Ever heard of a blower door test? If you’re wondering how energy efficient your home is, this can help you solve your question. A blower door test is used to test a house to determine how airtight it is. The airtightness of a house is a very good indicator of how efficient a houses thermal envelope is. You can have great insulation in the walls but if there are leaks around power outlets, doors, windows and utility penetrations then the air leakage can offset the great insulation.
Green building isn’t cheap, so if you’re spending lots of money building an energy efficient house; don’t you want to know if it’s energy efficient? The best way to test your home for energy efficiency is to perform a blower door test.
The blower door test is very simple to perform for a qualified technician. You can find many qualified technicians in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. A blower door test apparatus includes three components. The components consist of a canvas door panel, a calibrated fan, and a device to measure fan flow and building pressure.
The calibrated fan is temporarily sealed into the exterior doorway using the canvas door panel. When the fan is turned on it creates a small pressure difference between inside and outside of the house. The pressure difference between the inside and outside of the house will cause air to leak through any holes in the building envelope. The tighter the building is, the less air that’s needed from the fan to create a change in building pressure.
The results from a blower door test can be used to calculate an HERS rating which is used to certify home for the Energy Star program. The blower door test results are used in conjunction with inspections of the homes insulation installation and design values from the plans to calculate the HERS rating. The lower the HERS rating the more energy efficient a home is. A rating of 100 is considered the average home while a rating of 0 indicates a net zero home.
The really nice thing about this test is you can walk around to suspect areas (windows, doors, openings) and look for drafts by using a simple smoke device. You can easily see drafts at these locations and determine corrective actions.
Even if you have an old house this test can be quite beneficial. You can perform the same tests using the smoke tracer to identify leaks in the building envelope. These leaks can then be sealed to improve the airtightness of the house. Many states and public utilities even offer these types of services for free in order to improve energy efficiencies in their areas.
By: Todd
The most used parts of any door are the smallest parts. Door knobs and door locks are used over and over again without much thought. How often do you have a guest come into your home and comment on what great door handles you have? On the other hand, we often notice when we’re entering or leaving a room or home and the door hardware is just awful. When looking to replace your door hardware there are three things you need to look for: safety, looks and price.
Safety
The most important aspect of any door hardware is the safety it provides for you and your family. You want to be certain that your entry doors contain two locks, with at least one deadbolt lock. Most doors come with an entry lockset which contains a lock that you turn from the inside and another, usually a deadbolt, which you can lock from inside or from the outside.
The security and ease of use of door locks continue to improve. Door locks that were once only opened by keys are now being opened through automated keypads. Hardware is being made better and of stronger material and the variety of strong locks has grown exponentially.
Looks
First things first, you want door hardware that matches not only the rest of the hardware throughout your home, but hardware that matches the theme of your home. Before you go out to purchase your new hardware, take a good look at your home, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where you have hardware on cabinets and drawers. You don’t want conflicting hardware on your doors and cabinets in the same room.
Like safety technology, the number of styles, colors and finishes is limitless. Your local big box retailer will have plenty of options to choose from, but local hardware stores will also have a number of options. From bronze to black to rust, the number of finishes continues to increase. Be sure to get a second and third opinion and it might be a good idea to buy one piece of hardware to take match to your home.
Price
Replacing hardware on all of your doors can be expensive and that’s not including changing the hardware for all of your cabinets and drawers. Your entry doors should always focus on safety first so price shouldn’t be a big factor in that decision. For other hardware in your home, try to find matching styles and finishes on ebay, at garage sales, and online hardware sites. Those places usually have the best prices.
For more information on door hardware please contact one of our Dallas-Fort Worth door contractors today.
Door mold can come in many different colors, shapes, forms and sizes and generally sets the tone for not only the door, but the area in which the door resides. If you live in an older home, restoring architectural trim will strengthen the tone and really define the different areas of your home. Door casings are both decorative and utilitarian, enhancing the look of the door while also concealing the transition between the wall and the jamb.
One of the most noticeable differences in newer homes and older homes are the detail to door trim and molding in older, traditional style homes. Older homes had very detailed doorways with large headers and thick and layered molding ranging in a variety of fancy styles. In the majority of newer homes, doorways are cased with the standard boring molding that can be purchased from any big box home improvement retailer.
Because most homes are no longer built to accommodate detailed and extensive molding, you may be wondering what options you have. If you want to settle for the prototypical mold and trim look in most new homes there is nothing wrong with that. If you prefer to give your home a luxurious touch then there are a few things you can do with your doorways to give your home an added dimension.
One good outcome of all new homes having standard door frames is that many people want something a little different. This has created a need for different molding to be manufactured. There are several manufactures that specialize in decorative molding, selling them as pieces or as kits. Molding kits are very easy to install and don’t require any long term professional experience, however if you would like help, there are several willing contractors in our Dallas Fort Worth Directory.
A few things to think about before you buy molding for your doorways.
Consider the style of your home – You want to make sure the molding matches the style of your home. Don’t go buy fancy molding kits with a Victorian edge when you own a ranch style home.
