You can definitely put a storm door over your current fiberglass door. While fiberglass doors are already sturdy enough as it is, a storm door can provide your front door extra protection from the elements, as well as added security for your home.
Lighter colors help preserve your fiberglass door, as they absorb less heat than darker colors. Adding a storm door -- particularly a non-vented variety -- to your fiberglass door may actually heighten the chance of damage in particularly hot climates, as trapped heat between the two doors may cause warpage and fading.
Fiberglass doors can warp when installed incorrectly, when they have poorly structured internal frames, or when they get in direct contact with extreme heat. It's crucial to make sure you install each door properly, especially when your door's inner frame isn't sturdy enough.
Storm doors typically come with a frame. Sometimes the door is pre-hung on the frame, and other times it is part of a boxed package. Most manufacturers will also include an installation kit that contains all the materials you will need to fix the storm door successfully.
Lowe's is one of the most reputed brands in providing door installation service. On average, Lowe's charges $300-$850 to get a storm door installed that including labor force charge and supplies cost. However, accurate prices depend upon multiple factors such as material quality, supplies requirements, and labor force.
If you have a hacksaw, screw gun, a short level and a pair of side cutters and two to three hours, you're on your way to saving the cost of a professional storm door installation. Replacing an old storm door or installing a new one is a perfect Saturday morning project, even if you have limited carpentry skills.
It Doesn't Need a Storm Door's Protection
Storm doors offer some protection and increase your home's insulation from the elements, but fiberglass doesn't need a separate storm door for either reason. So nothing has to block the beauty of your new door.
Cracks. Cracking is a problem with some low-quality, inexpensive fiberglass doors. The fiberglass is rigid and can crack during cold weather when the material contracts. These cracks may simply damage the door's appearance.
Use acrylic, polyester, polyurethane, or epoxy resin paint on your fiberglass door. Try to pick a paint that matches the type of fiberglass for the best results. Do not use oil-based paints because these can damage the door. Fiberglass-friendly paints are often available in matte, neutral, and gloss finishes.
Once you've removed the layers, sand the door a bit with 120-grit paper. Clean the entire surface with a rag soaked in denatured alcohol. Apply a gel stain. Once it dries and you're happy with the color, apply at least two layers of fiberglass topcoat, waiting for it to dry between applications.
Fiberglass doors and sidelights can be smooth or textured with a wood-grain finish. This material usually does not need to be primed, but painting is required. Premium steel doors are factory-primed and should be painted but not stained.
But the real question is – are they secure? The short answer: yes. Fiberglass doors are secure and a valid option to consider when looking to replace your front entry door.
Fiberglass entry doors are super-durable. They do not rot, shrink, warp, or swell like wooden doors. They are as secure as any other type of doors.
Fiberglass doesn't shrink and swell like wood, so these doors won't stick in summer or let in drafts in winter. And the molded panels and window grilles won't require recalling.
Advantages of Fiberglass Exterior Doors
Durability – The material never warps, rots or rusts and can stand strong for decades. Performance – The entry system reduces heat transfer and boosts energy efficiency, thereby lowering your energy costs.
Fiberglass doors work well in almost any climate, even extreme cold and damp conditions. Unlike wood, fiberglass doors do not warp, crack, or rot. And unlike steel, the doors don't rust, scratch, or corrode. Fiberglass is built to last and will not require yearly re-finishing to stay in top shape.
Fiberglass Exterior Doors
In a reasonably protected location, a fiberglass exterior door will never need painting or staining and can last 15 to 20 years. Although it feels lighter than wood or steel, it is extremely durable and features an extremely durable coating that is difficult to breach.
If you kick a fiberglass door, it won't dent or ding. Plus, unlike a steel door it looks exactly like wood, and you can stain it (although it's a little more complex than staining a wood door). Even though fiberglass is a bit more expensive, it was actually more affordable than a new wood door with a storm door added.
Although wooden doors are durable, they're susceptible to damage from prolonged exposure to sun, rain, snow, humidity, and other elements. Fiberglass resists the effects of harsh weather and lasts longer, without the rotting, splitting, peeling, or delaminating that occurs in wood.
If your exterior door is exposed to the elements, then a storm door may be the way to go to protect your door. If you have a new, well insulated, energy-efficient exterior door, you may not need or want a storm door. If you live in a warmer climate, a storm door may not be the best option.
The Andersen storm doors with the 45-minute Rapid Install System is by far the fastest and easiest door I have installed. I attribute the fast install to an innovative design package. The entire door jamb and mortise lock are already installed, as is the bottom sweep and drip cap.
Storm doors refer to the glass door installed over your existing exterior door. They can add protection from the elements and increase home security, as well as let more natural light into your home. Storm doors that feature screens instead of glass are referred to as screen doors. They are made to ventilate your home.
When installing a storm door, the storm door handle and the entry door handle are located on the same side. If the jamb depth measurements are less than those required to properly mount your storm door, then the storm door handle may interfere with the entry door handle.