How to Maximize Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with the Right Doors
When you open the door to improved home energy efficiency, you’ll be welcoming elevated comfort, lower energy bills, and a decreased carbon footprint into your home.
But to achieve this, you’re going to need the right door, of course—an energy-efficient one.
Western Windows is here to walk you through our ultimate guide to energy efficient doors in Calgary.
Table of Contents: How to Maximize Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with the Right Doors
- What is Energy Efficiency?
- The Benefits of Energy Efficient Doors
- Improved Insulation
- Lower Energy Bills
- Reduced Carbon Footprint
- Increased Home Value
- How To Make Doors More Energy-Efficient
- Energy Efficiency Properties of Various Door Types
- Superior Calgary Door Installation and Calgary Door Replacement
What is Energy Efficiency?
We hear the term “energy efficiency” all the time—but what does it really mean for your home?
Energy efficiency refers to the practice of using less energy to perform the same task or produce the same result. In the context of your home, it means finding ways to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort or functionality.
The Benefits of Energy Efficient Doors
From climate change to surging electricity prices, there are plenty of neon signs in the universe that consistently signal us to start opting for everything energy-efficient.
With many people looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their energy bills, one often overlooked aspect of energy efficiency in the home is the type of doors you have installed. Energy efficient doors can provide a wide range of benefits—both for the environment and for your lifestyle.
Improved Insulation and Comfort
One of the key benefits of energy efficient doors is their ability to improve the overall insulation of your home. Poorly insulated doors can let in drafts and allow heat to escape, making it harder to regulate the temperature inside your home. That’s where energy efficient doors come into the picture–they’re designed to minimize heat transfer, keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Overall, proper insulation ensures improved comfort for you and the whole family.
Noise Reduction
Are exterior noises interrupting your sweet dreams at night? Instead of being able to concentrate on working from home, do you feel like pulling your hair out because you can’t block out exterior sounds?
It sounds like you could really use energy efficient doors with noise-reduction features. Most energy efficient doors have superior fittings and seals that contribute to noise reduction. If you live in a bustling area, such as near a busy street or airport, this can be especially beneficial.
Energy efficient doors and windows can help to reduce outside noise by blocking sound waves and creating a barrier between your home and the outside world. The insulation provided by energy efficient doors and window products can help to dampen the sound, making it less audible inside your home. By reducing the amount of noise that enters your home, you’ll enjoy a more peaceful and quiet living environment.
Lower Energy Bills
Energy efficient doors can also help to reduce your energy bills. By keeping heat from escaping in the winter and preventing cool air from seeping out in the summer, these fixtures can help to lower your heating and cooling costs. Over time, these savings can add up, making energy efficient doors a smart investment for any homeowner.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Another significant benefit of an energy efficient door is its contribution to reducing your home’s carbon footprint. When you have poorly insulated doors, your heating and cooling systems have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, resulting in higher energy consumption.
This increased energy usage leads to the release of more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. If you haven’t already—you can count on it that Mother Earth is waiting for you to make the big switch to an energy efficient door,
Increased Home Value
An energy efficient door doesn’t just improve your lifestyle while you live in the home. If you ever plan to sell your property, these fixtures will make it more appealing to potential buyers as well. With more and more people looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact and save money on energy bills, buyers are often willing to pay more for homes that have these features.
How To Make Doors More Energy Efficient
Convinced that you can’t possibly lose when you opt for energy efficient doors?
Now it’s time to discover all the ways doors can be injected with energy efficiency elements.
1. Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping is a simple and cost-effective way to improve the energy efficiency of doors. This material—typically made of vinyl, rubber, or silicone— seals the gaps around the edges of the door, preventing drafts and air leakage.
2. Sealing and Caulking
Sealing and caulking any cracks or gaps around the door frame and threshold helps block out any potential sources of air leaks. This material needs to be regularly inspected and replaced to ensure optimal performance.
3. Door Sweeps
Door sweeps are another easy way to ensure an energy efficient door. A door sweep is a strip of plastic or rubber material that attaches to the bottom of the door, sealing the gap between the door and the floor. This prevents drafts from coming in and heat from escaping. Over time, it can become worn or damaged—so make sure to replace it as soon as necessary.
4. Insulation
For hollow doors, foam insulation or fibreglass batts can be added to the door panel.
5. Glazings and Coatings
Do your doors have glass panels? Using double or triple-pane glass with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and gas fills is key to better insulation.
Low-E glass has a microscopically thin coating that reflects heat back into the room while allowing natural light to pass through. This feature helps to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing the reliance on artificial lighting during the day. Less artificial lighting means less energy consumption, which further enhances the energy efficiency of your home.
6. Reflective Films or Tinting
While we all need our daily-dose of vitamin D, no one wants to be marinating in sunlight as they sit by their desk all day.
Applying low-emissivity or reflective films to glass door panels helps to reflect heat and UV rays. On the other hand, tinting is another option that can reduce the amount of solar heat entering through glass doors.