Buy more than you think you need – Just as a precaution, buy more molding than you think you’ll need in case you mess up. You want all the molding to match so it’s better to ensure you have plenty to start with, you can always take the extra pieces back.
Let the pieces of molding rest while they’re being installed – Wood has a tendency to swell with temperature changes. Have the molding and trim in the area of your home you are going to install so the wood has a chance to settle in with the surroundings and temperature of that area.
Prime, stain or paint the molding strips before you install them – This will save you lots of energy and effort as they are more difficult to deal with once they are up. You also don’t have to worry about taping off around them.
If you want your guests to be impressed with your home, then you better make sure you have an impressive entrance/exit area, because it will be the first and last thing they see. One way to make the entrance to your home more extravagant is by adding sidelights and transoms around your front entry door. Adding these can be very stylish and add a high curb appeal. Transoms and sidelights not only add a whole new dimension to your entry, they allow additional sunlight into your home, so you’ll use less electricity for lighting.
All major door manufacturers also sell sidelights and transoms while many sell them all together as sets. Installing an entry door with an attached sidelight requires just a little extra attention; especially if the sidelight is attached to hinge side of the door. Because the sidelight is between the door and the actual wall, there is no way to fasten the swinging door to the wall studs. This is normally accomplished by driving long screws through the top hinge. However, if the sidelight is fastened to the hinge side of the door, this step cannot be completed. Installing trim screws through the exterior jambs will aid in securing your door.
Sidelights and transoms come in various sizes, common sidelight sizes are 12”, 14” or 15”. Just like color and style, sidelights widths will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Per building code, sidelights will need to be tempered since they are low to the ground and are so close to a door.
Installation of doors is always important and will even be more important with sidelights because installation is different. If you would like to have a contractor come to your home and give you bids on a new entry door, transoms or sidelights please visit our contractor directory to find local professionals!
The majority of our posts at doors-101.com have focused on entry doors, or the doors on the perimeter of your home. This article focuses on wood interior doors, the doors that separate rooms from the rest of your home. Interior doors are made in a variety of ways, most involving some type of wood or wood-like material. The three types of interior doors are hollow-core doors, stamped hardboard doors and medium-density fiberboard.
Hollow core interior doors are a common choice for new homes. They have a solid wood frame that runs along the outside of the door while the surface of the door is typically covered by either plywood or hardboard. The inside of the door is constructed by a web of cardboard that allows the door to retain its shape. Hollow-core doors are susceptible to being dented or punctured if hit hard. One of the main drawbacks is that these doors offer very little insulation which means you will be able to hear through the door. These types of doors are also not a fire resistant as other doors.
Stamped hardboard interior doors are made from a fairly soft material that is typically covered with a hard coated paint. The advantage of the stamped hardboard is that it can easily be formed and stamped to fit the natural look of wood, however because it is soft it can also be dented. Some hardboard doors are hollow core while others are filled with foam or particleboard. If wet over a period of time the doors can swell and become a waste.
The new guy to the group is the medium-density fiberboard doors. The growth in popularity is the more natural look of the door and is less susceptible to denting because the material is harder than that of hardboard.
Many homeowners might wonder about solid wood doors. The problem with solid wood doors is that they are extremely heavy to handle and cause stress on the door frame. Additionally, as the temperatures fluctuate the solid wood has a tendency to swell as well. It should also be noted that you should never use an interior door for an entry door as interior doors aren’t as strong and will not hold up against the outside elements.
For more information on interior doors and to find a contractor in your area, please visit our Dallas-Fort Worth contractor directory for a reputable door contractor near you.
Perhaps the most important piece of your door is one of the smallest pieces in size. The difference between a safe, comfortable home environment and an unsafe home environment can hinge on those little pieces of metal. A few decades ago there weren’t many options when it came to door lock, but thanks to increases in awareness and technology there are hundreds of door locks to choose from.
Not all homeowners are aware that there is a grading system on door locks. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has set standards that are developed and maintained by The Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association which measures the security and durability of door locks. The locks that provide to be superior in both categories receive a Grade 1 classification.
As a homeowner purchasing new door locks, the first thing you want to do is ensure the locks you’re purchasing are Grade 1. You also want to make sure you are buying deadbolt locks. According to a study by the California Crime Technological Research Foundation, over 32% of burglars break in through a door or window. Burglars can tell the difference between a bad lock and a good one.
Let’s face it; there are a number of ways your door can be broken into. It can be kicked in, pried apart, door locks can be hammered until they fall off, they can be drilled out and so on. If someone wants into your home, with enough effort they’re going to get in. However, there are ways you can make it more difficult.
The first is a given and was discussed earlier, buy good door locks. Make sure your doors are locked at all times, even when you’re inside the home. Some burglars won’t wait for you to leave. If you give any keys out to people who may do work at your home, like housekeepers, make sure you switch locks if you let any of them go. A disgruntled former employee can easily use their key to do some damage. You can also take extra measures like installing steel plates on the backside of the door, buying anti-drill locks and buying locks with keypads.
