Choosing a storm door is a big decision. Storm doors protect your home and interior door from the elements, so selecting the right one matters. The storm door you choose affects your home's energy efficiency, structural protection, and curb appeal.
What to Look for in Any Storm Door
Before exploring storm door styles, keep these essentials in mind:
- Door sweep: A strip of flexible plastic or rubber along the bottom of the door. It blocks snow, rain, wind, pests, and noise while preventing conditioned air from leaking out.
- Aluminum construction: Almost all storm doors are made from aluminum with a foam core. An aluminum exterior withstands the elements and stays in good shape for years.
- Color and finish: All storm door types come in a range of colors and finishes, including decorative metallics. A contrasting color is an easy way to boost curb appeal.
Types of Storm Doors
There are five primary types of storm doors to choose from. Each offers different levels of visibility, ventilation, and security. Understanding your storm door options will help you decide what is the best storm door for your home.
Full View Storm Doors
A full view storm door has glass panes on the top and bottom, giving you an unobstructed view when the interior door is open. This storm door style is ideal for:
- Back doors where parents need clear sight lines to watch children in the yard
- Pet owners who want to keep an eye on animals outside
- Showcasing a decorative front door or seasonal decorations like wreaths
The full view design frames your interior door much like a picture frame. However, you'll need to manually swap the glass panel for a screen when warmer weather arrives, and storing the glass panel safely can be a challenge — especially with kids or pets in the home.
Mid View Storm Doors
A mid view storm door is one of the more traditional storm door types. Glass extends from near the top to about 18 inches from the bottom, where a metal kick plate protects the lower portion of the door.
The kick plate makes this a smart choice for high-traffic entries. Kids can be rough on the door without damaging the glass, and small pets can peer over the kick plate without scratching or chipping it. If your storm door will see daily use, a mid view is generally a better fit than a full view.
High View Storm Doors
High view storm doors have a single pane of glass in the upper half and a solid lower panel. This design is best for:
- Families with small children constantly going in and out — no fingerprints or breakage risk on the lower half
- Owners of medium to large dogs who might scratch or break lower glass
- Homeowners who prioritize energy efficiency, since the solid lower panel insulates better
The tradeoff is less natural light and ventilation compared to full view or mid view storm door styles.
Ventilating Storm Doors
A ventilating storm door is available in mid-view or high-view configurations. What sets it apart is that the screen and glass share one panel — a toggle switch drops the glass inside the door, leaving only the screen exposed.
This eliminates the hassle of removing and storing glass panels each season. If you live in a climate with four distinct seasons or unpredictable temperature swings, a ventilating storm door is often the best storm door option for convenience.
Security Storm Doors
A security storm door features decorative metalwork on the exterior that reinforces the door while still letting light in. Key security features include:
- Metal bars and scrollwork that are both attractive and difficult to breach
- Shatter-resistant glass that holds together on impact
- One-way irreversible screws that prevent the door from being removed from its hinges or frame
Even if the glass is broken, the combination of shatter-resistant material and metalwork makes entry extremely difficult.
If you're having trouble deciding among these storm door options, ask the experts. They can recommend the best storm door type for your home based on your needs and preferences.
Feldco Storm Doors
We offer durable, energy efficient storm doors in many different styles and color options. Let us help you find the right storm door — we'll go over your preferences, create your custom door, and handle the installation.
We have serviced over 500,000 homes across the Midwest and have been in business for over 50 years. You can trust us with your home renewal projects, so get a free quote to get started today.
866-4FELDCO