How to choose the front door to an apartment or private house

The front door is not just one element of the security system. Acquaintance with a home or office space begins precisely with contact with it, and therefore the quality, aesthetics and design of the front door can tell a lot about the level of wealth, the owner's image and his attitude to his own status. Well, and of course, do not forget that it is the front door as a whole that is responsible for the safety of the room, and therefore the most careful attention must be paid to the choice of the most suitable option and the correctness of its installation.

Top manufacturers

Currently, a large number of models of entrance doors from various manufacturers are presented on the market – from Chinese consumer goods to products of well-known European concerns, the quality of which is time-tested. Domestic manufacturers are not lagging behind: according to many buyers, it is their products that have an excellent price-quality ratio. Products of the following manufacturers can be recommended for purchase:

1. 'Guardian'

2. 'Intekron'

3. 'Volkhovets'

4. 'Steel porter'

Types of entrance doors

Entrance models differ from all other types of doors, first of all, by their own purpose. These devices are installed at the entrance to the premises, and therefore, in addition to an aesthetic appearance, they must provide maximum protection against burglary and penetration, absorb noises and sounds coming from the street, and also level out temperature drops inside and outside the premises – that is, play a role a kind of thermal barrier.

Without exception, all models of entrance doors can be divided into several main categories, depending on the material, as well as on the functional performance.

Metal doors

Steel entrance doors are very popular nowadays. The structure is based on a steel frame lined with a metal sheet, the thickness of which can vary depending on the functional purpose. Coated with a special polymer composition, these doors have a stylish, graceful appearance and do an excellent job of their duties.

Advantages

• Excellent durability;

• A huge variety of models that differ in price;

• Possibility of manufacturing according to non-standard templates and samples;

• A wide range of materials used;

• Excellent anti-vandal parameters;

disadvantages

• Heavy and bulky;

• It is difficult enough to open in case of loss of keys;

Wooden doors

Entrance doors made of natural solid wood. The design can be based on almost any type of wood, and it is from this that the final cost of a particular model varies significantly. They are distinguished by an excellent appearance – the surface of such doors can have a natural look, made by staining or varnishing, or be covered with leatherette, leatherette or other materials that are similar in their characteristics.

Advantages

• Low weight;

• Possibility of manufacturing according to individual drawings;

• Stylish appearance, a wide variety of exterior finishing options;

• Excellent performance;

disadvantages

• Mediocre soundproofing;

• Low anti-vandal characteristics;

• The high cost of models from expensive wood species;

Entrance doors made of glass

In everyday life, such doors are practically not used, however, they are widely used in office buildings, as well as public catering facilities – restaurants, bars, cafes. They are based on high-strength anti-vandal glass, resistant to mechanical stress. The surface can have both a natural, translucent or transparent look, and can be covered with tint or a special mirror coating, which allows you to hide the interior of the room from prying eyes.

Advantages

• Low weight;

• A huge variety of models, colors and form factors;

• Stylish design;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for residential use;

• Mediocre noise and heat insulation;

• Low anti-vandal characteristics – a strong blow with a metal object is enough for such a door to crumble into thousands of small pieces;

PVC doors

The easiest doors to use and do not require additional maintenance. They are based on a traditional PVC profile attached to a sturdy frame. They can be either solid or with a glass insert. They are widely used in office and household premises – clinics, banks, hotels.

Advantages

• Low weight;

• Democratic cost;

• A large number of colors and models;

• Versatile design that ensures long-term operation in virtually any conditions and at any temperature;

• Decent soundproofing;

disadvantages

• Low thermal stability – even those models that are made of non-combustible plastic are significantly deformed during arson;

• Low anti-vandal resistance;

Entrance door selection options

When choosing an entrance door for an apartment or a country house, you need to pay attention to the following features.

Door thickness

A parameter that should be paid close attention to when choosing a metal door. Generally, the term 'thickness' of a door refers to the thickness of the cladding sheet metal, which is the outer layer facing the street. The thicker it is, the more durable, massive and rigid the door is, but one should not forget that each additional millimeter of thickness entails a serious increase in the total weight in general and a serious load on the hinges, fasteners and door frame in particular. For this reason, for apartment buildings, a door with a thickness of 1-2 millimeters is quite enough, for a cottage, you should choose a door with a sheet thickness of up to 3-4 millimeters. Thickening up to 5-6 millimeters is allowed only in the area of ​​locks and the door handle – those places that are most often exposed to mechanical stress from the burglar.

Fittings

This term, first of all, includes fastening hinges, with which the door itself is attached to the door frame. Almost all models are equipped with two main types of hinges – external, overhead, and internal, hidden inside the door frame. The former are distinguished by ease of installation and low price, but they are inferior to the internal ones in terms of security, since they can be cut off by burglars. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary that the doors be equipped with special locking devices – crossbars, which do not allow removing the doors from the box in case of dismantling the hinges. When choosing hinges, it is important to consider the total weight of the door. In the case of heavy models, in order to avoid distortions during operation, it is necessary to choose hinges equipped with protective support bearings, which reduce friction and greatly facilitate the door movement.

Accessories are also high-quality door handles, selected taking into account specific functional features, as well as the overall style of the door. They should be easy to use and not cause discomfort during use.

