Sills That Seal: Endura has created an integrated, spring l…
Sills That Seal: Endura has created an integrated, spring loaded cap sill that self-adjusts by up to 1/8 inch to maintain the seal of inswing exterior doors. The Z-Series Articulating Cap Sill looks like a traditional sill but flexes as the door opens and closes, meeting the door sweep to correct for uneven surfaces, door sag, or a settling foundation. Endura, 800.334.2006,
www.enduraproducts.com.
Feel the Pulse: Let more light into the home while boosting…
Feel the Pulse: Let more light into the home while boosting its curb appeal. The glass inset panels in Therma-Tru’s Pulse collection use textured or clear glass and colored accents to give entryways a contemporary twist. Four door profiles, six panel configurations, and 17 glass options let homeowners create a custom look. Therma-Tru, 800.537.8827,
www.thermatru.com.
Strong Surface: The latest addition to ProVia’s Heritage …
Strong Surface: The latest addition to ProVia’s Heritage collection combines a smooth fiberglass surface with a hardwood edge to give entry doors a traditional appearance without the rotting and warping associated with wood. Deep embossing on the panels add design detail, while finger-jointed solid-oak laminated stiles on the hinge and strike sides keep the door rigid. The door comes in six factory-finished paint colors. ProVia, 800.669.4711,
www.proviaproducts.com.
Savings in the Fold: Royal Building Products’ bi-fold doo…
Savings in the Fold: Royal Building Products’ bi-fold door can hold up to eight panels while keeping an R-value of 6 and meeting Energy Star requirements. Overture’s aluminum-reinforced vinyl frame incorporates a slim-line welded sash that maximizes the viewing area without hampering functionality. The door features a three-point lock on every other panel. Royal Building Products, 866.852.2791,
www.royalbuildingproducts.com.
Pet Door 2.0: Save energy when letting pets in and out of t…
Pet Door 2.0: Save energy when letting pets in and out of the house without obstructing the backyard view. Jeld-Wen’s integrated pet door can be installed alongside the company’s vinyl sliding patio door. It uses a clear flap fitted with a magnetic strip to secure the opening against the wind while enabling pets to pass through. A drop-down clear panel lets homeowners close and lock the portal. The door is available in 15- and 18-inch options. Jeld-Wen, 800.535.3936,
www.jeld-wen.com.
Get Organized: Improve interior doors’ functionality with…
Get Organized: Improve interior doors’ functionality with an integrated shelving system and display board. Cut into the door’s center, the On Hand In-Door Storage and Communication System features a glass-framed decorative board on one side and, on the other, five 3 3/8-inch-deep adjustable shelves that can hold up to 10 pounds each. The system fits side-hinged doors that are at least 28 inches wide and 55 inches high and don’t have a lever handle. Panel and shelving units can be flipped. The system supports up to 50 pounds. ODL, 616.772.9111,
www.odl.com.
Resilient Entryways: Masonite heated the solid-wood doors i…
Resilient Entryways: Masonite heated the solid-wood doors in its Lemieux-brand Torrefied Collection to remove water and excess byproducts. This makes them denser and more resilient against warping, rotting, and delamination in entry applications without an overhang, it says. The door is available in vertical-grain Doug fir, mahogany, and poplar with matching exterior jambs, moulding, and T-astregals. Masonite, 800.895.2723,
www.masonite.com.
Consumers are investing in their homes, and they want to see a return on that investment in more ways than one. For doors, that means stronger curb appeal and improved energy efficiency. Door makers have responded with thicker glass and more of it, tighter seals, resilient materials, and opportunities to create a custom look. “At a time when home values dragged, people did things to increase the value of their home,” says Matt Zielenski, an analyst with The Freedonia Group. Door makers have grown their fiberglass lines, added extra functionality to interior and exterior doors, and offered products that meet requirements for energy-efficiency tax credits. Whether it’s to give interiors a boost or meld style and sustainability in the entryway, these doors find ways to add value to the home.
Hallie Busta is a former associate editor of products and technology at ARCHITECT, Architectural Lighting, and Residential Architect. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill school and a LEED Green Associate credential. Previously, she wrote about building-material sales and distribution at Hanley Wood. Follow her on Twitter at @HallieBusta.
