Hot, hot, hot entry door....

Marion
by Marion
My storm and entry door are in the sun all day.The storm door gets so hot, I can fry eggs on it. Does anyone have an idea to solve this problem. I would appreciate the input into this problem. Thanks in advance!!!!
  23 answers
  • Z Z on Oct 12, 2015
    I can find cool touch technology in deck and concrete paints, but not for other surfaces. It could be something you'll be able to find soon. The only thing now would be to some how shade the door with either plants, awning or other structure. If you share a photo of your home, I might think of other ideas.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 12, 2015
    This might sound ridiculus, But is there a screen to put in where you can elivate some heat?
    • See 2 previous
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Oct 13, 2015
      @Marion I replaced the torn screen in my patio door with a replacement one form HD or Lowe's. It is coloured with a leaf pattern, and provides privacy and it cools the patio door, since it is UV treated.
  • Marion Marion on Oct 12, 2015
    It doesn't help that my entry door is steel!!!!!
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 12, 2015
    oh ok sorry for that I really dont have a solution unless there is a way to build a overhead over the door.
    • Marion Marion on Oct 12, 2015
      I did think of that, but my husband said it would have to be long being I have a high ranch,and the sun would still hit most of the door.Thanks again...
  • Kimberly A Kimberly A on Oct 13, 2015
    We have the exact same issue. You may not like this idea but we completely got rid of the storm door. That took away a ton of heat. Because my main door was metal as well we replaced it with a beautiful hand carved mahogany door. Mahogany can handle weather better than most woods. I have only reseated it once since its been up and it was just a very quick touch up job that took about 15 minutes. They also make composite doors that can do the job pretty well.
  • Kristin Harward-Grant Kristin Harward-Grant on Oct 13, 2015
    plant a tree
  • Ella Ella on Oct 13, 2015
    I've had the same problem for years, at first I put a screen with a wisteria vine, now farther out in the front yard I planted a red oak tree that will offer shade soon. I had no other options that would work in my situation.
  • Mary Mary on Oct 13, 2015
    I have the same problem. In fact the door gets so hot the glue they used to seal around the glass pane inset is dripping out! Can't plant a tree be a use of septic lines. I would really like to keep the storm door, but it may have to go:( Let me know if anyone comes up with an inexpensive solution - awning maybe???
  • Marion Marion on Oct 13, 2015
    Thanks for your comment Mary.Everday I am wiping glue off the door.I have to keep the storm door,we like to keep the entry door open and the dog likes looking out the door.I'm in this house 42 years and didn't always have this problem,but the sun is getting stronger every year.If I come across any solutions,I'll be sure to let you know.....
    • See 2 previous
    • Mary Mary on Oct 14, 2015
      Thanks Marion. Thought I was the only one with the crazy glue problem :) I'm expecting the glass inset to fall out when all the glue is gone :( Best of luck with solving the problem!
  • Teresa Smith Newton Teresa Smith Newton on Oct 13, 2015
    In summer, I hang cheesecloth from the ceiling of the very small porch and that drops the temp by close to 15 degrees. Wal-Mart sells it at 6 yards, fold into third and hang with paper binders (the wide things to use in place of a paper clip) from the vinyl siding overhang. Also, I put some clips at the bottom to keep the wind from messing it up, but have been thinking of making a pocket and putting a dowel in there to keep it in place.
  • Pete Sakes Pete Sakes on Oct 13, 2015
    I have drop cloth curtains hanging on my back porch because of the sun in the evenings. Or you could use bamboo shades (I've done that too). With either you can move them out of the way once the sun moves away from the door. For a more permanent fix you could build a pergola at the front of the porch to extend the roof a bit, then plant a vine or cover the top with a breathable material.
  • Pis2225486 Pis2225486 on Oct 13, 2015
    It's hard to come up with a plan without a picture... and of course if you live in an area with an HOA that always causes issues, but... If you can't plant a tree, maybe building a trellis entryway with planters on either side and a thick vine plant to cover??? Depending on your house, you might be able to build a small entry cover... even a two foot shed roof with a 6 inch overhang to either side could help immensely... but proper dimensions should be determined by the angle of the sun in your area (I'm assuming your doors face south?)... hopefully that helps... or at least helps you come up with a solution! Good luck!
