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The winds are howling and storms are brewing this time of year. Every time you open your front door, Jack Frost comes in with a flourish. All of this wintery weather may have you wondering: should you install storm doors to better keep the weather out? The answer is: it depends.

Naturally evolving from wood framed screen doors, storm doors are usually made of aluminum these days and often have interchangeable screens and glass to do double duty, depending on the season.

Storm doors can add insulation and prevent drafts from sneaking in—or heated air from sneaking out—under your prime doors. Older doors are more likely to be inefficient insulators and will benefit more from an added layer of winter weather protection.

Newer doors are often better at keeping the cold out and the warmth in, particularly if they were installed correctly and have adequate weather stripping. If your main concern is increasing energy efficiency and you have brand new (or nearly new) exterior doors, you may not need storm doors. But check for air leaks all the same—even if you think your doors do a good job of sealing out cold winds, it’s not a bad idea to double check.

Storm doors can also be useful when the weather warms up. Acting as a perfect between-seasons option, storm doors with screen replacements can let in fresh air when summer is on its way (but hasn’t arrived in full force).

Another benefit of a storm door is added security. If you’re interested in putting one more barrier between the inside and the outside of your home, storm doors with laminated security glass are a good option. While you’ll still be able to see your main door through the glass, your storm doors will hold up better to damaging winds and possible intruders. You can also choose storm doors with deadbolts and protective grilles.

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