Everybody knows the signs of sunburn, but homeowners should also become familiar with the signs of sun and heat damage to their front door before summer makes any potential problems worse. Our warm weather months here in southeastern Wisconsin may be brief, but they easily last long enough to take a toll on your entry door, affecting the look of your home, reducing energy efficiency and even damaging your door locks and impacting your security.
Start taking protective measures now before those 80- and 90-degree days return. Your home, energy bills and family will benefit from any of these simple steps.
Start With Security—Summer Heat Can Compromise Door Locks
Wood doors are especially susceptible to this problem, as they expand more than others in the summer heat and humidity. When an entry door exposed to intense heat expands, its lock can become difficult to turn; it might even get stuck in one position. Within the lock mechanism itself, high temperatures can dry out the lubricant necessary for the proper operation. Consider applying a lubricant to the lock as part of regular maintenance.
Apply a UV-Resistant Finish
Direct summer sunlight exposes your entry door to harmful UV rays. Without protection, these UV rays can warp and crack the door while also fading the color. Using a UV-resistant finish on your entry door protects it with a barrier that filters out the damaging rays. Keep that protection fresh by cleaning your door regularly and occasionally reapplying the finish.
Create Shade With an Awning
Another option adds an attractive look to your home while adding protection. A weather-resistant canopy or awning designed for the outdoors adds shade to your entryway, minimizing heat buildup by the door and, of course, blocking those harmful UV rays from the sun.
Care for the Windows in Your Entry Door
Any glass in your door will experience damage from extended exposure to hot summer sun. Window film with UV protection is an effective way to ensure protective measures extend to all parts of the door. These special films do more than just block UV rays, though. They are transparent and help prevent fading and discoloration in the glass. Crucially, they also help improve energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer.
Keep Up Routine Maintenance
Direct summer sunlight exposes your entry door to harmful UV rays. Without protection, these UV rays can warp and crack the door while also fading the color. Using a UV-resistant finish on your entry door protects it with a barrier that filters out the damaging rays. Keep that protection fresh by cleaning your door regularly and occasionally reapplying the finish.
Keeping Your Entry Door Energy Efficient
Proper ventilation throughout your house is a simple way to maintain energy efficiency and also preserve your entry door. Keep your interior doors open during the summer, so air will circulate better throughout your home. This prevents trapped heat from building up at the front door, because trapped hot air by your entry door can damage it.
Identify When It’s Time To Replace an Entry Door
Other than obvious signs of damage or a dated entry door, try these easy safety checks for compromised energy efficiency that’s costing you money.
- Slide a dollar bill under the door. If it moves freely, you likely have air infiltrating your home.
- Wet your hand on a cool or windy day and pass it along the edges of your entry door. If you feel cool air or a breeze, it’s another sign air is leaking in and out of your home.
A new, energy-efficient door can cut your costs and increase comfort, which goes a long way in the summer heat, but especially during our cold Wisconsin winters! We’ll help you get started with all the options available to make a new entry door look and function exactly how you need it to.
