The Front Door vs. The Back Door: Do You Need a Storm Door?

When you order a beautiful, custom-painted entry door, the next question is often: “Do I cover it up with a storm door?”

In the past, with drafty wood doors, storm doors were a mandatory second layer of defence against the cold. But with modern high-performance fibreglass doors, they are no longer required for insulation.

So, do you need one? The answer depends on which door we are talking about. In most Winnipeg homes, the front door and the back (or side) door have very different jobs.

The Front Door: The Showpiece

Your front door is all about curb appeal and first impressions. It’s where you greet guests, but for many families, it’s not the door used daily.

Why You Might SKIP the Storm Door Here:

• Hide the Beauty: You just spent time selecting a stunning “Iron Ore” or “Commercial Brown” custom paint job and decorative glass. A storm door creates reflections and frames that hide that investment.
• Convenience: Opening two doors to greet a guest can be a hassle.

The Back Door: The Workhorse

This is the family entrance. It’s the door you use for groceries, letting the dog out, accessing the BBQ, and running to the garage. It takes a beating.

Why You WANT a Storm Door Here:

• Ventilation: This is the big one. A storm door with a retractable screen turns your back door into a giant window. In spring and summer, you can leave the main door open to catch a cross-breeze while keeping bugs out.
• The “Pet Barrier”: If you have a dog that scratches at the door to go out, a storm door takes the abuse instead of your main door’s finish.
• Extra Protection: Since this door often faces the backyard or driveway (where snow might drift or rain might drive harder), a storm door acts as a mudroom shield, keeping the main sill cleaner.

The Hi-Tech Recommendation

For the Front
Show it off. A new Hi-Tech fibreglass front door is designed to handle Winnipeg winters on its own, so most homeowners choose to skip a storm door here and let the decorative glass and custom colour be fully visible. However, suppose your front entrance is very exposed to wind, or you prefer to keep the main door open for light while keeping a barrier closed. In that case, a well-vented, high-visibility storm door can still be a good option, provided sun exposure and heat buildup are carefully considered.

For the Back
Add utility. A storm door at the back or side entrance provides ventilation, protection from pets, and an extra buffer against snow and rain, where your family actually comes and goes most often.

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Looking for the perfect combo? We can help you decide where a storm door makes sense and match the storm door frame to your new entry door for a seamless look across your home’s entrances. Ask about our current program and see how you qualify for 50% off a Storm‑Tite storm door when you purchase a new Hi‑Tech entry system.