The winter season is upon us. These tips will help keep you cozy indoors, plus, what to do to prepare your doors.
As temperatures drop and days grow shorter, preparing your home for winter becomes essential — starting with your doors. Properly winterizing your doors helps keep your home warm and comfortable and boosts energy efficiency, saving you money on heating bills. A well-sealed, winter-ready door is the first step to ensuring your home stays cozy and protected during the colder months. Here, we share some tips for your door, plus extra steps you can take to make sure your whole home is ready for winter.
As the main barrier between the great outdoors and your living room, doors play a vital role in keeping your home nice and warm. Winterizing your home’s doors can reduce energy costs, improve comfort and make your home safer.
Doors are a primary way for cold air to sneak into your home, especially through any unsealed gaps or worn-out weatherstripping — according to ENERGY STAR®, air leakage can cause up to 40% of a home’s energy loss. This can lead to dreaded drafts, which make rooms uncomfortable and put more strain on your heating system. Addressing these areas is a key step toward a cozier, more energy-efficient home — plus, who doesn’t want to keep heating bills in check?
A quick draft test can help you identify any problem areas around your doors. Try holding a lit candle near the edges of your door (be careful!); if the flame wavers, there might be a draft. Check for any loose hinges, worn seals or cracks in the frame that could be compromising your door’s insulation. Spotting these issues earlier in the season gives you time to decide on the best solution.
Replacing worn-out weatherstripping and refreshing your door’s seal can work wonders for reducing drafts, but if you’ve ever gone down this DIY path, you know that perfecting the fit can be tricky — and not all weatherstripping is created equal. While new weatherstripping (and even a new door sweep) can help, it’s crucial that you choose quality materials and that everything is installed properly.
When it comes to doors that stand up to winter weather and are great for all seasons, the Masonite Performance Door System is the way to go. Designed specifically for resilience in the most extreme conditions, this door system takes the guesswork out of weatherproofing and offers more than just basic protection.
This exterior door system starts with a premium fiberglass door that has square edges for a precise fit and a rot-resistant door frame. The system also includes a superior seal that features a self-adjusting sill that automatically adjusts when conditions change, adaptive weatherstripping made of high-end, low-wick memory foam and enhanced corner pads. In third-party testing, it performed 64% better at keeping air and water out than the leading competitor, so you can say goodbye to leaks and drafts.
Whether you’re looking for a classic style like a 6-Panel door or want something with glass like the VistaGrande Flush-Glazed Full Lite, you can find the right door for your home this winter at Masonite.
Fiberglass is naturally insulating, and Masonite doors also come with a warranty for added peace of mind. The Performance Door System is backed by a 10-year limited full replacement warranty that includes the labor cost to re-install. The door slab itself comes with a limited lifetime warranty — limited lifetime meaning as long as the original owner occupies the residential home where the product was installed — so you can be confident you’re protected this winter and every winter after that.
With the Masonite Performance Door System, you’re ensured comfort, efficiency and security without needing to worry if you got that weatherstripping just right. Besides protecting from the cold, effective weatherstripping also keeps rain out of the home and prevents air conditioning from escaping during the warmer months.
Doors aren't the only consideration when it comes to preparing your home for the colder months. The rest of your home could use some attention too. Here is a handy list of things you might want to consider as you get ready to cozy up indoors for the season.
1. Perform a Heating System Check: An efficient heating system is a happy heating system. Regular maintenance helps it run smoothly when you need it most. To ensure your heating system is functioning properly, check your air filters and turn your furnace on — cranking up the temperature — and see if it turns on and your home starts heating up. Make sure your vents are clean and not blocked by any rugs or furniture.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat: Investing in a thermostat that lets you optimize energy usage is a great way to make sure your home is comfortable when you're there — and that you can save energy (and money) when you're not. Scheduling automatic adjustments for when you're asleep or away might give your energy bill a welcome drop.
3. Clear Gutters of Debris: Fallen leaves can clog up gutters, and clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, causing costly roof and water damage. A quick cleaning before the cold, snowy months could prevent a big headache next spring.
4. Drain Outdoor Hoses: Remove, drain and store hoses before temperatures drop to avoid frozen pipes.
5. Protect Outdoor Furniture: Prepare outdoor furniture with waterproof coverings to keep it protected and ready for spring — or bring that furniture into a garage or shed, if you have the space.
6. Trim Overhanging Branches: Snow and ice can weigh down tree branches, creating a risk for nearby structures. A quick trim prevents potential damage.
7. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Check that both have fresh batteries and are functioning. Colder months mean closed windows, making indoor air quality and safety even more of a priority.
8. Restock Your Emergency Kit: Winter weather can be unpredictable! Include extra flashlights, batteries and blankets in case of power outages.
9. Seal Windows: Prevent drafts by sealing windows with weatherproofing materials; it will add another layer of insulation between you and the elements.
10. Insulate Outdoor Pipes: Insulated pipes are less likely to freeze, meaning one less thing to worry about on frigid nights. Consider adding pipe wraps or spray foam to keep your pipes well-insulated.
11. Review Your Homeowner's Insurance: Winter weather can bring unique risks, so reviewing your policy for coverage on snow, ice or storm damage can give you peace of mind.
Prepping for home for the winter doesn't have to be complicated — a little goes a long way, especially when it comes to your entryway.
Ready for a door that will keep you and your family snug and secure the whole season? Explore the Masonite Performance Door System options and step into a more comfortable, efficient home today.
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