Best Storm Doors and Screen Doors for Your Home

Door frames come in a variety of materials and designs, with some incorporating intricate glass patterns. Choosing your ideal door depends on a number of factors, including where you live and what kind of performance and longevity you expect. Most storm doors are built using steel, aluminum, composite or vinyl frames.

Here’s a little more info you can use when looking for the best storm doors for your home:

• Steel doors feature solid construction for lasting, dependable use. They're dent-resistant and won't rot, split or warp. These are the best storm doors for long-term and heavy-duty installation.
• Aluminum frames offer a lighter alternative to steel, but with more strength than wood or vinyl.
• Composite frames have the makeup to combat extreme weather conditions, including salt spray, high insect population, high humidity, moisture, moss and more.
• Vinyl frames are also capable of standing up to the elements, while being an economical choice. Treated vinyl doors are available for coastal markets. This is one of the most common types of storm doors homeowners buy when looking for a good value.

Safety Tip: If you have pets or children that tend to lean on doors, select a durable door frame constructed from strong material. This can prevent possible falls and injuries.

Modern storm doors do more than just allow additional light or offer added protection from harsh climates. Some have convenient slide-away, retractable screens, and others have interchangeable screen/glass panel combinations that you can swap for seasonal ventilation quickly with no tools needed.

Many different types of screen doors also help add an extra layer of privacy. From retractable styles to full-view looks, we’ve got a range of sizes to fit any storm door. Here are some of the common screen types for storm doors available now:

• Galvanized steel screens: Inexpensive, durable and designed to resist rust and tears, galvanized steel screens are a smart, economical choice for any home.
• Aluminum screens: Designed to resist rust and corrosion, aluminum screens tend to be slightly less effective in long-term use than galvanized steel. However, the cost is generally lower.
• Fiberglass: A great choice if you’re not too handy, fiberglass screens are super easy to install. They also resist corrosion quite well.
• Bronze: Very durable, but the most expensive, bronze screens are the gold standard if you don’t mind the extra expense and you like the look.

Storm doors come in a variety of designs to complement your home’s exterior and match your color scheme. Along with steel-look styles, we’ve got a range of storm door finishes and colors including:

Almond: Neutral and natural, almond storm doors blend in beautifully with your surroundings and lighter exterior color schemes.

Bronze: Stately and stylish, bronze storm doors are available in natural finished or dark oil-rubbed styles.

Black: Rich and dark, black storm door frames provide a modern look to your home. They can also pair well with homes that feature ironwork as part of their motif.

Not sure about a specialty storm door with a unique finish? Screen and storm door hardware can help you add a special touch or spruce up an existing door in a hurry.

• Handedness: When selecting a door, you'll need to know the "handedness" of the door. An easy way to do this is to simply open the door. Stand in the doorframe with your back along the hinges. If the hand by the doorknob is your right, it's a right-handed door. If it's by your left, you have a left-handed door.
• Locks: Look for storm doors with heavy-duty locks, three-point locking systems and shatter-resistant laminated safety glass to increase home security. These are often the best storm doors for all-purpose use as well.
• Hydraulic and pneumatic closers: Hydraulic and pneumatic closers prevent doors from slamming or being opened too quickly to prolong door life and reduce noise. Some models have closers that you can set with just the touch of your foot, and release by simply pushing the door away from the house.
• Pet doors: If you want to give your pets the freedom to go in and out of the house as they choose, some storm doors have built-in pet doors included.
• Installation: Some storm doors are easier to install than others, so keep this in mind when choosing your ideal type.

The right storm door and screen can vary based on your area. Here are some tips to help you choose from different types of storm and screen doors based on your climate:

• If you live in an area that experiences marked seasonal changes, a storm door can protect your main door from harsh weather in winter, or excessive sunlight in warmer months.
• If you live in an area that receives large amounts of sunlight, choose a door that blocks heat but allows plenty of light to come in, such as vinyl-coated fiberglass.
• Some storm doors further insulate exterior doors against the cold for greater energy efficiency. These models feature low-E glass, which is 29 percent more energy efficient than standard glass.