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6 SIGNS YOUR STORM DOORS MAY NOT WEATHER THE SPRING

While spring can provide a reprieve from the worst of the wintery weather, warmer temperatures and higher humidity levels can also mean more serious rainstorms. Luckily, spring offers the opportunity for homeowners to evaluate the storm protection on their houses and repair any serious damage inflicted by harsh winter conditions.

One of the most vulnerable pieces of storm-proofing for your home is your entryway storm door. This door is often subject to direct precipitation, ice, and pressure from fallen snow during the winter months.

Take advantage of a clear spring day to assess your storm door and determine whether it needs replacement to weather the storms your area may endure throughout the spring and summer. If your door has significant damage, you may even want to upgrade early to ensure an early winter storm doesn’t take you by surprise later in the year.

In this blog, we list six signs that you should consider investing in a new storm door for your home.

  1. Cracks

Whether your storm door primarily has to keep out wind or moisture, the door must be fully intact to perform as it should. In addition to storm-related intrusions, cracked storm doors can let in insects. If you can see visible cracks in your storm door, consider replacement.

In some cases, cracks appear to only be surface level. However, these cracks may simply be too small to see on one side of your door. A windows and doors expert can help you determine which cracks are simple weathering and which are structural.

  1. Crookedness or Scraping

The efficacy of your storm door relies on several factors. In addition to the integrity of the door itself, as discussed in the previous section, an effective storm door must also fit securely into its frame.

If your door looks like it’s hanging crooked or scrapes against the sides of the frame as you open and close it, your storm door can’t effectively protect your home in inclement conditions. This issue can stem from another building problem like warped framing or foundation shifting. However, you made need a replacement door to solve the issue.

  1. Damaged Weather Stripping

The tight seal created when your storm door closes comes from weather stripping materials around the door’s edge. However, as this material ages, it can become brittle and crack or break off completely in places.

To check for weather stripping damage, close your storm door and look for any areas where you see light shining around the door. You can also look at the edge of the door for any inconsistencies in the weather stripping.

In some cases, a windows and doors specialist can replace damaged weather stripping on a storm door with no other issues. However, if the weather stripping is fully integrated into the door or the door has other damage, inadequate weather stripping may necessitate full replacement.

  1. Draftiness

The majority of storm door problems come down to gaps in the seal of the door, whether those gaps appear as cracks in the door’s surface, crookedness in the frame, or inadequate weather stripping.

However, these gaps are not always visible. Sometimes you’ll have to pay attention to other warning signs that can indicate a failing storm door, which we’ll discuss in this section and those following it.

One of the first signs you might notice of a bad storm door is a persistent draftiness. If you feel a breeze when you walk past your closed storm door, the door likely has one of the issues discussed in the previous sections that simply hasn’t become visible yet.

  1. Excess Ambient Noise

Many homeowners install storm doors not only to protect their homes from inclement weather but also to reduce the sounds of road and foot traffic from outside. As a storm door ages or when the door becomes damaged, however, the noise level may become substantially higher.

If you notice that the ambient noise in your home has become louder or more distracting even with your storm door closed, the door could be in need of repair or replacement.

  1. Inability to Lock Securely

In addition to noise control, storm doors can also offer homeowners an extra layer of security. However, many storm doors with structural issues like those discussed in section two resist locking securely and may eventually not lock at all.

If the door or locking mechanism cannot be repaired, you will need to replace the storm door to restore your home’s security.

If you notice any combination of the warning signs listed above, discuss your storm door options with a local professional. An onsite evaluation and personalized recommendations based on your climate, house architecture, and the upcoming forecast can ensure you make the best decision for your home.

Don’t wait to see if your storm door will hold up against gale-force winds or pouring rain — consider these characteristics your cue to replace the door and protect your home.

For a range of home exterior products, including trusted storm door brands, rely on Shank Door.

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