R-Value Of a Fiberglass Doors
The R-value of a fibreglass door is almost always higher than any other type of door that is made with a different type of material, and this is just one of the reasons that fibreglass doors stand apart from other ones. Fibreglass doors are highly sought after by homeowners because of their resistance to cracking, splitting or rotting (which is commonly a problem with wood doors) and they do not dent, corrode or rust (which is commonly found to be issues in steel doors). When a fibreglass door possesses core insulation, it can be five times more energy efficient than a wood door that is the same dimensions, while maintaining a strong resistance to heavy rain & snow, ranging temperatures (that are found within the three Canadian climate zones), high humidity and gusty winds. This higher R-value of a fibreglass door also ensures less aggravation, cost effective investment and proactive measures for the future & longevity of your entrance door. The R-value of a fibreglass door is the equivalent to the insulation value of a wall within an average home (without a glass pane present, the R-value of a fibreglass door is R-5 to R-6).
What Is R-Value?
The thermal efficiency (a measurement of thermal resistance) of a door is rated by its R-value, the higher the R-value is, the better the insulation factors are for that specific door. Our fibreglass doors are manufactured as a complete components system, where everything about the fibreglass doors works in perfect harmony, to ensure the tightest seal possible is performing at peak efficiency. Our company also ensures that your fibreglass door is weather stripped with high quality weather stripping, which works with the ability to form the tight seal. Believe it or not, having an air-tight door lends to blocking out more noise pollution from the outside, which is just one other big perk to fibreglass doors. Our manufacturing moulding techniques used (moulded around the CFC free polyurethane core) is what gives these doors their strength, without issues of warping, cracking or shrinking, from sunlight, moisture or temperature fluctuations.
Why is R-Value Important?
R-value of a fibreglass door is important because the higher the rating is, the better it can work for you to reduce energy losses. Air leakage is the biggest contributor of energy loss, so imagine your entrance door has air and drafts freely flowing into your home, during the winter months, you will most likely turn up your heating to counter-act the cold drafts. The same can be said in the summer months when you are possibly running an air conditioning unit, warm air flowing through your home will induce a higher setting on the cooling unit. Either way, you will experience energy loss, but a tightly sealed fibreglass door will prevent drafts and thus, you will use less heating/cooling energy. Fibreglass doors are also environmentally friendly…because they are free of chlorofluorocarbons. Our company carries the highest quality fibreglass stiles and rails, to ensure all sides of the door are protected from moisture, with steel reinforcement to avoid bowing, and to provide the desired thermal break. Keeping an eye on your fibreglass door over the years is easy, with a simple check annually of the condition of the weather stripping, make sure the hinges are tight, check the level of the exterior door sill to ensure it is still perfectly level, check the bottom door sweep for any damages (sliding a piece of paper under the door is a sound way of checking the sweep…if you can get a piece of paper under and threw, its time to adjust or replace the bottom sweep).
The Surface of Fibreglass Doors
One of the more appealing aspect to fibreglass doors is their ‘mock’ surface that looks and feels just like an authentic wood door. Fibreglass has the aesthetic appeal of wood with grain-like lines and come with stainable finishes (as well as painted finishes). Fibreglass doors provide outstanding performance when it comes to wear and tear over time, they can take the harsh outdoor weather elements, they are moderately dent-resistant (a severe impact will crack a fibreglass door), and are very low-maintenance. Simply washing your fibreglass door with just mild soap & water and rinsing very well to remove any residue, will be all the attention that your new fibreglass door will require.