Storm doors cost $400 to $1,100 installed. Self storing is the most popular style here because the screen and glass panels both live in the frame. The one real caution is that a full view storm over a dark door on a sunny wall can trap enough heat to damage the entry door.
A storm door does three things in this climate: it creates an insulating air space in front of your entry door, it protects that door from weather, and it lets you open the house up on the good days.
The style choice comes down to what you do with the screen when you are not using it, and there is one exposure situation to check before you order anything.
Styles compared
| Style | Installed cost | Screen handling | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full view | $400 to $800 | Swap panels seasonally, store one | Showing off a nice entry door |
| Self storing | $450 to $900 | Panels slide within the frame | Convenience, most popular here |
| Mid view | $400 to $750 | Usually a seasonal swap | High traffic entries with kids and pets |
| High view | $400 to $750 | Seasonal swap | Doors that take heavy abuse |
| Retractable screen | $700 to $1,100 | Screen rolls into a cassette | Clean look, unobstructed view |
| Security storm | $800 to $1,400 | Varies | Urban entries, added security layer |
The solar heat trap warning
This is the one thing to check before ordering and it is rarely mentioned at the point of sale. A full view storm door in front of a dark colored entry door on a south or west facing elevation creates a small greenhouse. On a clear afternoon, even in winter, the air trapped between the two doors can reach temperatures high enough to blister paint, warp a wood door, or damage a fiberglass finish. Several major entry door manufacturers explicitly limit or void warranty coverage for a dark door installed behind a full view storm door in direct sun. The solutions are simple: choose a ventilating storm configuration that lets that air escape, choose a lighter entry door color, or skip the storm door on that specific elevation. A north facing entry has no such issue.
What to look for in the hardware
- A wind chain, which physically stops the door before it can swing past its hinge limit in a gust. Many doors are sold with one and many installers skip it. It is the difference between a storm door lasting ten years and being replaced after the first March windstorm.
- A heavy duty closer with adjustable speed and a hold-open feature.
- A full-length hinge rail rather than individual hinges, which distributes load and resists sagging.
- An adjustable bottom expander so the sweep can be set to the threshold properly.
- A keyed lock if the storm door will ever be the only thing locked.
- Colored frames that match your trim, since a bright white storm door on bronze trim reads as an afterthought.
Do storm doors actually save energy?
Modestly and genuinely. The dead air space between the storm and the entry door reduces conductive heat loss through the door assembly, and the storm door cuts wind-driven air infiltration at the entry door perimeter, which on an exposed entry is the larger effect. The savings are not dramatic, and a storm door is not a substitute for a properly sealed entry door. The stronger practical argument, especially with a wood door, is protection: keeping driving rain, snow and UV off the entry door itself can double its refinishing interval and substantially extend its life.
Ranges reflect typical Capital Region projects and are for planning only. Every Sundog quote is written, itemized, and free.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best type of storm door?
Self storing is the most practical choice for most Capital Region homes, because the glass and screen panels both live in the door frame and slide like a double hung window. You never store a panel in the garage or hunt for it in May. Full view is the choice when you want to show off the entry door behind it.
Will a storm door damage my front door?
It can, in one specific situation: a full view storm over a dark colored entry door on a south or west facing wall. Trapped solar heat between the two can blister the finish or warp the door, and some entry door warranties exclude this. A ventilating configuration or a lighter door color solves it.
How much does a storm door cost installed?
Typically $400 to $1,100 in the Capital Region depending on style, with basic full view and mid view at the lower end, self storing in the middle, and retractable screen and security models at the top. Installation is about half a day.
Why do storm doors blow open and break?
Because the closer alone cannot stop a gust catching a partly open door. That is what a wind chain is for, a short cable between the door and frame that stops the door before it swings past its hinge limit. It is inexpensive, frequently omitted, and it is the single most common reason storm doors fail early.
Do I need a storm door if I have a good entry door?
Not for performance reasons if the entry door is modern, well sealed and under a covered porch. The case for one is strongest on an exposed entry with no overhang, on any wood door, and when you want screened ventilation without opening the main door. On a sheltered entry with a good fiberglass door, it is optional.
Services this relates to
Keep reading
Local pages
Questions about your own house?
A free measure and a written quote costs you nothing and gives you real numbers to work with.