Simple Steps to Insulate Your Storm Door Before Winter

I’m always looking for ways to get my gas and electric bills down, so I finally got a thermal camera to see where hot and cold air was getting in. The main culprits were my doors, and that’s true for most of us.

Doors are some of the draftiest places our homes, letting in cold air in the winter and hot air in the summer. Storm doors can really help seal up those cracks. And insulating them takes that savings to the next level.

Here’s more about how storm doors work, how to make them more efficient and ways to add insulation to both front and cellar storm doors.

What Is a Storm Door?

There are two main types of storm doors: front/back storm doors and cellar storm doors. Both are designed to protect against weather and heat loss. That protection can also extend the life of the doors behind them, plus help keep out rodents, insects and other pests.

“Most people think of the full-view glass front variety slapped on over the main entry, but that’s just one flavor,” says home remodeler and contractor Danny Niemela. “There are also mid-rail storm doors with screens and rear-entry types that don’t match the trim, but still count.”

Cellar storm doors cover cellar stairs and basement access points, and usually open outward. They are an often overlooked major source of heat loss, since they’re exposed to wind and usually uninsulated.

How Storm Doors Impact Your Home’s Temperature

Storm doors create an air pocket between themselves and the inner door, insulating the air between. They also help stop drafts.

“Storm doors actually impact temperature a lot more than people think,” says Niemela. “Without that buffer layer, you are exposing your front door to direct wind and moisture, which means the inner door has to do all the work. And if you leave that old steel cellar door unchecked in the winter, you are basically running an open freezer under your house.”

Why Insulate Storm Doors?

When you insulate storm doors, it makes them even more effective at regulating inside temperatures, resulting in money and energy savings.

“It also prevents cold spots near entryways, making them more comfortable for people and pets,” says home inspector Reuben Saltzman.

Some storm doors do come with built-in insulation, but it’s often a good idea to insulate them further, says Niemela. “The hardware store version always promises ‘insulation,’ but usually that just means thin glass and a few vinyl strips,” he says. “A little extra work, or a smarter upgrade, and you can squeeze out a few extra degrees, plus avoid the shock of a $300 utility bill.”

How To Insulate Your Front Storm Door

Weatherstripping

For newer doors, start by filling perimeter gaps with self-adhesive foam weatherstripping. A 30-foot roll is plenty to cover a 36″ x 80″ door. For older doors, especially those with warped frames, Niemela suggests stacking high-density foam tape or adding a magnetic vinyl strip to improve the seal.

“Nothing fancy, just solid contact between the door and frame,” he says. “Pro tip: the fastest way to ruin a storm door’s efficiency is to skip cleaning and degreasing the frame before sticking anything down. If that tape lifts, the air comes right back.”

For a longer-lasting seal, Saltzman recommends rubber or vinyl strips. Again, clean the surface before applying, and avoid stretching the material, since it will shrink over time.

Shrink-Film

For glass inserts, clear shrink-film insulation adds another thermal layer. It’s inexpensive and can be installed in about 20 minutes with help from a hair dryer. “Window film kits can make a glass storm door almost as good as a triple-pane window, at least for a season or two,” says Niemela.

Door Sweeps and Caulking

In most situations, it’s also wise to install a door sweep at the bottom to block drafts. “Adjustable aluminum sweeps with a rubber seal are more durable than stick-on versions,” says Saltzman. “Measure twice before cutting to size.”

Also, If there are gaps where the frame meets the exterior siding, use exterior-grade caulk to fill them. Work on a dry day above 40°F for best adhesion.

Foam Batting

For doors you almost never open, such as a defunct side door, the simplest solution is to throw some foam batting insulation between the two doors, says builder Jonathan Palley.

How To Insulate Your Cellar Storm Door

Add Panels Or a Secondary Door

A good solution is to attach rigid foam insulation panels to the inside of a cellar storm door. Alternatively, you can build a simple insulated panel from 2″ foam board wrapped in plywood.

If your interior cellar has stairs leading up, a secondary interior door is often the best option, says Niemela. “Even a basic wood slab mounted inside the frame can cut down airflow by half,” he says.

Add Weatherstripping

Just like on front doors, foam weatherstripping around the lip can help seal up gaps. “Just watch for water pooling,” says Niemela. “If it is a Bilco-style metal double door, those things are ice chutes in winter.”

Replace the Door

If the storm door rattles or the hardware is shot, swap it for an insulated unit (often that task can be DIY-able, or you can hire a contractor). “Sometimes a full replacement is the way to go,” says Niemela. “Decent ones start at $250, but it is money well spent if your original is pre-1990 and feels like tinfoil.”

Create a Temporary Fix

A quick, temporary solution is to just hang a thick blanket, like a moving blanket, over the entryway. “If you’re stuck in a pinch, an old quilt over a cellar entrance for a few weeks of hard freeze can keep pipes from bursting and block enough cold air to matter,” says Niemela. “No shame in a low-tech fix if it works.”

About the Experts

• Danny Niemela is a professional home remodeler, contractor, and vice president and CFO at ArDan Construction, a luxury home remodeling company in Scottsdale, Arizona. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Greater Phoenix Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).
• Reuben Saltzman is CEO and home inspector at Structure Tech Home Inspections in Minnesota. He has more than 25 years of experience in the trades and inspection industry.
• Jonathan Palley is CEO of Clever Tiny Homes, where he uses new technology to design and build quality, affordable tiny homes to help make a dent in the housing crisis.

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