As the weather cools down, preparing your home for winter becomes a top priority, and that starts with your doors. An old or damaged exterior door lets all your expensive heat out and allows cold drafts in.
Replacing a drafty or damaged front door, patio door or any exterior door before the severe cold arrives is a necessary seasonal upgrade that leads to real, measurable improvements. Lower heating bills, a more comfortable home and better security – these are just a few reasons why you should replace doors before winter.
Your entry door is a significant part of your home’s exterior. When it’s old, damaged or poorly installed, it creates major points for heat to escape, especially during colder months. Better energy efficiency is one of the lasting benefits of replacing doors before winter.
Heat loss from an exterior door happens mainly in two ways – air filtration and heat transfer. Air filtration, or drafts, refers to the flow of cold outdoor air into a heated interior space. It typically happens through small gaps between the door and the frame, often due to failed weatherstripping, a settled foundation or a warped door. When the wind blows or the temperature drops sharply, your heating system has to work overtime to fight these drafts.
Conduction, or heat transfer, is when heat moves directly through the door material itself. Older materials, like uninsulated wood or thin metal, are poor insulators, allowing the cold to easily travel from the outside surface to the inside surface.
Modern replacement doors are engineered using smart, advanced materials to solve both of these problems:
Installing a door with a certified low U-factor immediately reduces the strain on your heating system. This quantifiable reduction in thermal leakage means you’ll see lower monthly utility bills, especially during the most costly winter months.
The best part about better energy efficiency? A much cozier interior. Comfort is all about maintaining a stable, even temperature throughout your home. An efficient exterior door gets rid of those annoying cold spots, which is a primary benefit of replacing doors before the temperature drops.
If you have an old door, you’ve probably noticed that the area near the entryway is always noticeably colder. Cold air tends to pool near the floor and circulate into nearby rooms, forcing you to crank up the thermostat higher just to feel comfortable. A new door ensures the temperature set by your thermostat is maintained consistently across your entire floor plan. This stability minimizes temperature swings and reduces how often your furnace has to cycle on.
Plus, the dense, insulated cores and tight seals of modern doors are fantastic at blocking outside noise. They absorb and stop sound waves, which is a big benefit if you live near traffic or if you want to eliminate the sound of severe wind or winter maintenance equipment. The result is a measurably quieter and more peaceful home.
Security is a necessary consideration when evaluating home component replacements. The approach of winter, characterized by reduced daylight hours and seasonal travel, makes a strong entry point vital.
The level of security is determined by the combined strength of the door slab, the frame and the locking hardware.
Modern fiberglass and steel doors are manufactured with superior impact resistance compared to aged wood or aluminum doors, which can weaken due to moisture infiltration or rot. A solid, composite core resists deformation and break-through attempts.
The stability of the entry system relies on the frame being plumb, square and anchored properly. Professional installation ensures the use of specialized screws anchored directly into the structural studs of the rough opening, often through extended strike plates. It vastly improves resistance to kick-in attempts.
Replacement doors are compatible with or include advanced locking technology. Multipoint locking systems secure the door slab to the frame at three or more points along the vertical edge. It prevents the door edge from separating from the frame under duress.
New door installations use heavy-gauge steel strike plates that are secured with long screws, making the critical locking area far more resilient than those fastened with short screws into the door jamb trim.
Upgrading to a high-security door system reduces the risk profile of the property, offering demonstrable resistance to common intrusion methods.
While function is key, the look of your door is a significant investment in your home’s appearance and value. Aging doors require ongoing maintenance, including frequent painting, scraping and repair of wood rot. Modern replacement doors, especially those made from Fibrex® material, offer superior durability and minimal maintenance requirements. These materials resist warping, fading and deterioration due to exposure to winter moisture and temperature fluctuations.
The front door is a defining feature of the home’s exterior. Replacing an old, damaged door enhances the appeal of the entire structure. The ability to select from a wide range of durable finishes, colors and design profiles allows the homeowner to choose an option that elevates the specific architecture of the home.
If you are a homeowner wondering if you should replace doors before winter, the answer is yes, as it offers several advantages. It improves your home’s energy efficiency, curb appeal, comfort and security before the onset of cold weather. Picking a quality door and ensuring professional installation are critical for achieving these benefits. Renewal by Andersen provides door replacement services using high-quality, durable products and a comprehensive installation process.
We offer a selection of entry and patio doors engineered for maximum energy performance and security. Our products are known for their durability and energy efficiency, primarily due to their use of Fibrex® material. This composite material is made from reclaimed wood fiber and a thermoplastic polymer, making it twice as strong as vinyl and resistant to fading or flaking.
We can help you find the right door for your needs, and our team will ensure a precise installation. Schedule an appointment today to learn more or complete our contact form to receive a quote.
