Comparing Storm Doors

A Comparison of Larson & Anderson Storm Doors

Storm doors were once installed on every new house as a door designed to protect the inner door from being damaged by the weather. Today, they are becoming a popular choice for those wanting to make their home more energy-efficient to save on heating and cooling costs. When it comes to storm doors, though, two of the biggest names are Larson and Andersen.

Operating since 1954, Larson Doors is the most popular storm door company in America today. They have a good selection of storm doors, with unique designs for security, ventilation, and style to suit a wide range of customers. They are also a leader in the storm door industry, continuing to register patents for their doors and introducing new products. They are also the choice storm door sold by Lowes department stores, also owning the Pella brand of storm doors.

In addition to their regular selections, Larson also offers custom doors, coming in many different designs and colours that attempt to fit the needs of any homeowner. One of the innovations in Larson's storm door department is called the ScreenAway door, which allows you to move the screen into a hidden area at the top of the door for easy ventilation.

Anderson makes more than just storm doors, as they are popular for their windows and patio doors as well. But, Anderson does own EMCO and their doors as well, and together they are the storm door choice of Home Depot. A unique point about Anderson and EMCO storm doors are the fact that they all meet the requirements for energy efficiency, making them eligible for tax credits. The energy efficiency options vary depending on the design, but may include an aluminum, insulated frame or their Double Quad Seal system that all but eliminates air leaks.

There are many different warranties available for Anderson and EMCO products, such as their installation warranty that guarantees the replacement or repair of any parts that are lost or miscut during installation, and their limited lifetime warranties.

All in all, the two companies do make very similar products, often with the same or similar features. What it comes down to is the quality of the storm door itself, and whether it will be subject to wear or rot. This is more of a problem with models that have wood as part of their frame. It will also be a matter of cost. Generally, regardless of the product or manufacturer, the higher the cost of the storm door you purchase, the better the quality will be. It is not unreasonable to see a $500 storm door. But, one must always stay within their budget.

The final decision may be simply up to personal preference. However, because Larson's main product has been storm doors for over 50 years, it might be assumed by most that their product will naturally be better. Keep in mind that popular isn't always the best choice for you. Shop around, compare the products and companies, and figure out with door is right for your home.

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corndog

Posted 246 days ago

As a person who lives in the midwest where storm doors are a necessity, I've hung dozens of storm doors. In terms of easy installation and quality, I'd rank the big players as follows: Larson doors are ok and have a lots of variety. Emco is consistently clunky. Pella stuff is second to none in terms of quality and by far the easiest to hang.

Stormy

Posted 619 days ago

Does anyone know where there is a storm door comparison website? I need to buy new storm doors for my house, but I don't know jack diddly about them. I know that both Anderson and Pella make storm doors, and I've read the "Anderson vs Pella storm door comparison" controversy on some of the building sites, but I still don't know what to look for and what to pay for a good middle of the road storm door.

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