    • Mary Mary on Oct 14, 2015
      Thank you - you really hit the nail on the head - south facing door and sun until late in the day.
  • LD LD on Oct 13, 2015
    Since your storm and front door are metal, plus you get direct sunlight, it will always be hot to touch. If you place an awning over the door that should help with it being hot enough to try eggs on it. From spring to fall I would most definitely have the screen insert in the storm door.
    • See 1 previous
    • Mary Mary on Oct 14, 2015
      Linda - thank you. I have the same issue as Marion except in feline form - cat who likes to look out the door. With the air on in the summer, I can't use a screen door and keep the inside door open. I think the awning or porch cover is probably going to be the answer - just expensive :(
  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Oct 13, 2015
    I have the same problem w/my front door which gets the westerly sun all day. After I bought the house I added a full view storm door which I can't hardly open because the door handle gets so hot. I took down an awning that had seen better days which made it worse. Someone suggested installing window film on the storm door. The porch has no roof and some day I would like to add some type topper for the porch which would solve the problem. When I replace my roof I believe I will go w/a tin roof and see what the installers suggest for the porch. I also like the Pergola look for contrast to brick.Decisions, Decisions! :)
    • See 1 previous
    • Mary Mary on Oct 14, 2015
      I thought about a pergola too, but I think it's going to have to be a more closed structure. Good luck with the decisions!
  • Thebakers47 Thebakers47 on Oct 13, 2015
    I have the same problem, but from the east. It's inset under a porch roof. We have trees short and small. The sun hits it when it's low in the sky. I don't use a screen because of air conditioning. Most of the time the door is open, no windows that light the same area. Taking the door down is not an option. Sometimes there's nothing you can do to block the sun.
  • Anne fenske Anne fenske on Oct 13, 2015
    Hi Sarah A. Victory, have u tried the stuff that they coat tool handles with. Its rubber base and it's anti shock or shure grip. U might have to take handle off to dip; then string to hang to dry. If u have the push button type this might not work. Ask a hardware store in your neighborhood.
  • Mary Wilson Mary Wilson on Oct 13, 2015
    We have the same situation,, we leave or door open about 10 inches to let the heat escape.
  • Marion Marion on Oct 13, 2015
    That's a great idea for my deck but doesn't help the problem with the front entry door...
  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Oct 13, 2015
    The window film would help as many use it to keep from fading their interior furnishings. I know I have some UV protection w/the storm door but I think it would be the least expensive option. It can be bought on line the width of the storm door. I have some left from where we covered a small window in our bonus room to make TV viewing better and may experiment w/it. Take care.
  • Carolyn Carolyn on Oct 13, 2015
    Lowes has Gila window film. I have used it and it works!
  • Grandmasue10 Grandmasue10 on Oct 14, 2015
    Thanks for asking this question, Marion, and thanks to Carolyn, who confirmed that window film works. I have the same problem, and now I know what to do about it!
  • Mary Mary on Oct 14, 2015
    Everyone - thank you so much for all the very helpful suggestions. I am going to Lowe's to look at the Gila window film for my length glass screen door, and start getting bids to build a structure over the door. I wanted to put on a covered front porch when I bought the house, but it was $16,000! The front deck has to be replaced too, so I will get them both bid at once.
  • Judith Judith on Oct 14, 2022

    Lots of suggestions, all good except most will not work on a metal south facing door with sun on it most of the day. I know, my problem also. First I had film put on the interior of the storm door glass. That helps, but the outside and the handle are untouchable unless you want blisters on your fingers. Also the vinyl trim around the glass has faded to a light grey from black. The only solution I have come up with is to put an awning over the door. Had it priced, $2000. No thanks. I am trying to use my "I know this can be done reasonably" ideas. So far not successful. If you come up with a solution to this "heated" discussion, please post. Good luck.