Author Topic: Boiling hot front door  (Read 32535 times)

flashpacker

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Boiling hot front door
« on: September 26, 2014, 11:57:35 AM »
We live in Vegas and our front door is West facing.  Although we have an overhang meaning it should be somewhat shaded, it gets absolutely boiling hot to the touch. Even standing near the door inside I can feel the heat coming off it.  It's a wooden door.  I guess we could paint it white on the outside but that would look pretty hideous and I'm not sure how much difference it would make.  I'm trying to get our air con bill as low as possible.  We have blackout curtains for the windows and a decent amount of insulation but this door is a thorn in my mustachian side.  Any suggestions?

GuitarStv

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2014, 12:33:22 PM »
Painting it white would help a lot.  It might also make sense to replace it with an insulated door.  Wood sucks in comparison to the polyurethane insulated ones.  You could also extend the overhang over the door.

Lkxe

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2014, 04:08:08 PM »
Yes, painted the door a lighter color. We had a South facing door with no overhang-so hot the neighbors preferred to enter through the garage. We painted it yellow, it was a lot cooler. When we sold the new owners immediately painted it black even though we warned them- back to the garage. Additionally, you can drape the door as well. Depending on your decorating style, it can be a nice look. 

deborah

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2014, 06:01:38 PM »
Look at where the sun is shining from, and work out whether you can put anything that will shade the door. If it's west facing, you would need shade to be vertical rather than horizontal, because it is going to get hot when the sun is low in the afternoon. You may find that a bamboo screen some distance form the door would work (and that you could plant a tree in this position for longer term shade). Our laundry was very hot, and we were amazed at how much difference shade made - it altered our dislike of the shading method we chose. Could you get a screen door or something else you can put in front of the door to produce shade?

You might try taping sheets of paper to cover the front door for a couple of days to see whether a lighter colour would make any difference (after all, you can always remove them).

flashpacker

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2014, 08:37:38 PM »
Thanks folks. I think we need something in front of the door to block the low afternoon sun, as suggested. The overhang clearly doesn't work with the direction of the sun. We've been thinking about that issue in relation to a car port too. Currently we don't have one as we only recently moved in, and there is no garage. The carports that only cover the car from above don't seem like they are going to work in our yard.

Greg

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2014, 11:14:45 AM »
I also suggest a roll-up bamboo or similar shade.  I have one in front of the west facing window of my studio, and in the summer it's indispensable for keeping the sun off the large window in the late afternoons.  And I'm in the PNW.

Even a shade or curtain of window screen material would help.  Think of greenhouse shade cloth.  What about potted bamboo?  Or a trellis.  Lots of options.

TreeTired

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #6 on: September 27, 2014, 07:29:57 PM »
White??   I would spray paint it with a metallic chrome paint! 

Quote
You might try taping sheets of paper to cover the front door for a couple of days to see whether a lighter colour would make any difference (after all, you can always remove them).

I was going to suggest - seriously - as an experiment,  to cover the door with aluminum foil, just to see what difference it made.  If it makes a noticeable big difference you can start to think about similar more palatable permanent changes that might achieve the same effect,  ie painting a lighter color or replacing with a better insulating material.

MamaFootball

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2014, 07:59:59 PM »
What about a storm door with reflective film? I'm in FLA so I totally am feeling your pain on this one.

Greg

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2014, 09:15:46 AM »
What about a storm door with reflective film? I'm in FLA so I totally am feeling your pain on this one.

A storm door is a great idea actually.  Insulates, can be used as screen door (some have sliding glass that reveals screened area) extra noise insulation... I'd definitely give this a try.

usmarine1975

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2014, 09:54:55 AM »
Is the door currently painted a darker color or one that would soak up the sun. If so paint it.  A storm door might help some. Black is usually not recommended on exterior doors.  Articles exist where children have gotten quite burned.  If the wood door is solid I wouldn't change it. The newer metal doors are not better.  I have installed hundreds of doors ranging from a re used 100 year old relic to a 15 k brand new door.  I prefer older wooden doors or newly made wooden doors.  My opinion of course. 

teen persuasion

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2014, 08:09:16 PM »
What about a storm door with reflective film? I'm in FLA so I totally am feeling your pain on this one.

A storm door is a great idea actually.  Insulates, can be used as screen door (some have sliding glass that reveals screened area) extra noise insulation... I'd definitely give this a try.

I was thinking just the opposite - the storm door creates a greenhouse effect.  The sunlight comes in thru the glass and heats up the air trapped between the two doors.  My cousin's front door was like this, and the door handle was uncomfortably hot to the touch.

Greg

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2014, 09:59:44 PM »
Good point, maybe a storm door with reflective/tinted window film.

whydavid

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #12 on: September 28, 2014, 10:51:13 PM »
You've got to shade it.  At least here in the Phoenix area, I've seen white, modern insulated doors that absolutely cook in the summer sun when facing south or west.  Painting might help if it is currently a dark color, but it's still going to suck. 

I've got some triple-pane, glazed, low-e, argon-filled windows about which I could tell a similar story :)  There's no better cure for direct sunlight than to avoid it.  The solution may not be as pretty as the current situation, but your neighbors live in the same spot you do -- they'll understand.  Just don't do something gaudy.


