Storm door/security door

[czgunner]

I'm in Northern WY now and last winter taught me that our house needs a storm door to better insulate the front of the house and help keep snow from building up against it.
My wife gets nervous when I'm out of town for work, so I was wondering if there is a good storm door that is also heavy duty enough to use as a security door?
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Sumboodie]

I had them on my house. They don't seal tight enough to be really considered a storm door. Did help a little with wind gusts, but I don't think were worth the $300 each I paid.
About the only handy thing was leaving the actual door open when it was nice out and the storm door kept the bugs out.

I'd look at replacing the actual door if it's in bad shape.

 

[Mr. Asa]

If you get stuck searching, you might look into flood proof doors? If it'll hold back 72" of water, it should be a rather stout security door. Company I work for makes them out of 11 gauge skin, with 1-1/2" 11Ga wall tube internal frames. Brief Google shows similar costs to steel clad exterior security doors.

Most are not insulated, though.

 

[mikedodge]

Storm doors don't insulate much or add security they're to protect the main door from weather. We like them because if you're running in and out unloading groceries or doing something outside you can leave the door open and not have bugs coming in or pets trying to get out.

 

[CombatNinja]

Storm doors do a couple of things (provide some sound abatement and, equipped with a screen, the ability to open the main door on nice days). They definitely do NOT provide insulation. If you're experiencing drafts to the point that you think a storm door will help, you need to take a look at the state of your current entry door and address the seals first and foremost. If you are talking about just cutting drafts when you are carrying in groceries or something because the storm door will automatically shut, then sure. It does that.

I have a lockable storm door on both entry doors to my house and the security they provide is time. I never use the screens so those are long removed and I made some steel bars that prevent manually sliding either glass panel. It is going to be louder than hell to break into them and then the bad guy still has the steel entry doors to deal with. Point is, such a racket would be made that I will be fully awake, armed and in an advantageous position before he is inside the house. Which is convenient.

 

[czgunner]

Thanks for the suggestions. I wasn't clear about why I wanted a storm door. We get snow accumulated against the front door and it blows in when we open it. Hoping a storm door will help keep most of it outside.

 

[CombatNinja]

Hmmm. Guess my southern *** didn't think of it keeping snow from avalanching into your foyer. Does this not just trade one problem for another, how do you open the storm door with a bunch of snow against it? Sounds like you are in the market for a nice porch. Or you could move out of Wyoming.

 

[CraigStu]

Do a search for entrance security doors. You will find lots of stronger somewhat normal doors but there will also be plenty of security storm doors. Although not what you want, I came across screen doors that use a type of special metal screening that could not be cut w/ a normal knife. Whether your door seals well or not will be determined by how it is designed and manufactured.

 

[steves_001]

This one is not a screen door combo but is a secure storm door.

Larson Platinum storm door.

 

[Sumboodie]

Thanks for the suggestions. I wasn't clear about why I wanted a storm door. We get snow accumulated against the front door and it blows in when we open it. Hoping a storm door will help keep most of it outside.

You may end up trapped in the house. I've had to use the car door on the garage a few times because snow blew against the storm doors to the point I couldn't shove it open.

 

[czgunner]

Well, I had a door and glass guy come over and he said that my door isn't standard and he can't help me. The door frame is clad with aluminum trim that he said is glued to the brick. Any ideas?

 

[CombatNinja]

So rip off the trim, fit a storm door and then have it retrimmed? Or are you saying that your door is some weird size?

 

[Sumboodie]

So rip off the trim, fit a storm door and then have it retrimmed? Or are you saying that your door is some weird size?

Or attach the storm door to the trim, provided there's wood or brick behind it.

That being said, storm door isn't going to do much with the door setup like that aside from offer an opening that'll keep bugs out. Certainly isn't going to better insulate, and it's going to be harder to get outside, if at all if the snow is deep enough.

 

[CombatNinja]

Another thing that is puzzling me is that I don't see any bricks? Are you talking about that fake stone at the bottom?

 

[danfromsyr]

With your door so tight against the wall.
I would NOT add another door to the hokey-pokey of getting in & out each day.

the storm would be right hinged and allow a minimal space to get in and out
all the while the closer is both in the way and trying to eat you with the door.

exterior doors open inward to allow for opening when snow is built up outside..

actually they open inward to allow the door to be kicked in by fire/police
and sure the occasional bad guy/gal.. this is by design of the door mfg..
the only thing holding a traditional door shut is about 1in for clear pine casing.
Xs-2 if you set the deadbolt but still only a scant amount of wood..

for security while you are away. you can install a security bar/brace that would
brace the middle of the door to the floor or frame depending on how it mounts/installs.
there are foot bolts that'll go along way to security..

Google Search

or get a dog

and change news channels or such..
odds are stronger you/her would be assaulted in pubilc than a home invasion that the media likes to play on and prey on your fears.
but you've probably already covered that angle...

Well, I had a door and glass guy come over and he said that my door isn't standard and he can't help me. The door frame is clad with aluminum trim that he said is glued to the brick. Any ideas?

 

[Sumboodie]

With your door so tight against the wall.
I would NOT add another door to the hokey-pokey of getting in & out each day.

the storm would be right hinged and allow a minimal space to get in and out
all the while the closer is both in the way and trying to eat you with the door.

exterior doors open inward to allow for opening when snow is built up outside..

actually they open inward to allow the door to be kicked in by fire/police
and sure the occasional bad guy/gal.. this is by design of the door mfg..
the only thing holding a traditional door shut is about 1in for clear pine casing.
Xs-2 if you set the deadbolt but still only a scant amount of wood..

for security while you are away. you can install a security bar/brace that would
brace the middle of the door to the floor or frame depending on how it mounts/installs.
there are foot bolts that'll go along way to security..

Google Search

or get a dog

and change news channels or such..
odds are stronger you/her would be assaulted in pubilc than a home invasion that the media likes to play on and prey on your fears.
but you've probably already covered that angle...

I've always used 3.5" screws for at least a couple hinge screws and the striker plate.
At least it's not solely dependent on just the door frame to hold the door closed.

Granted if someone is to the point of wanting in that bad, they'll find a way.

 

[mikedodge]

Sounds like an excuse. They should be able to custom order a door that fits within the cladding or they can remove it and bend up new stuff. They usually bend it up on site anyway.