Another element related to fittings is the door closer. It ensures smooth door closing and eliminates unnecessary noise. You can always be sure that the door will slam shut even with a slight movement of your hand.

Locks

A key element that directly affects the safety of the entrance door as well as the overall reliability of the structure. The commercially available models are divided into conditional classes that reflect the time it will take an attacker to open. The higher the class of the lock, the longer it will take to open it and the more expensive one or another lock is. As a rule, a class 3-4 lock is quite enough for an apartment, the opening of which takes about 35-40 minutes – it is unlikely that an attacker will remain unnoticed for such a long time. If the entrance is equipped with an intercom and a video surveillance system, security issues fade into the background, and therefore the installation of a class 2-3 lock will be quite enough.

Heat and sound insulation

A metal front door is not only security and protection against burglary, but also an obstacle to extraneous sounds, noises, odors, as well as heat loss in the cold season.

1. In order to isolate the room from noise, special soundproofing materials are used. They are mounted inside the door frame, filling all cavities and voids, and due to their low dead weight and high thermal insulation performance, they do not increase the total weight of the structure. Expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, polystyrene and other materials similar in their parameters – these are the main sound insulators used in the manufacture of metal doors;

2. Besides sound insulation, the above materials also serve for thermal insulation. They prevent heat leakage during the cold season and the penetration of hot air during the summer heat. And in order to maximize thermal insulation, special seals are used, with which the perimeter of the door is glued in contact with the door frame. With this simple method, the gap is minimized and drafts and cold air are prevented.

Anti-vandal properties

Of course, it is necessary to start talking about the characteristics of entrance doors with this parameter. It is a complex of engineering solutions – concerning both the frame and facing of the door, and the structure and mechanism of locking devices. The most reliable are metal doors.

Door dimensions

Before giving preference to this or that model, it is necessary to determine whether it will fit into the opening. Not only the width and height are taken into account, but also the thickness of the walls. When measuring these parameters, it is necessary to add 10-20 millimeters to the so-called 'mounting gap'.

Locking devices

Anti-vandal security is a guarantee not only of a reliable door structure, but also of used locks. All of them are subdivided into classes that reflect how long it will take an attacker to open a particular lock. The best models of entrance doors, in addition to the central lock itself, are equipped with anti-removable pins that go into the top and bottom of the door frame. In order to protect your home from burglary, you should use class 3 or 4 locks equipped with various locking systems.

Door appearance and design

When choosing an entrance door, you must also focus on its appearance. It should be organically combined with both the interior of the room and organically fit into the exterior of the room from the outside. Stainless steel coated with special polymer compounds, polyvinyl chloride, natural wood veneer – everyone can choose an entrance door to their liking!

Peephole

The survey device also plays an important role and is, in fact, one of the elements of passive safety. Preference should be given to models equipped with a peephole with a viewing angle of 180 degrees, providing clear and clear visibility even in low light.

Door weight

A parameter that directly affects the ability to install a particular door under certain conditions. The greater the weight of the door, the higher the load on the hinges, door frame and walls at the fixing points. It is also very difficult to open heavy doors for pensioners and small children. When choosing an entrance door for a house, it is best to give preference to doors weighing no more than 80-85 kilograms.

Which front door is better to choose

1. When choosing a door for an apartment or a private house, it is best to give preference to metal models, the casing of which is made of steel with a thickness of about 3 millimeters. The door should be equipped with a class 2 or 3 lock, as well as anti-drop pins, which greatly increase safety;

2. If the door is chosen for installation in the apartment, and the entrance is reliably protected by an intercom, the anti-vandal characteristics can be somewhat neglected. For such purposes, a model made of natural wood or thin-walled metal, about 1-1.2 millimeters in thickness, is quite suitable. However, the indulgences do not apply to the locking device: a reliable class 3 or 4 lock is required;

3. If the chosen door will be installed in a private house, surrounded by a high fence around the perimeter, which excludes the entry of unauthorized persons, you can give preference to a glass door or a PVC model. Plastic models are perfect for loggias, living rooms, summer kitchens and other non-residential premises;

Ready-made or custom-made?

1. This issue has not lost its relevance at the present time. A large number of companies engaged in the production of metal doors offer customers both ready-made options and the possibility of individual ordering of a specific door, taking into account the wishes of the customer.
2. Ready-made doors are good for those who do not want to bother with the choice and purchase of a particular model. Any options, different prices – choose any. The versatility of these doors is both an advantage and a disadvantage: in the case of the need for installation in a non-standard doorway, you will have to sweat seriously;
3. Custom-made doors are chosen by those who want to get an exclusive one that does not have an analogue, or who are faced with the need to install a door of a non-standard size and configuration. Every wish of the customer is taken into account, but you have to pay for everything: custom-made doors are much more expensive than their counterparts;

How much is the front door?

1. Plastic models that do not differ in special anti-vandal resistance are the cheapest – the price for them fluctuates in the range of 6-16 thousand rubles;
2. Models made of glass are somewhat more expensive. Their cost starts at 7-8 thousand and can go up to 18-20 thousand rubles;
3. Reliable metal doors are the most expensive. Their cost almost always exceeds 10 thousand rubles and can reach 25-30 thousand.

In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose the right interior doors and the secrets of choosing a door closer.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.