WHAT IS THERMAL BREAK?

THERMAL BREAK is material of low thermal conductivity, creating a thermal break between the door's conductive materials. This barrier helps to reduce heat conduction through the metal door framing.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The operating principle of a thermal break is to isolate the outside frame from the inside frame so that outdoor conditions will not affect the indoor temperature. It is like a barrier set inside a door frame.

A Thermal Break is accomplished when a material of low thermal conductivity is placed between the two halves of the metal frame to stop energy transfer. This reduces heat conduction through the door’s metal framing and achieves energy efficiency.

STRUCTURE

Cross section of IWD thermal break iron door

ABS insulating barrier in the middle of the door, frame and threshold.

We fill Argon Gas in our dual-pane or triple-pane tempered glass for our thermal break iron doors for better insulation. Argon is a kind of inert gas that does not conduct heat as well as air, so it's an excellent insulator. Argon gas filling can also be a means of reducing sound transfer through an insulating glass unit to improve privacy protection.

For thermal break doors, we also suggest Low-E coating on the glass. It helps block infrared light from penetrating the glass from the outside. In addition, Low-E helps keep your heating/cooling energy. Low-E argon insulating glass is an ideal option for thermal break iron doors.

THERMAL BREAK IN WINE CELLAR DOORS

IWD Wine Cellar Doors are often designed as thermal break doors to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels within the cellar. The thermal break technology helps to prevent heat transfer, ensuring that the interior of the cellar remains cool and stable. This is crucial for preserving the quality and flavor of the wines stored inside. Additionally, thermal break doors offer enhanced insulation, helping to regulate temperature fluctuations and reduce energy costs associated with climate control. Overall, the design of thermal break doors for wine cellars helps to create the ideal environment for wine storage, ensuring that your collection is properly protected and aged to perfection.

A thermal break door is much more expensive. You may wonder if it is necessary to pay an additional cost for the upgrade. All our standard iron doors are insulated with high-density foam for energy efficiency basically. A thermal break door provides better insulation to withstand harsh winters or hot summers. It is very popular among our New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, etc.-based customers. If the weather of the place where you live is neither too cold nor too hot, standard iron doors are workable if you have a limited budget.

Notes: The occurrence of condensation issues cannot be avoided in cases where there is a significant temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor environments, even when using a thermal break door. We don't consider it a defective product.

DO I NEED TO UPGRADE MY DOOR TO A THERMALLY BROKEN ONE?

The answer is yes. The energy savings and improved indoor comfort from a thermal-break door will gradually offset the upgrade cost over time. In certain regions, upgrading is not just recommended—it is highly advisable. A thermal-break door is especially important if you live in a state with extreme heat, harsh winters, or large temperature swings. Homeowners in the following regions will see the greatest benefits:
🥵 Hot climates: Arizona (AZ), Nevada (NV), Texas (TX), New Mexico (NM), Florida (FL)
🥶 Cold climates: Minnesota (MN), Wisconsin (WI), Michigan (MI), New York (NY), the entire Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, RI, VT), and most Northern states
🌡️ Wide temperature swings: Tennessee (TN), Kentucky (KY), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), Oregon (OR), Idaho (ID), Missouri (MO), Kansas (KS), Oklahoma (OK)
In these areas, a thermal-break door provides better comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term durability compared to a standard iron door. You can click here to view our full guide on the states where upgrading to a thermal-break door is recommended.