When temperatures drop to zero degrees or below, it’s common for door dealers to receive calls from homeowners concerned about condensation and frost forming on their windows and doors. Aluminum components like ADA sills and astragals are more likely to form frost during these conditions due to the transference of exterior cold, mixed with warm moist air in the home.
If you have customers who purchased a Therma-Tru Fiberglass Entry Door, here are some helpful tips to share. While Therma-Tru does not provide a warranty for condensation or frost under such extreme conditions, there are several steps homeowners can take to minimize or resolve these issues:
When temperatures drop to zero degrees or below, it’s common for door dealers to receive calls from homeowners concerned about condensation and frost forming on their windows and doors. Aluminum components like ADA sills and astragals are more likely to form frost during these conditions due to the transference of exterior cold, mixed with warm moist air in the home.
If you have customers who purchased a Therma-Tru Fiberglass Entry Door, here are some helpful tips to share. While Therma-Tru does not provide a warranty for condensation or frost under such extreme conditions, there are several steps homeowners can take to minimize or resolve these issues:
- Reduce indoor humidity: Lower the setting on the home humidifier. If the entry door is near a kitchen or bathroom, excess moisture from these areas may cause condensation.
- Adjust the sill cap: The sill cap is designed to be adjustable. If cold air is entering beneath the door slab, raise the sill cap to improve the seal.
- Inspect the door sweep: Ensure the sweep is not cut or damaged. Therma-Tru sweeps may become stiff in cold temperatures. Use a blow dryer to gently warm the sweep, which should help it return to its proper position.
- Check the weatherstrip: Confirm that the weatherstrip is making proper contact with the door slab and is not deformed or damaged.
- Verify corner pads: Ensure the 7 corner pads are installed correctly and caulked securely in place.
- Inspect foam insulation: Check that the foam insulation around the frame is intact and free of gaps that could allow cold air to penetrate.
- Seal the exterior: Make sure the door is fully caulked on the exterior according to Therma-Tru installation guidelines.
- Non-Flush-Glazed units: Frost or ice buildup can occur on Non-Flush-Glazed doors and sidelites during extreme cold. This is not a defect but a result of the approximately ¼-inch air space between the insulated glass and the door slab behind the lip-lite frame. Lowering indoor humidity levels can help prevent frost or ice buildup in these areas.
- Reduce indoor humidity: Lower the setting on the home humidifier. If the entry door is near a kitchen or bathroom, excess moisture from these areas may cause condensation.
- Adjust the sill cap: The sill cap is designed to be adjustable. If cold air is entering beneath the door slab, raise the sill cap to improve the seal.
- Inspect the door sweep: Ensure the sweep is not cut or damaged. Therma-Tru sweeps may become stiff in cold temperatures. Use a blow dryer to gently warm the sweep, which should help it return to its proper position.
- Check the weatherstrip: Confirm that the weatherstrip is making proper contact with the door slab and is not deformed or damaged.
- Verify corner pads: Ensure the 7 corner pads are installed correctly and caulked securely in place.
- Inspect foam insulation: Check that the foam insulation around the frame is intact and free of gaps that could allow cold air to penetrate.
- Seal the exterior: Make sure the door is fully caulked on the exterior according to Therma-Tru installation guidelines.
- Non-Flush-Glazed units: Frost or ice buildup can occur on Non-Flush-Glazed doors and sidelites during extreme cold. This is not a defect but a result of the approximately ¼-inch air space between the insulated glass and the door slab behind the lip-lite frame. Lowering indoor humidity levels can help prevent frost or ice buildup in these areas.
For additional guidance, refer to this installation video to ensure the weatherstrip, sill cap, and corner pads are positioned correctly.
By addressing these steps, most concerns should be resolved. If frost buildup persists after temperatures return to more typical winter levels (30–35°F) and all these measures have been taken, you may proceed with a warranty claim. Complete the Warranty Claim Form, include photos from your evaluation, and we will initiate the warranty process.
