Question - I am considering adding storm/-screen doors for better efficiency and security. Do any storm doors offer real security, and which are most efficient? I want to install them myself to save money? - R.T.
Answer - Many attractive efficient storm doors provide extra security. Some are actually more burglar resistant than a front door. For example, stainless steel screens look like ordinary screens but are nearly impenetrable.
The most secure storm doors have attractive wrought iron or aluminum grillwork and tempered glass. They are so decorative that you would never guess they are also highly secure doors.
Storm doors with deadbolts and solid brass locksets are very secure. Some have two extra stationary deadbolt pins on the hinge side like a bank safe. Even if a burglar can break the strong hinges, the door still will not open.
New attractive storm door styles include arched, crossbuck, full view, half view and self-storing. One design allows you to mix and match many interchangeable trim pieces to create your own storm door design.
Adding an efficient storm door can easily pay back its cost with year-round energy savings. Don't just buy the cheapest storm door. A more expensive high-quality door (lifetime warranty) is often a better buy.
Important quality and efficiency features are the number of tracks, door frame material, type of insulation, hardware, hinges and wea-ther-stripping.
A self-storing triple-track storm door offers the greatest convenience and flexibility. One screen covers the entire opening area. There are two tempered glass sections, each in its own track covering half of the opening.
For natural summer ventilation, there are many options with a triple-track door. Remove both glass sections for a full screened door or slide one glass section to the bottom to protect the screen from children and pets.
For the best air flow, slide both sections toward the middle. This leaves screened gaps at the top and bottom creating a natural upward air flow pattern.
High-quality efficient storm doors are made of aluminum, plastic or wood. Hollow aluminum or plastic doors should be filled or they can dent or warp. Some aluminum doors use airtight magnetic refrigerator door type wea-ther-stripping.
The best storm doors (solid core) are filled with insulation or high-grade particle board. Particle board is particularly strong and durable. Permanently lubricated bronze hinge bushings ensure quiet, friction-free operation.
Write for Update Bulletin No. 921 showing a buyer's guide of 18 top-quality efficient storm/-security doors listing styles, tracks, frame materials, core/-insulation, hardware/hinges, special features and prices. Please include $2.00 and a business-size SASE. Write to James Dulley, Deseret News, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244
Question - I have noticed an air vent from my plumbing system sticking up through the roof. Our house is drafty and I was wondering if air is leaking out through that vent pipe? - R.D.
Answer - No air should leak out that vent pipe. It is a vent for the water drains in your house. The purpose of the vent is to keep the water from being sucked out of drain traps. You will smell it if the traps are dry.
One potential air leak is where the vent pipe goes through the ceiling into the attic. The hole is often cut bigger than the pipe, creating a leaky gap around it. Check it because the gap is hidden by the attic insulation.