Exterior doors are more efficient if they are?

Exterior doors are more efficient if they are?

• A. Have side lights
• B. Solid core
• C. Hollow metal
• D. Fully glazed

Answer: (B)

Energy efficiency of exterior doors comes from minimizing heat transfer and air leakage. A solid-core door has a dense interior that acts as a better barrier to heat flow and reduces drafts, so it keeps indoor temperatures more stable with less reliance on weatherstripping alone. This dense construction means fewer paths for air movement and less conductive heat loss or gain compared to doors that rely on hollow interiors or large glass areas. Doors with side lights or fully glazed panels bring more glass into the assembly, and glass conducts heat much more than wood or metal, so they tend to reduce overall energy efficiency. Hollow-core doors have voids that can let air move more easily and don’t insulate as well as solid-core doors. Therefore, solid-core exterior doors provide the best insulation and tightness, leading to better energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency of exterior doors comes from minimizing heat transfer and air leakage. A solid-core door has a dense interior that acts as a better barrier to heat flow and reduces drafts, so it keeps indoor temperatures more stable with less reliance on weatherstripping alone. This dense construction means fewer paths for air movement and less conductive heat loss or gain compared to doors that rely on hollow interiors or large glass areas.

Doors with side lights or fully glazed panels bring more glass into the assembly, and glass conducts heat much more than wood or metal, so they tend to reduce overall energy efficiency. Hollow-core doors have voids that can let air move more easily and don’t insulate as well as solid-core doors. Therefore, solid-core exterior doors provide the best insulation and tightness, leading to better energy efficiency.