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2022 was a shocker for households and businesses. Energy costs rose by 54 percent in April 2022 alone, and in October, another 27 percent increase made a further dent in disposable income and business overheads. Some relief was to follow - but in 2024, energy prices are still 59 percent higher than they were two years ago.
There’s some relief in sight, with the House of Commons predicting household savings of over £1.6K if energy prices continue to fall during 2024. But there’s more to this than meets the eye. If energy cost reductions can save so much annually, energy efficiency can save you even more, ultimately acting as a reduction to the costs of home improvements.
Doors, windows, and roofs are prime areas to take into account when future-proofing your home against energy scarcity and rising energy costs. In today’s article, we look at energy-efficient doors, what to look for, and what to avoid.
Door Energy Ratings
It’s interesting to note that door energy ratings exist. It underlines just how important energy-efficient doors really are - certainly, important enough for a rating system to have been developed.
There are two ratings to consider, R-value and U-value. R-value tells you the thermal resistance of a material of a certain thickness, and U-values measure thermal transfer. Thus, each is the inverse of the other. To be energy-efficient, materials should have a high U number and a low R number.
So far, this seems relatively simple, but do remember that the best doors are seldom constructed from a single material. Thus, you should consider the energy rating of the entire door assembly rather than just looking at the ratings of its outer materials.
At the same time, the way doors are installed is as important as the insulating properties of the door itself.
Wondering how this applies to your choice of energy-efficient doors? Here’s the bottom line. Consider the energy efficiency of door assemblies Install doors so that there are no gaps that allow for transfer between outdoor and indoor air. Consider extras like door closers - the longer doors remain open after use, the more warm or cooled air escapes.
Door Materials, Assemblies and Insulation
Materials are an obvious starting point for homeowners planning to boost domestic energy efficiency. But there’s more to the matter than just the energy efficiency of a single material.
For example, wood doesn’t conduct heat well, making it a relatively energy-efficient material. But if there’s only one relatively thin layer of wood between you and the outdoors, it may not be the most energy-efficient option.
On the other hand, while metal might seem like a poorly insulated material, that depends on the metal used. For example, aluminium has an excellent energy rating. In addition, door assemblies also make a difference. An assembly that is based on multiple layers with insulating material between them can be very energy-efficient indeed, outstripping the energy efficiency of the layer you can see from the outside.
This brings us to insulating materials, and once again, not all of them are created equal. Rockwool insulation remains the gold standard. It may not be the cheapest insulating material, but it’s extremely effective and, unlike polystyrene or fibreglass, it has high fire resistance. Topping off its benefits, it’s a comparatively sustainable product.
The bottom line? Don’t just consider individual materials - remember to look at the full assembly - including door seals. Hoping to shortcut the mental door dissection process? Energy ratings could be of help in your decision making - just remember that proper installation is key to getting the full benefit.
Smart Installation and Door Accessories
To illustrate the importance of installation that takes energy efficiency into account, let’s consider an energy-efficient front door.
Apart from hanging the door so that there are no unnecessary gaps, it makes sense to do something about the necessary ones. Simply put, a door won’t open and close easily if there aren’t gaps big enough to allow it to move smoothly.
But doors aren’t always in motion. In fact, they spend most of their time shut. At Stronghold Security Doors, we solve the problem with perimeter seals. Our drop-down seals are the ultimate way to prevent air exchange under doors. When you close the door, the drop-down seal falls into position. When you open the door, it raises.
Why Energy-Efficient Garage Doors Offer Easy Gains
The largest door your house has, garage doors are often overlooked in the drive towards an energy-efficient home. Of course, the amount of energy your choice of garage door can save depends on your garage and how you use it. Energy-efficient garage doors will be a help when:
- You spend a lot of time in your garage - for example, you use it as a workshop.
- You heat your garage or want to heat it.
- There’s a portion of your living area built over your garage as an upper floor.
- There’s a shared wall with a connecting door between your home and your garage.
Even if you have no heating in your garage, you should keep its energy efficiency in mind if it's attached to your house in any way. It makes sense. The better-insulated it is, the less likely it is to serve as an energy drain because of heat transference between your house and your garage.
Once again, doors, windows, walls, and ceilings are prime candidates for improved energy efficiency with the garage door offering some of the easiest gains. At the same time, the right garage door helps to keep your home secure. If it's a weak spot in your home security, it makes sense to get a double benefit by installing secure garage doors that are also energy-efficient.
Beautiful, Durable, Secure, energy-efficient: An All-in-One Solution With Stronghold Security Doors
Energy-efficiency is definitely a consideration when choosing doors for your home. Our security doors are fully insulated with rockwool inside the steel casing. However, if you opt for the very best, it’s fair to say that the cost-savings from energy efficiency won’t cover the cost of your door anytime soon.
However, with doors forming such a prominent part of any home, and security becoming an increasingly pressing issue, there’s no doubt that aesthetically-pleasing, highly secure doors add value to your property. Couple that with energy savings you’ll benefit from for decades, and you’ll have a solution that ticks all the important boxes.
So, before you embark on your home-improvement projects, take a moment to think about all the benefits of high-quality doors plus the potential for choosing a completely bespoke product. Inevitably, this train of thought leads you towards Stronghold Security Doors. Luxury, security, comfort and environmentally-friendly living combine here. Open the door to them today - your home is your stronghold. Contact us for more information or get a free quote for your secure and energy-efficient door today!
