We often talk with homeowners in our Cary, NC door sales store about features that can improve a home’s energy efficiency. Thermal break doors are one such feature that many homeowners are not familiar with.
Read on to learn about how thermal break doors can improve your home’s energy efficiency.
What is a Thermal Break?
A thermal break is a barrier that is placed between the inner and outer frame of a door. It is made of a material that does not conduct heat well, such as fiberglass, resin, or other composite materials.
The purpose of a thermal break is to prevent heat from transferring from the inside to the outside of the home, or vice versa. This can help to improve the energy efficiency of your home and save you money on your heating and cooling bills.
How Does a Thermal Break Work?
When heat passes through a material, it is transferred from one molecule to another. The faster the molecules move, the hotter the material is.
Materials that conduct heat well, such as metal, have molecules that move quickly. Materials that do not conduct heat well, such as fiberglass, have molecules that move slowly.
A thermal break works by interrupting the flow of heat through a door. Placed inside the frame of the door, the barrier serves to prevent heat and cold from easily transferring from outside your home to inside, and visa versa.
Benefits of Thermal Breaks
There are several benefits to having a thermal break on your doors and windows. These include:
- Improved energy efficiency: Thermal breaks can help to improve the energy efficiency of your home by preventing heat from transferring from the inside to the outside, or visa versa. This can save you money on your heating and cooling bills.
- Reduced condensation: Thermal breaks can help to reduce condensation doors. Condensation occurs when warm, humid air meets a cold surface. The thermal break creates a barrier that prevents the warm air from reaching the cold surface, which can help to reduce condensation. This can, over time, prevent water damage inside your home at the door’s threshold.
- Increased durability: Thermal breaks can help to increase the durability of your doors. They can protect the frames from the elements and prevent them from warping or cracking.
- Added security: Thermal breaks can help to increase the security of your home. They can make it more difficult for burglars to break into your home through a door.
Summary
A thermal break is a valuable addition to your front door in many climates. It can help to improve the energy efficiency of your home, reduce condensation, increase durability, and increase security.
If you are shopping for new exterior doors, you’ll want to understand all of the options available to you.
Window Works Co. has helped thousands of families in the Raleigh, NC area find the doors they love. We’d love to help you, too!
Use the form below to tell us a bit about your door needs. Then we’ll be in touch to schedule your free, no obligation in-home consultation.
