Art & Science – Storm Doors
How Does a Storm Door Work?
A quality storm door is designed and built to provide ventilation in warm weather (with the screen) and insulation in cold weather (with the glass). It also protects the interior door by providing a barrier against the elements. A storm door creates a “dead air space” between the storm door and the entry door that helps to insulate the home. Some storm door designs are naturally more airtight than others, but on the whole, storm doors are not built to be completely air or water-tight. Water infiltration is a natural result when the screen is in use.
BENT CLOSER ROD ON DUAL CLOSER DOOR
TRAPP® SAFETY SPRING
FOAM FILLED NON FOAM FILLED
SPLIT WOOD CORE DOOR
SCREWED-TOGETHER CORNER
HELIARC-WELDED CORNER
Why You Don’t Want or Need Two Closers
Many of the “Home Center” doors now advertise double closers. This concept creates sales appeal (two are better than one), however, it also prevents the use of a safety spring, offering zero protection against wind damage. Two closers on a storm door seem like a good idea – until the wind blows the door wide open at significant force and bends the closer rod.
By comparison, Trapp® Storm Doors come standard with a safety strap at the top of the door that prevents the door from being blown open by the wind. The combination of a hydraulic closer and a safety spring is required for a superior door installation and works better to prevent wind damage. This engineered wind protection is further evidence that Trapp® Storm Doors are designed for real life contingencies.
The Foam-Filled Frame Energy Myth
Many storm doors made today are sold as “insulated” doors, with the claim that the foam insulation in the frame somehow insulates the home. But tests show that foam-filled aluminum storm doors do not insulate any better than a conventional storm door without foam. These photos show a piece of dry ice applied to the outside of a foam-filled door and also to a Trapp® foam-free storm door. The thermometers attached to the doors show that both inside and outside temperatures of the aluminum are virtually the same. As the photo shows, the temperature on the inside and outside of the door will be the same whether it is foam-filled or not.
The Difference Between Aluminum and Wood Core Doors
Wood core storm doors are not impervious to water damage. When wood gets wet, it can expand. This photo shows a case where a wood core storm door expanded due to moisture. The expansion caused the panel to split.
Why Welded Corners?
A welded corner is the strongest type of construction available for a storm door. We guarantee it.
Consider the strength of a continuous weld holding your door together compared to a corner held together with sheet metal screws. This photo shows what can happen to a screwed-together corner on a non-welded storm door. The screws in the edge of the door have given way and the door has split at the corner. This will never happen with a Trapp® Storm Door with heliarc welded corners. The weld is guaranteed never to break. If it does, we replace the door. It’s that simple.
Does it Take Six Weeks to get a Custom-Sized Storm Door?
No way.
We can make almost any size, from 24” to 48” wide and over 100” high, with typically a 2-3 week turnaround; and because it’s a welded corner, you can be sure your Trapp® Storm Door will continue to operate properly for years to come, without sagging or separating.
And getting parts for Trapp® Storm Doors is no problem. We have replacement parts for all of our doors, some going back over 50 years!