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.
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