A storm door is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to your Illinois home. It protects your entry door from weather, improves energy efficiency, adds ventilation, and enhances curb appeal — all for a relatively modest investment. Here's everything you need to know about choosing and installing a storm door in 2026.
Types of Storm Doors
Full-view storm doors feature a single large glass panel that maximizes natural light and gives you an unobstructed view. Many have interchangeable glass and screen panels so you can switch between seasons. This is the most popular style in Chicagoland and what we install most often. Prices range from $400-$900 installed.
Retractable screen storm doors have a screen that rolls up and disappears into the top of the door frame when not in use. When you want ventilation, pull the screen down. When you don't, it's completely hidden. These are premium models from brands like Larson and run $600-$1,200 installed.
Security storm doors feature reinforced frames, multi-point locks, and tamper-resistant hinges. Some include decorative wrought-iron grilles. These are excellent for homeowners who want both security and ventilation. Prices range from $500-$1,000 installed.
Energy Savings
A quality storm door creates an insulating air pocket between itself and your entry door, reducing energy loss by 10-15%. For Illinois homeowners dealing with subzero winters and humid summers, that air pocket makes a noticeable difference in both comfort and energy bills — typically $15-$30 per month in savings.
Professional vs DIY Installation
While storm doors can technically be a DIY project, professional installation ensures proper alignment, weathersealing, and operation. A poorly installed storm door can damage your entry door, leak air, or fail to close properly. Our door crews install storm doors daily and guarantee a perfect fit.
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Choosing for the direction your door faces
The exposure of the doorway should drive the choice. A north or east door gets little direct sun, so a full-view glass storm door is ideal: maximum light and no heat problem. A south or west door in full afternoon sun is different. Heat builds between the storm door and the entry door, and it can fade paint or stress a dark-colored door. On those exposures choose Low-E glass or a style with a vent, and leave the screen in during summer.
What separates a good storm door from a cheap one
Frame thickness, corner construction and the closer. Thin frames twist, and once a frame is twisted the latch stops catching and the door slams. A heavier extruded aluminum frame with reinforced corners stays square. Two closers on a tall or wind-exposed door keep it from being ripped open. Those are the reasons we install ProVia, built to the measured opening.
Document before anything else
Insurance decisions are made on evidence. Note the date of the storm, photograph dents in gutters, vents and the air conditioner, and keep any hailstones in the freezer or photograph them next to a coin. Save weather alerts from that day. If something needs a temporary repair to prevent more damage, keep the receipts. Then get a professional inspection with photos of every slope before the adjuster comes.
Common questions
Can a storm door fit an 8-foot or odd-size opening? +
Yes. ProVia builds custom sizes, which is why we use them on tall and non-standard entries.
Are storm doors worth it in Illinois? +
Yes for most homes. They protect the entry door from rain, snow and sun, cut drafts in winter and let you ventilate in spring and fall.
Will a storm door make my front door too hot? +
It can on a dark door in direct afternoon sun. Low-E glass or a vented style prevents heat build-up on those exposures.
How long does it take to install a storm door? +
Usually an hour or two once the door arrives. We measure first because each door is built to its opening.
Should I get an inspection before calling my insurer? +
Yes. A free inspection tells you whether there is enough damage to justify a claim, so you do not open one for nothing.
