty, the Andersen 3000 series Full Aluminum Storm Door is our favorite and best overall.
This door will withstand severe winds and damage more than regular glass since the window has thermally-tempered glass. The 1.5-inch-thick door frame is reinforced with aluminum at each corner joint for further strength. You only need to install it because it is already pre-assembled; this should take at most an hour or two.
The door may be customized with six different colors and four different sizes, and the option to replace the glass with insect screens for summertime ventilation. Although this model is right-handed and does not have a handle, a left-handed version is also offered.
2. Titan Meshtec Ultimate Security Storm Door:
A 3-point locking system is included in the Titan Meshtec Ultimate Security Storm Door for additional security. The storm door provides complete weather protection. It offers an unbroken view and permits airflow.
The center of the Titan storm door has a stainless steel mesh cover. Behind the door, there is tempered glass paneling. The mesh, which Meshtec makes, helps stop typical forced entry and break-in scenarios. The storm door has a recessed mount frame that hugs various framing or molding styles snugly.
Heavy-duty, weather-resistant aluminum makes up the door’s frame. The door also has a protective powder coating, which lengthens its lifespan. It is supported by four regularly spaced hinges that dangle from the storm door for stability.
A sturdy doorknob drilled into the door frame adds 90 pounds weight to the door. Additionally, it protects pets and serves as a sturdy barrier to prevent pet escapes.
3. Emco Self-Storing Storm Door, 100 Series:
The Emco 100 Series Self-Storing Storm Door is a cost-effective and dependable solution for homes searching for a low-cost storm door. It has an aluminum frame and a robust steel closing. This storm door features an adjustable bottom glass panel and a partial-view window with a fixed screen. A lot of light and fresh air is let in for a while, keeping pests out by sliding the glass panel up. It closes completely when slid down for complete protection.
Depending on the user’s option, the Emco 100 Series storm door can be fitted either left- or right-handed. Given the wide variety of size options available, practically any door frame can be accommodated by an Emco Series 100 door.
4. Larson Pet-view Total View Steel storm door:
The Larson Tradewinds is the storm door to choose from if you want one that can withstand anything. Its aluminum frame construction makes this storm door long-lasting and easy to maintain. Additionally, this storm door features a double closer system for security.
This door’s seamless transition from a breezy screen to an entire pane of glass is one of its outstanding features. A straightforward push-button system on the Larson Tradewinds makes it simple to open a window screen that offers sufficient ventilation but keeps insects out. Last but not least, it has a self-storing window that resists breaking or cracking easily.
5. Larson Mid-View Storm Door:
A mid-view storm door provides more venting than the standard variants. Many customers suggest the Larson Mid-View storm door as a popular option. If you have pets, it’s an excellent choice for a storm door.The Larson Mid-View storm door has a DuraTech surface covering a wooden core and is made to endure high traffic. Compared to standard vinyl coatings, DuraTech is more resistant to scratching and won’t damage aluminum finishes as easily. The large window screen on this 34-storm door lets you let in a lot of light and fresh air.
The bottom and top of the retractable screen. Reviewers like this storm door with kids since it keeps them inside. Fortunately, the screen on this 3/4-view storm door from Larson is three times more durable than a standard storm door screen.
6. Aluminum retractable anytime storms door from Andersen’s 2500 Series:
The 2500 Series from Andersen is a fantastic full-view alternative. This storm door includes a large window in regular or high-performance Low-E glass and a frame made of aluminum that is 1.25 inches thick and weatherstripped. Additionally, the retractable insect screen folds back into the frame when you want a complete view.
We particularly like the increased protection the door’s integrated deadbolt lock provides. Additionally, it is simple to install and may be set up for left- or right-handed use. Andersen offers a limited lifetime warranty for this product, just like it does for its other storm doors.
7. Laguna Security Storm Door by Leslie Locke 50732X80:
It is simple to control the quantity of light entering a room with a storm door with blinds. A full-view storm door with blinds concealed between two glass panels is the Leslie Locke 50732. These blinds are simple to lift, lower, or tilt.
The storm door’s built-in shades have many benefits. The blinds won’t need to be dusted, and the cordless construction lessens the risk of choking for kids and animals.
The body of this storm door is made of lightweight, durable metal. A bottom closure helps the door close smoothly when you enter or exit. The ability to leave the main entrance open and see outside is what people like best about this storm door. It increases privacy without requiring the door to be closed.
8. Pella Select Full-View Aluminum Storm Door:
This full-view storm door from Pella is worth the investment because it has elegant crystal bevel glass, many doors and handles finish options, and other excellent features. Pella Select storm doors provide customers the delight of customizing their doors by allowing them to choose everything from the frame color to the glass style and hardware finish. The dual weatherstrip protects against both draughts and lousy weather. Additionally, the One-Touch function allows for hands-free access. Press the bottom button with your foot to hold the door open.
9. CROFT METALS 163-36REV-WH WHT Storm Door:
One of the top storm doors available is the CROFT METALS 163-36REV-WH. With a 1.5-inch thickness and universal hinges for simple installation, it measures 85 inches tall. The door displays high-quality construction and fits the frame perfectly.
Due to its sturdy design and blue-gray coloring, this storm door is an excellent option for offices and other business buildings. It weighs only 38 pounds and is composed of aluminum, keeping the rain and other inclement weather outside the house or place of business.
The little latch on the Croft Metals storm door detracts attention from the rest of the door. The glass for the storm door has a teal-blue hue that complements the grey of the door and adds vibrancy to your house.
10. Triple-Track Universal Storm Door in the 200 Series Bronze:
The EMCO doors include the 200 Series Bronze Universal Aluminum Storm Door. The storm door is made of sturdy bronze and aluminum. It also includes a white finish protection coating and a triple-track design for longevity. The glass paneling on the door helps to let in the fresh air. Additionally, you’ll see single weather stripping around the door frame to keep the rain and wind out of your home. You’ll also receive reversible right or left-hanging options to maximize your available area.
Installing the 200 Series bronze storm door takes less than two hours. The door is already drilled and prepared for installation. The door is guaranteed not to rust and is weather-resistant, thanks to its robust aluminum construction.
High-grade metal is used for the window frames to match the door and avoid rusting or leaking. Plastic door latches make it simple to operate the window.
How Did We Pick the Finest Storm Doors?
The best models are defined by their materials, size options, style, and other unique features offered by the leading manufacturers, we found after researching the most popular storm doors in their respective categories.
While looking for the best solutions, we discovered that steel and aluminum storm doors with full-view designs were the most common among users. If you prefer a little less light flowing through your doors, partial- or half-view types are also good options, albeit less common.
Most of the doors on our list are also supplied in various sizes to match customers’ existing door frames and in various colors to enhance a home’s curb appeal. As for unique features, several options mentioned above have tempered glass windows, movable screens, and even dog doors for households with pets.