For additional guidance, refer to this installation video to ensure the weatherstrip, sill cap, and corner pads are positioned correctly.
By addressing these steps, most concerns should be resolved. If frost buildup persists after temperatures return to more typical winter levels (30–35°F) and all these measures have been taken, you may proceed with a warranty claim. Complete the Warranty Claim Form, include photos from your evaluation, and we will initiate the warranty process.
Additional Industry Articles
Culture, Challenges, and Opportunities: A Q&A with Jeff Malloch, VP of Building Materials
Eight months into his new role, Lumbermen’s VP of Building Materials Jeff Malloch discusses the company, market trends, and dealer opportunities.
Spring for Storm Doors—2 Great Options from Larson & Lumbermen’s
After a long, dark winter, Midwest homeowners are eager for fresh air and sunlight, making spring the perfect time to promote storm doors to your customers.Lumbermen’s proudly offers a comprehensive inventory of Larson Storm Doors, ensuring we are your go-to source for their products.
3 Strategies to Grow Your Decking Business
Growing your decking business requires more than just quality craftsmanship—it takes strategic planning and effective customer engagement. Whether you’re looking to attract new clients, improve your sales approach, or enhance your brand’s visibility, having the right tools and knowledge at your disposal is essential. Here we explore three key strategies to help you expand your reach and increase your success.
4 Reasons Dealers Should Use Email Marketing to Connect with Customers
When meeting with Dealers to talk about marketing, I usually ask if they are using email marketing. Often, they aren’t—despite having a decent list of names and email addresses. The truth is, email marketing is a powerful tool for strengthening relationships with customers.
4 Steps to Elevating Your Decking Sales
Decking season is upon us and if the forecasts are accurate, the opportunities will be immense. In this article, we’ll share actionable steps and valuable insights to help you elevate your sales game and drive success in 2025.
Q&A with Shawn Klysen, Senior Sales Advisor, Minnesota Door Division
As part of Lumbermen’s exciting expansion of Door Manufacturing and Distribution operations in Minnesota, we were thrilled to welcome Shawn Klysen to our team as Senior Sales Advisor in December.
In this Q&A, Shawn shares his insights on the industry, his plans for driving success in Minnesota, and what excites him most about joining the Lumbermen’s family.
Rethinking Relationship Building: Creating Unique Experiences Beyond the Golf Course
Are the events you plan aligned with what your customers really want? It’s important that they genuinely enjoy their time with you, so why not ask them what they’d like to do? You might be surprised by their suggestions.
4 Strategies to Boost Storm Door Sales
As the weather cools and we prepare for what’s predicted will be a particularly cold winter, now is a great time to promote your storm door offerings. In this article, we share actionable steps and valuable tools to help you elevate your sales game and drive sales!
4 Simple Tips to Elevate Your Marketing
We asked the Lumbermen’s Marketing team members to each share one tip Dealers can consider when amping up their marketing efforts this fall.
Lumbermen’s & Therma-Tru Launch Social Media Campaign Aimed to Drive Leads to Dealer
Lumbermen’s and Therma-Tru have recently initiated a dynamic social media campaign with the goal of enhancing customer engagement and increasing sales leads for dealers. This approach uses digital marketing strategies to emphasize the distinctive qualities and benefits of their products.
Navigating Your Business in Uncertain Times
While the ride in the building materials industry has been pretty incredible the past couple of years, the truth is that a potential slowdown is looming. We can hope for changes addressing inflation and high interest rates, but in the meantime the focus should be on what you can control. Choose to take this time to finally take a breath and reevaluate your business and strategy.
Unlocking Innovation: Door Industry Highlights from the International Builders Show 2024
Every year, Las Vegas welcomes members of the building industry to the International Builders Show, and Lumbermen’s was there, along with thousands of other folks from around the world! There is so much to see and do, it is hard to take it all in, so here are some highlights from our friends in the Door industry and what they are excited about in 2024.
