Why Exterior Door Material Matters in the Canadian Climate?
The presented country, Canada, has non-contiguous and highly varying climate that varies from extremely cold winter weather to hot and humid summer. Such conditions impose diverse requirements to homes and to the external doors in particular as these are the entrance to the house and to the external environment. Deciding on the material of exterior doors in Canada is wise not only in terms of look or design, but also for its capacity to save energy, protect from invasions, and withstand the unfavourable climate. But why is the type of material used in the construction of exterior doors important while we live in the Canadian climate? What are the tips how this decision will pay off to the homeowners?
The Impact of Canadian Weather on Exterior Doors
Of the doors, exterior doors are a challenge since they have to be made for the Canadian climate. Exterior doors should be able to function well under extreme weather conditions such as heavy snowfall and extremely low temperatures, high levels of humidity and scorching sun. Lukewarm door construction materials pose such inconveniences as warping, rusting, cracking, and hence a poor energy efficiency leading to high heating and cooling costs.
For your exterior doors to withstand the battering and remain functional all year round you need to choose materials that are suitable for the relatively harsh climate in Canada.
Common Exterior Door Materials for Canadian Homes
Some of the most common materials that are used in the manufacture of exterior doors are as follows, and they all have their shortcomings as far as performance in Canada’s climate is concerned.
Steel doors are one of the favorite kinds of exterior doors Canada and it is easy to understand why. Amazed by how strong they are making them also the perfect security for your home. They do not crack or warp due to temperatures changes during the year and thus making steel doors ideal for use.
Besides the issue of durability, it is also important to point that when fitted with appropriate cores, steel doors are also rather energy-efficient. This makes them the best to be used by homeowners who want to cut down on costs that are charges on energy. Steel doors are also produced in different types of finishing through which one is able to select the type of finishing that pleases their eye. On the other hand, one can notice that steel doors can rust especially where there is plenty of humidity in the air or close to the sea which makes it necessary to paint it regularly.
Fiberglass doors are one other great choice for Canadian homes as a result of they’re so versatile and immune to climate, too. These doors hardly crack, warp or rot and incorporate well into areas receiving heavy snow or rainfall. Also, fiberglass doors do not rust as other types of doors such as the steel doors hence they are easy to maintain.
This is in addition to other benefits such as durability, versatility, energy efficiency as well as dimensional stability. They have often an insulated core that ensures that the indoor conditions are adequately maintained in terms of the temperatures, and hence are useful in the saving of energy during the two seasons. Fiberglass doors can also be made to look like Wooden doors and thus, give the homeowners the outlook of wooden doors with less costs of maintenance. This material is appropriate for the climate in Canada since it can stand very cold and very hot with very high humidity.
Wood doors are long-lasting and gorgeous, without a doubt which may be why they are preferred by homeowners looking to add some warmth into the rooms. But in the climate of Canada wood door becomes a very sensitive issue. Wood on the other hand resists wear and tear, but individuals exposed to moisture, fluctuating temperatures, or direct sunlight become warped, swollen or cracked.
However, wood doors can only effectively be used if quality wood species are used such as the oak or the mahogany, and the proper sealing has to be done and the wood properly protected from the weather conditions in the region especially Canada. Even wood needs TLC and it has to be stained or painted to avoid the damages of weather on the material. If well taken care of, wood doors are one of the best when it comes to style and durability but not so suitable for those homeowners who want nothing to do with tricky maintenance especially in areas with harsh weather conditions.
Aluminium doors are therefore ideal for exterior doors found in areas where there is a lot of exposure to salty moisture as aluminium is a corrosion resistant material which needs a lot of maintenance thus relatively cheap. They can also be easily finished in different types of finishes and style and therefore are easy to incorporate into the design.
Yet, it is not as energy friendly as other types of construction materials, which means that people who own a house in the colder parts of the Canada will have to spend money to buy insulination for their homes to remain warm inside. Aluminum doors are most preferable for the areas where winter is not as harsh and durability along with rust resistant property is desired.
Why Energy Efficiency Is Critical in Canada?
Because of climatic conditions of Canada where winters are cold and summers are hot efficiency of energy is an important factor to consider when choosing exterior doors. Selecting the right door material makes a big difference on the level of insulation of your home and therefore control of heating and cooling costs.
The fiberglass and steel doors that have an insulated core are the most efficient at controlling the process of heat transfer and thus allowing to keep warm air inside during the winter and cool air inside during the summer. Even though the wooden doors are esthetically pleasing they are not the best insulators and aluminum ones can conduct heat so additional barriers must be placed.
Security and Durability
Two, the choice of the exterior doors depends on their ability to withstand different weather conditions and their security characteristic. Steel doors are regarded to be the most secure due to their ability to resist force and attempts to break the door. Fibre glass doors also have a good security feature and the wooden doors also have been improved on the lock systems to provide security.
Looking at the endurance, the most popular materials are steel and fiberglass especially in the climate of Canada. They both provide good withstanding to the effects of weather hence require almost negligible maintenance. I prefer wood doors because they are strong and do not require frequent replacement but they are a bit hard to maintain especially from water damages and thermal shocks.
Conclusion
The choice of the material that the exterior doors should be made of matters most especially in the climate of Canada. This article will help the homeowner to understand the consequences of choosing the right material that is ideal for the climate, durability, insulation or looks and security to enhance comfort, safety and the efficiency of the home. These doors include; Steel and fiberglass doors are the best where the homeowner desires a door that is easy to maintain, energy efficient or resistant to weather conditions. Despite they look more classy wooden doors are less durable for the climate of Canada and therefore need more attention for its maintenance. If you’re going to invest on some exterior doors, it is a wise decision to pick the right material that would not only add and complement your existing home design, but would also serve as protection from the different natural forces for a number of years.