Installing a new fiber glass front door - Storm door or no?

Question

Do we need a storm door to protect our new fiber glass door if said door has a 2ft overhang?

And would the storm door provide any extra insulation?

Answer 1

My experience is what gets water damage is the door surround and trim, not the door itself. I am a big fan of PVC trim as a result. I doubt anything will happen to a fiberglass door other than the hardware rusting.

Storm doors are good for letting you have a screen and for additional insulation/wind protection. I wouldn't expect it to extend the life of your door at all.

Answer 2

Any sealed air cavity provides some degree of insulation in the heating season. However, it's fairly small and may not be worth the hassle of having to open two doors every time you pass. Much bigger benefit can be had by simply adjusting your threshold to close gaps, for example.

Also, that trapped air can create very high temperatures in summer, which can damage your primary door and reduce cooling efficiency, so you'd want to leave a window open in the storm door to allow ventilation.

No one ever needs a storm door. They're an enhancement for usability and marginal energy efficiency. You decide whether that's appropriate in your situation.