7. Proper Threshold and Door Alignment
Don’t underestimate the power of adjustments and alignments.
Adjusting or replacing the threshold can ensure a tight fit and prevent drafts between the bottom of the door and the floor. At the same time, make sure the door is properly aligned with the frame to avoid gaps and minimize air infiltration.
8. Upgrade or Add Storm Doors
Maybe all your doors need is a little bit of backup to do a better job. Consider installing a storm door as an additional barrier against the elements, particularly if your main door is older or less efficient. Of course, you have to ensure that the storm door has good weatherstripping and fits snugly against the frame as well.
9. Opt for Sustainable Materials
If you’re looking for a door replacement in Calgary, you’ll find that energy efficient doors are often made from sustainable materials and are manufactured with eco-friendly processes. Materials such as fibreglass, steel, or composite materials, when used for door construction, can be more durable and have better insulation properties compared to conventional wooden doors.
So, how does this affect the planet? Choosing doors made from sustainable materials helps conserve natural resources and reduces the environmental impact associated with door production.
10. Upgrade to Energy Efficient Doors
While all the above-mentioned elements contribute to making a door more energy efficient, sometimes the best solution is to replace your existing door entirely.
You don’t want Mother Earth frowning upon your door’s lack of energy efficiency properties.
Traditional doors with poor insulation can result in temperature fluctuations inside the house. This forces your heating or cooling system to work harder to compensate for the heat loss or gain. Consequently, upgrading to energy efficient doors can help you decrease your home’s reliance on fossil fuels and lower your carbon footprint.
But don’t just look for any type of Calgary door replacement—opt for ENERGY STAR-rated doors that have better insulation and are designed for energy efficiency. At the same time, choose materials like fibreglass, insulated steel, or solid wood doors with a high R-value, which is a measure of thermal resistance.
Energy Efficiency Properties of Various Door Types
When it comes to door replacements in Calgary, the most popular choices for materials are typically wood, steel, aluminum, fibreglass, and vinyl. But in a battle of energy efficiency properties, which one would emerge as the winner? Find out below:
| Material | Insulation Properties | Energy-Efficient Glazing Options | Maintenance Requirements | Overall Energy Efficiency Comment |
| Aluminum | Lower insulation due to metal conductivity; Requires thermal break for improved efficiency(R-2 to R-3) | Can be fitted with double or triple-pane glass, Low-E coatings, and thermal breaks | Low maintenance; durable and corrosion-resistant | Moderate; Thermal breaks significantly improve efficiency |
| Wood | Natural insulator but can vary with type; Generally moderate R-values (R-2 to R-5) | Can be equipped with double or triple-pane glass, Low-E coatings | Requires regular sealing, staining, or painting to protect against elements | Moderate; Good with proper maintenance and added glazing options |
| Vinyl | Good insulation properties; Can have foam-filled frames for higher R-values(R-3 to R-5) | Often includes double or triple-pane glass, Low-E coatings, and other energy-saving features | Low maintenance; Resistant to weathering and fading | Good to High; Enhanced when foam-filled and with appropriate glazing |
| Steel | Typically has a foam insulation core; High R-values possible(R-5 to R-6) | Often has double or triple-pane glass, Low-E or insulating glass options | Low maintenance; may need touch-up for scratches/rust | High; Very efficient when insulated properly |
| Fibreglass | Excellent insulation with foam core; High R-values(R-5 to R-7) | Commonly comes with energy-efficient glazing options, such as Low-E or insulated glass | Low maintenance; resistant to warping, corrosion, and fading | High; Superior insulating properties due to foam core |
Fibreglass Wins
With its excellent insulation properties, next-level R-values, and unparalleled durability, there’s no doubt that fibreglass takes the crown as the top-choice material for energy efficient doors and door replacement in Calgary.
This material consists of numerous extremely fine fibres of glass—and as an eco-friendly bonus, fibreglass is also a sustainable material that can be recycled at the end of its lifespan, reducing waste and the need for new raw materials.
If you ask the most reliable Calgary door companies out there, they’ll tell you that fibreglass doors are truly superior.
Superior Calgary Door Installation and Calgary Door Replacement
When it comes to superior Calgary door installation and Calgary door replacement, the solution is clear: the Western Windows team.
Our solutions:
The Western Windows Difference
Western Window is one of the leading Calgary door companies. Since 1977, we’ve been providing quality workmanship, materials, and customer service to clients all across Alberta.
Whether you’re looking for exterior door replacement in Calgary or door installation in Calgary, count on our team to carry out the project flawlessly and elevate your home to brand-new levels of energy efficiency.
Talk to us today to request a free estimate.
View our other guides for more helpful tips:
- Doors You Can Trust in Calgary from Western Windows
- The Ultimate Destination for Windows in Calgary: Western Windows
- 9 Key Considerations for Window Replacement in Calgary
- Summer Maintenance Tips for Windows: Calgary Homeowners’ Guide