ArtieStrongestInTheWorld

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #13 on: September 29, 2014, 12:32:27 PM »
What about a storm door with reflective film? I'm in FLA so I totally am feeling your pain on this one.

A storm door is a great idea actually.  Insulates, can be used as screen door (some have sliding glass that reveals screened area) extra noise insulation... I'd definitely give this a try.

I was thinking just the opposite - the storm door creates a greenhouse effect.  The sunlight comes in thru the glass and heats up the air trapped between the two doors.  My cousin's front door was like this, and the door handle was uncomfortably hot to the touch.

You could probably get Venetian blinds for inside the storm door (would let in light when you wanted it in the morning, shade the door in the afternoon), or as others pointed out, look for reflective glass.

Long term, perhaps you could plant some trees in front of or near the door to provide some natural shade?

Bob W

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #14 on: September 29, 2014, 12:41:23 PM »
This is a great technical mustache question?

Without knowing your house layout I might also suggest a very fast growing or fairly mature tree planting that would shade the door and entrance landing.   If your climate allows, trees are an excellent way to reduce cooling costs.

So the door is one problem,  but you probably have many in your home.   Many utilities will subsidized a whole house energy audit.   Our pays $200 of the $250 cost and gives you lights, low flow shower head and a water heater blanket.

The audits are very cool and you can even be there with them as they use their heat detection guns and images.   Very cool!

They will also do a blow door test and make many recommendations and do the cost analysis for you.

Good luck!

GuitarStv

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #15 on: September 30, 2014, 07:40:59 AM »
I suspect that planting a fast growing tree that will stay alive in Las Vegas would be technically challenging.

Bob W

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #16 on: October 01, 2014, 09:16:15 AM »
I suspect that planting a fast growing tree that will stay alive in Las Vegas would be technically challenging.

I thought so too --- but apparently there are options including these:

Water Oak

The water oak or spotted oak (Quercus nigra) is from the beech family of plants and is a fast growing wetland tree. It averages a height of 50 to 80 feet with small leaves, smooth bark and acorns. Plant a water oak in full sun in moist well drained soils. Propagate via acorns in USDA hardiness zones of 7 through 10 (north Arizona may have difficulty).

Chinese Elm

The Chinese elm or lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is from the elm family of plants and is a fast growing tree with good fall foliage. It gets 40 to 50 feet tall with flaking bark and 2 inch long elliptic leaves. Plant a Chinese elm in any soil with full sun or partial shade conditions. Propagate via seed, grafting or cuttings in USDA hardiness zones of 5 through 9 (very southern Arizona may have problems).


Read more: Fast Growing Trees in Arizona | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/137950-fast-growing-trees-arizona.html#ixzz3EuGZ5lXw

If every home owner in Phoenix planted 8 trees the temperature would probably drop by 7 degrees on average and there would be lots of shade!  Of course the humidity would rise and water usage would skyrocket. 


Best to try the home energy audit route first.



whydavid

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #17 on: October 02, 2014, 10:37:53 AM »
I suspect that planting a fast growing tree that will stay alive in Las Vegas would be technically challenging.

I thought so too --- but apparently there are options including these:

Water Oak

The water oak or spotted oak (Quercus nigra) is from the beech family of plants and is a fast growing wetland tree. It averages a height of 50 to 80 feet with small leaves, smooth bark and acorns. Plant a water oak in full sun in moist well drained soils. Propagate via acorns in USDA hardiness zones of 7 through 10 (north Arizona may have difficulty).

Chinese Elm

The Chinese elm or lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is from the elm family of plants and is a fast growing tree with good fall foliage. It gets 40 to 50 feet tall with flaking bark and 2 inch long elliptic leaves. Plant a Chinese elm in any soil with full sun or partial shade conditions. Propagate via seed, grafting or cuttings in USDA hardiness zones of 5 through 9 (very southern Arizona may have problems).


Read more: Fast Growing Trees in Arizona | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/137950-fast-growing-trees-arizona.html#ixzz3EuGZ5lXw

If every home owner in Phoenix planted 8 trees the temperature would probably drop by 7 degrees on average and there would be lots of shade!  Of course the humidity would rise and water usage would skyrocket. 


Best to try the home energy audit route first.

I have to echo this.  There are plenty of fast-growing shade trees that will grow in Las Vegas.

The local cooperative extension office is usually a good place to look for advice:

http://www.unce.unr.edu/

Bob W

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #18 on: October 02, 2014, 10:49:36 AM »
Excellent point on the Uni Extension!

One creative thing you can do with trees in climates like that is to also incorporate lots of new or used baby diapers into the soil.

These contain super absorbent particles (SAPs)  That will help reduce the frequency of watering.  One diaper can hold at least a gallon of water.

Shred them up and spread them around good.  You can also buy the SAP crystals at Lowes or Home Depot.  They are kinda pricey so I would find a baby with an endless supply of diapers.

Something else to consider is that a home with shade trees will likely sell at a premium.


flashpacker

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Re: Boiling hot front door
« Reply #19 on: October 05, 2014, 09:10:45 AM »
thanks for all the additional replies folks.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!