If you aren’t sure which locks to install or how to install them we have several qualified contractors that are eager to help. Just take a look through out Dallas-Fort Worth contractor directory in the site.
For those homes that have screen doors, it is one of the first things that is seen by your guests when they arrive. It’s also the first, and last, part of your home you will encounter many times throughout your day.
Technically speaking, a screen door refers to a hinged door that is placed on the outside of your home’s exterior door. Screen doors can also be used to separate the main part of your home from outdoor patio areas. The doors are usually made of steel while the screen is mesh netting.
Having screen doors on your home can provide many benefits that exterior doors can’t provide. Here is a list of reasons you should consider screen doors if you don’t have them already:
- Screen doors give your home a unique and finished look. Today, more and more architectural designs involve the doors because its unique design can give the house a more sophisticated look.
- Screen doors allow air into your home while keeping insects and rodents on the outside.
- They can really brighten your home, allowing natural sunlight to flow through and limit the use of artificial light.
- Aside from saving you money on electricity that you’re not using from light, screen doors also allow you to not run your heating and air conditioning units. This saves you even more money!
- Screens provide proper ventilation for your home, keeping out odors and leaving you with a fresh breeze.
- Screen doors allow you to incorporate the outside environment into your home. Nothing beats the sound of nature.
Screen doors are very common in most parts of the United States, but mostly in moderate or warm climates. Screen doors are not difficult to install but could be for a beginner. This is something a contractor can do easily and fast.
When it comes to exterior doors, there are three main types to choose from: wood doors, fiberglass doors and steel doors. Today’s article will discuss some of the pros and cons of steel entry doors.
One of the most important features of an entry door is the security the door provides to protect those inside your home. Steel doors are made to offer more security than wood doors or fiberglass doors and they also have high fire ratings. Many inspectors will require a fire resistant door to be placed between the garage and the rest of the home.
Perhaps the most noticeable advantage steel doors have over the other door types is price. Steel doors also offer a lower price than wood doors and fiberglass doors. Solid wood doors can cost up to five times as much as a steel door.
Steel doors are also lighter than wood doors which helps prevent sagging in the door frame and are resistant to warping, cracking, twisting and sticking. However, steel doors are subject to dents and scratches. Additionally, steel doors have proven to wear more easily over time than fiberglass doors and wood doors.
One of the main complaints of the steel door is that they are less attractive than other types of doors. For this reason, many homeowners opt to go with fiberglass or wood for the front door of their home while placing steel doors on the side and back of their home. This enables homeowners nice curb appeal to the front of their home while saving money and adding security by buying the less expensive steel doors for the other sides of their home.
Interior doors can be a do-it-yourself project.
If you’re looking for a home improvement project you can do yourself, this is it! The simple process of changing out interior doors can make a dramatic difference on the inside appearance of your home.
Over the last few years, interior door manufacturers have expanded the styles and options of interior doors. Numerous styles are available and interior doors can be purchased as solid or hollow core units. Can’t find new doors that match the look of your old ones? Some home center stores actually have specialized door machines that will create a new door of any style to match the existing doors in your home.
To get started you will need a router, drill, hole saw, spade bit, wood chisel, and various screwdrivers in order to tackle this project. The good news is the hard work has already been done by the carpenter or mill that hung your original interior doors. You simply need to create hinge slots and door knob holes in exact locations on the new door. To accomplish this, you are going to use one of your old doors as a template.
Remove an existing door from its frame. Strip the door of its hinges, doorknob, and latch. Stand this door on edge and slide the new replacement door next to the old door making sure that the doors are going in the same direction! Using a square and a sharp pencil, transfer the old hinge locations onto the edge of the new door. Use the hinge to create the shape of the slot. Adjust the router depth and get to work. After the hinges are complete, recreate the door knob holes using the same transfer process.
If you do not feel comfortable in your skills as a carpenter or handy man, you can get someone out to do it for you at little cost. You can always try your skills out with a door that is rarely seen or used to gain some confidence in your handy work skills before you tackle every interior door in the house.
Doors with Built-in Mini Blinds
One of the best ideas that door manufacturers have come up with over the past few years is built-in mini blinds between the glass panels. Especially considering there wasn’t a great way to cover the glass in doors like there were for replacement windows. Typically French Doors don’t provide much privacy because of all the glass. If you wanted privacy with a French Door in the past you would have to install some type of blinds or a curtain attached to the door and those can get in the way and annoying.
This new invention is not limited to French doors however; mini blinds can be placed in nearly every type of door and window made. Blinds built-in between the clear insulated glass let you control light and privacy with the touch of a finger. Built-in blinds are perfect for entry doors, sliding doors and patio doors, where decorative glass is not required.
Blinds can be opened or closed by sliding a knob on the door. Additionally, the built-in blinds can be raised up or down with another sliding knob. If that wasn’t enough, some manufacturers offer motorized options where the blinds operate with the touch of a button.
No longer will you have to mess with cleaning the blinds or worrying about getting the blind cords all tangled together. You won’t have to worry about your pets or children pulling down your blinds and you will no longer dread cleaning days.
Your life just got a little less complicated!
