Importance of Energy Efficiency

An average home may lose up to 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy through in-efficient doors and windows. This can be due to a lot of reasons, but mostly because of out-dated technology, poorly sealed doors, and single pane windows. Most homeowners are well aware of this after walking into a room with old windows, and feeling the unsettling winter chill. Over the years there have been monumental improvements in door and window energy efficiency technology.

Doors and Windows that pay for themselves

Here at Discount Door and Window, we have selected products that we have found to be very energy efficient, durable and low cost. All of our windows qualify for a Tax Rebate if you use them to replace old aluminum or wood windows. This is because the amount of energy you save is large enough that the government wants to encourage homeowners to make the upgrade. With this tax rebate, and monthly savings on the energy bill, our retrofit vinyl windows will pay for themselves within a few years.

Energy Efficient Technology

There are a lot of qualities that attribute to how efficient our doors and windows are, but the most distinguishing features are the double pane with argon gas and Low-E technology. Low-E is short for "low-emissivity." It is a high-tech coating on the glass that is designed to block much of the heat and ultra-violet light from the sun, while permitting a large percentage of visible light. Argon-filled double pane glass provides excellent insulation. These technology help keep the warmth in during the winter, and the heat out the summer.

Measuring Efficiency

When purchasing new windows or doors, there are two key measure of efficiency that should be considered. The U-value of a window or door is a measure of heat loss. And the “Solar Heat Gain Coefficient” (SHGC) which measures how well a product blocks heat from the sun. For both of these measurements: the lower the number the higher the efficiency. These numbers are calculated by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). Our windows at Discount Door and Window have a U-Value of atleast 0.3

Conclusion

If you have old doors and windows in your home, you have a lot to gain by replacing them with higher efficiency products. It will increase the comfort and style in your home, and save you money on your energy bill. Here at Discount Door and Window our goal is to provide you with replacement doors and windows that are affordable, durable, and energy efficient. We also empower you to make informed decisions by providing information, and video tutorials on how to get stuff done in a cost effective way.

Should I Get Wood or Fiberglass Door?

A common question... here are some facts/benefits of fiberglass doors to help you decide:




1.) No unsightly screw plugs around glass on either side: Our exclusive SmartFrame™ Snap-On Frame creates a completely unblemished surface.

2.) Stainable and paintable wood grain skin, or paintable smooth skin: Distinction Doors fiberglass skin is paint and stain ready.

3.) Triple pane decorative glass: Triple pane decorative glass provides excellent thermal insulation.

4.) Fiberglass skin won't dent, ding or rust: Unlike steel doors, Fiberglass is unaffected by moisture and humidity.

5.) Extended lock block resists forced entry: Our 20" extended lock block adds security and peace of mind to your entry.

6.) Beautifully detailed architectural panels: Distinction Doors are designed with deeper shadow lines and better curb appeal.

7.) Waterproof composite stiles: Distinction Doors use a nonporous composite edge instead of a regular wood edge so it will never rot or warp.

8.) Insulated core: Our environmentally-friendly insulation provides maximum thermal protection.

9.) Waterproof composite top and bottom rails: Extra non-porous protection keeps water from seeping into the door.



Hydroshield Technology

Exclusive water-resistant seal protects these doors against water infiltration on all sides to prevent water damage such as warping, delamination, corrosion, rotting, and the buildup of mold and mildew.

This Hydroshield seal consists of:

Fiberglass Reinforced Door Skins: Our high-impact compression molded skins will not splinter, dent, warp, rot or rust. Surfaces are easy to stain or paint, and easy to clean. Our deep-profile fiberglass skins create stronger dimensions and crisper shadow lines. Architecturally correct stile and rail proportions enhance the door's traditional oak appearance.

Full-length Composite Stiles: Our full-length composite stiles provide complete waterproofing for the door's insulation. Composite stiles have two times the screw-holding capabilities of traditional wood-edged doors and will never splinter like wood or delaminate like steel.

Composite Top & Bottom Rails: High-strength engineered composite top and bottom rails prevent moisture from seeping into the door. Bottom rails will also accommodate a range of door sweeps.

Slab Door Vs. Pre Hung Door

A Slab Door is a rectangular slab of wood, fiberglass or steel. It is the door by itself without frame, hinges and hardware.

A Pre Hung Door comes with everything needed to install and setup. It is a door slab that comes with its own frame and hinges.


Pricing
Slab Doors are cheaper than Pre Hung Doors since they are missing the frame and hinges.


How To Choose?
Generally speaking, people usually get a Slab Door if the door they are installing is the exact same size and setup as the door being replaced. Any difference in door size or screw locations can make it difficult to make your door hang properly. If you already have a door frame in place, a slab door is probably the best option for you.

Get a Pre Hung Door if you are constructing a new room or your existing space is damaged from restoration work.


Click here to view our selection of doors.