Think storm doors and envision the wood planks Dorothy's family pulls down over their tornado shelter in the Wizard of Oz? Or perhaps something much more apocalyptic, like thick metal plates to protect from alien invasion or a nuclear winter. Modern residential storm doors aren't really so grim. They provide insulation and efficiency, and, surprisingly, are glass. Here's the low-down on how storm doors work who needs them.

Storm Doors Create Pockets of Air

Whether you install your storm door inside or outside your main door, its purpose is to create an insulating layer of air. To make the glass an effective insulator, storm doors are made of either double-paned or special insulating glass.

Storm Doors Save Energy

Storm doors are effective insulators, particularly in bad weather (shocking). But they're also effective insulators when the weather's warm and you're relying your central air. The bottom line is that they boost your home's energy efficiency year round, not just storm season.

The Cost of Storm Doors

Storm doors are an investment that you'll recoup in energy savings, but energy efficiency is good for your wallet in other ways. In 2005, the federal government instituted a tax credit for qualifying storm door purchases - up to 10% of the cost of the door.

If you're looking for an attractive and affordable way to improve your home's energy efficiency, stop thinking about storm doors and buy one!

Sources

• Energy Information Administration
• Energy Star Tax Credits

About the Author
Dawn West B.A. holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and teaches writing at Oregon State University.