High SHGC entry door
Illinois_Prairie
| Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on
I’m looking for a reasonably priced, fiberglass entry door with decent air sealing that I can easily order from lumber yards or one of the big box stores here in the Midwest where I can specify high SHGC glass as it is under a deep overhang from a porch and the sun angles work really well for shading during Summer. I know SHGC from a full or 3/4 light door isn’t going to make a huge difference, but if I can order one and not break the bank I’d like to. It seems odd, many vendor had plenty of glazing options for the windows but for doors it seemed to be low SHGC only.
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Replies
Hi Shane,
I don't know what you are going to find in terms of budget entry doors, or what will be available at a big box store, but at a good lumberyard or window and door showroom, you should be able to specify the glazing for your entry door. I know for example, that Marvin offers a bunch of different performance options for the glass in their entry doors including high SHGC low-e glass. I'm sure that other brands have options as well. What these doors will cost, I cannot say.
"Fiberglass entry door with decent air sealing."
I have two fiberglass entry doors that both leak air like a sieve. They are single-point of compression; at the lock set. I am convinced that only triple-point compression doors can be "airtight" over time; all doors, even fiberglass end up bowing without three points of compression.
Wish I had known about this for Therma-tru doors: https://www.thermatru.com/professionals/education-center/2017-new-products/multi-point-locking-system-handlesets/.
Peter
I choose Marvin Integrity with high SHGC “Low E1 w/Argon” glass on the south facing windows, but their door options are really limited to patio style. Plus, from a pricing standpoint, the difference in cost between them and a typical fiberglass door might pay for the entirety of my utility costs for the next year.
Multi Point Locks are an excellent suggestion, I may just give up on a high SHGC door but order a comparatively inexpensive Therma-Tru with that feature, unless someone has an even better suggestion. Although I like the idea of high SHGC glass, it likely isn’t practical for the front door.
Shane,
Much like the discussion we have been having around the problems that occur when you have framing crews responsible for air-sealing sheathing, if you do go with multi-point locks on your doors I'd suggest getting the supplier to send out an installer to hang them and make the necessary adjustments,. I've found they aren't half as forgiving as standard doors.
See what Kohltec has to offer. I installed a triple glazed high SHGC glass sliding door 5+ years ago and the price was very reasonable and has functioned well.
https://www.kohltech.com/doors/entrance-systems/