6 Advantages of Storm Doors
Storm doors are often an overlooked feature in many homes, yet they offer a wide range of benefits that can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your living space. Here we explore the many advantages of storm doors, from energy efficiency and security to natural light and improving indoor comfort.
Culture, Challenges, and Opportunities: A Q&A with Jeff Malloch, VP of Building Materials
Eight months into his new role, Lumbermen’s VP of Building Materials Jeff Malloch discusses the company, market trends, and dealer opportunities.
Spring for Storm Doors—2 Great Options from Larson & Lumbermen’s
After a long, dark winter, Midwest homeowners are eager for fresh air and sunlight, making spring the perfect time to promote storm doors to your customers.Lumbermen’s proudly offers a comprehensive inventory of Larson Storm Doors, ensuring we are your go-to source for their products.
3 Strategies to Grow Your Decking Business
Growing your decking business requires more than just quality craftsmanship—it takes strategic planning and effective customer engagement. Whether you’re looking to attract new clients, improve your sales approach, or enhance your brand’s visibility, having the right tools and knowledge at your disposal is essential. Here we explore three key strategies to help you expand your reach and increase your success.
4 Reasons Dealers Should Use Email Marketing to Connect with Customers
When meeting with Dealers to talk about marketing, I usually ask if they are using email marketing. Often, they aren’t—despite having a decent list of names and email addresses. The truth is, email marketing is a powerful tool for strengthening relationships with customers.
4 Steps to Elevating Your Decking Sales
Decking season is upon us and if the forecasts are accurate, the opportunities will be immense. In this article, we’ll share actionable steps and valuable insights to help you elevate your sales game and drive success in 2025.
Q&A with Shawn Klysen, Senior Sales Advisor, Minnesota Door Division
As part of Lumbermen’s exciting expansion of Door Manufacturing and Distribution operations in Minnesota, we were thrilled to welcome Shawn Klysen to our team as Senior Sales Advisor in December.
In this Q&A, Shawn shares his insights on the industry, his plans for driving success in Minnesota, and what excites him most about joining the Lumbermen’s family.
Rethinking Relationship Building: Creating Unique Experiences Beyond the Golf Course
Are the events you plan aligned with what your customers really want? It’s important that they genuinely enjoy their time with you, so why not ask them what they’d like to do? You might be surprised by their suggestions.
4 Strategies to Boost Storm Door Sales
As the weather cools and we prepare for what’s predicted will be a particularly cold winter, now is a great time to promote your storm door offerings. In this article, we share actionable steps and valuable tools to help you elevate your sales game and drive sales!
4 Simple Tips to Elevate Your Marketing
We asked the Lumbermen’s Marketing team members to each share one tip Dealers can consider when amping up their marketing efforts this fall.
Lumbermen’s & Therma-Tru Launch Social Media Campaign Aimed to Drive Leads to Dealer
Lumbermen’s and Therma-Tru have recently initiated a dynamic social media campaign with the goal of enhancing customer engagement and increasing sales leads for dealers. This approach uses digital marketing strategies to emphasize the distinctive qualities and benefits of their products.
Navigating Your Business in Uncertain Times
While the ride in the building materials industry has been pretty incredible the past couple of years, the truth is that a potential slowdown is looming. We can hope for changes addressing inflation and high interest rates, but in the meantime the focus should be on what you can control. Choose to take this time to finally take a breath and reevaluate your business and strategy.
Unlocking Innovation: Door Industry Highlights from the International Builders Show 2024
Every year, Las Vegas welcomes members of the building industry to the International Builders Show, and Lumbermen’s was there, along with thousands of other folks from around the world! There is so much to see and do, it is hard to take it all in, so here are some highlights from our friends in the Door industry and what they are excited about in 2024.
6 Advantages of Storm Doors
Storm doors are often an overlooked feature in many homes, yet they offer a wide range of benefits that can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your living space. Here we explore the many advantages of storm doors, from energy efficiency and security to natural light and improving indoor comfort.
