[SustainableTompkins] door purchase

[Joel and Sarah Gagnon]

Hi Marlo --

Any foam core door would rate well, assuming it is well weatherstripped as 
well. The options among fiberglass-faced doors are huge, so I am a little 
surprised you can't find anything you like. They are stable, durable, and 
easy to maintain.

Steel doors are also made with foam cores. To my eye, they look less 
attractive than fiberglass, but among the more expensive versions are some 
that look pretty good.

I have also made wood "sandwich" doors that have a foam board core 
overlayed with plywood or hardboard faces built up with applied "stiles" 
and "rails". Painted, they look like the customary solid wood doors (albeit 
fairly  simple ones). I wouldn't advise using them except in protected 
locations (i.e., where they won't see much water). They are not as stable 
as the steel or fiberglass doors. Like solid wood doors, they warp with 
changes in humidity and temperature. You can minimize that with proper 
finishes, but you can't eliminate it. The downside of these doors is that 
they can be pretty thick. Of course, that gives them a substantial "feel" 
or heft, not a bad thing.

Another option, less effective, would be to pair an ordinary wood door with 
a very efficient storm door. You can get those with foam cores as well. 
Keep in mind, though, that the glass area will  degrade the thermal 
performance of the door. That's true for the primary doors as well, of 
course, but we tend to want a lot of glass or screened area in our storm doors.

I guess a little soul searching is in order. What is attractive to you? Is 
it the artfulness of the door construction, an assemblage that pleases the 
eye? Is it the nature of the materials from which it is constructed? Are 
there some materials you especially like? If you can home in on what you 
most want, you can then narrow your search to the most energy-efficient 
choices within that realm. For excellent efficiency, your choices will be 
limited to foam-cored versions, of which there are many. Anything not 
available on the market can be custom fabricated if you want it badly enough.

Good luck!

Joel Gagnon

At 03:41 PM 6/26/07 -0400, you wrote:
>does anyone have advice about purchasing several exterior doors for our
>home?  i am a bit overwhelmed by choices and unimpressed by the appearance
>of the fiberglass doors.  i would like something attractive that has a very
>good efficiency rating.  is this possible?
>
>-marlo
>
>
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