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

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

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1. Top manufacturers
   
2. Types of entrance doors
3. Entry door selection options
4. What is the best door to choose
5. Ready or on order
   
6. How much is the front door

Top manufacturers

Currently, the market is represented by a large number of models of entrance doors from a variety of manufacturers - from Chinese consumer goods to products of famous European concerns, the quality of which is time-tested. Domestic manufacturers are not far behind: in the opinion of many buyers, it is their products that have an excellent price-performance ratio. You can recommend to purchase products from the following manufacturers:

1. The Guardian

2. "Intekron"

3. "Volkhovets"

4. "Steel Porter"

Types of entrance doors

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

One and 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

Entrance doors made of steel are currently very popular. The basis of the design is a steel frame, lined with a metal sheet, the thickness of which may vary depending on the functional purpose. Covered with a special polymer composition, these doors have a stylish, elegant appearance and perfectly cope with their responsibilities.

Virtues

• Excellent strength;

• A huge variety of models, varying in price;

• Ability to manufacture on non-standard patterns and patterns;

• A wide range of materials used;

• Excellent anti-vandal options;

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. Almost any wood species can be the basis of the design, and it is from this that the total cost of a particular model significantly varies.They have a beautiful appearance - the surface of such doors can have a natural look, made by staining or varnishing, or covered with leatherette, leatherette or other materials similar in their characteristics.

Virtues

• Low weight;

• The possibility of manufacturing according to individual drawings;

• Stylish appearance, a wide variety of exterior finishes;

• Excellent performance;

disadvantages

• Mediocre soundproofing;

• Low anti-vandal characteristics;

• The high cost models of expensive woods;

Entrance doors made of glass

In everyday life, these doors almost did not find use, but are widely used in office buildings, as well as catering facilities - restaurants, bars, cafes. They are based on high-strength anti-vandal glass, resistant to mechanical stress. The surface can be either natural, translucent or transparent, look, or be covered with tinting or special mirror coating that allows you to hide the interior of the room from prying eyes.

Virtues

• 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 most simple to use and do not require additional maintenance doors They are based on the traditional PVC profile, attached to a solid frame. Can be both integral and with a glass insert. They are widely used in office and residential premises - polyclinics, banks, hotels.

Virtues

• Low weight;

• Democratic value;

• A large number of colors and models;

• The universal design providing long-term operation practically in any conditions and at any temperature;

• Decent sound insulation;

disadvantages

• Low thermal stability - when burning, even those models that are made of non-flammable plastic are significantly deformed;

• Low anti-vandal resistance;

Entry door selection options

Choosing the front door for an apartment or a country house, you need to pay attention to the following features.

Door thickness

The parameter to which you should pay close attention when choosing a metal door. As a rule, the term “thickness” of a door means the thickness of the facing metal sheet, which is the outer layer facing the street. The thicker it is - the more durable, massive and tough the door is, but we should not forget that every additional millimeter of thickness entails a serious increase in the total weight in general and a serious load on the hinges, fasteners and door box in particular. It is for this reason that a door with a thickness of 1-2 millimeters is quite enough for apartment buildings; for a cottage, a door with a sheet thickness of up to 3-4 millimeters should be chosen. Thickening up to 5-6 millimeters is allowed only in the area of ​​locks and the door handle - those places that are subject to mechanical stress from the burglar more often.

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 first ones are distinguished by simplicity of installation and low price, however, they are inferior to the internal ones in terms of security, since they can be cut off by hackers.To prevent this from happening, it is necessary that the doors be equipped with special locking devices - bolts that do not allow the doors to be taken out of the box in case of removal of 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 - it is also high-quality door handles, selected according to specific functional features, as well as the general style of the door. They should be comfortable to use and not cause discomfort during use.

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

Locks

The key element that directly affects the security of the entrance door, as well as the overall reliability of the structure. The models presented in the sale are divided into conditional classes, reflecting the time that an attacker would need for an autopsy. The higher the class of the lock, the longer it will take to open it and the more expensive that particular lock is. As a rule, an apartment of 3-4 class is enough for an apartment, opening it takes about 35-40 minutes - the attacker is unlikely to remain unnoticed for such a long time. If the entrance is equipped with an intercom and video surveillance system, security issues fade into the background, and therefore installing a lock of 2-3 classes will be quite enough.

Heat and sound insulation

The metal entrance door is not only security and protection against burglary, but also an obstacle to extraneous sounds, noises, smells, as well as heat loss during the cold season.

1. To isolate a 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 weight and high heat insulating performance, they do not increase the total weight of the structure. Expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, foam plastic and other materials similar in their parameters - these are the main sound insulators used in the manufacture of metal doors;

2. In addition to sound insulation, the above materials also serve for thermal insulation. They prevent heat leaks in the cold season and the penetration of hot air into the summer heat. And in order to maximize thermal insulation, special seals are used, with the help of which they glue the perimeter of the door in contact with the door frame. Using this simple method minimizes the gap and prevents the appearance of drafts and the flow of cold air.

Anti-vandal properties

Of course, the conversation about the characteristics of the entrance doors must begin with this parameter. It is a complex of engineering solutions - related both to the frame and the lining of the door, and the design and mechanism of the locking devices. The most reliable are metal doors.

Door dimensions

Before you give preference to a particular model, you must determine whether it fits in the opening. They take into account not only the width and height, 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 pledge not only to the reliable construction of the door, but also to the used locks. All of them are divided into classes, which reflect how long it will take an attacker to open one or another lock. The best models of entrance doors, in addition to the central locking itself, are equipped with anti-detachable pins entering the top and bottom of the door frame. In order to protect your home from burglary, you should use locks of 3 or 4 classes, equipped with different locking systems.

Appearance and design of the door

Choosing the front door, you need to focus on its appearance. It should be organically combined with the interior of the room, and organically fit into the exterior of the room from the outside. Stainless steel, covered with special polymer compounds, polyvinyl chloride, natural wood veneer - everyone can choose the front door to your taste!

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 an eye with a viewing angle of 180 degrees, providing clear and clear visibility even in low light.

Door weight

A parameter directly affecting the ability to install a particular door in certain conditions. The greater the weight of the door - the higher the load on the hinges, the door frame and the walls in places of fixation. It is also very difficult to open heavy doors for pensioners and small children. Choosing the front door for the home, it is best to give preference to doors that weigh less than 80-85 kilograms.

What is the best door to choose

1. 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 lock of 2 or 3 classes, as well as anti-pin pins, which enhance safety;

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

3. If the door to be chosen is installed in a private house, fenced around the perimeter with a high fence that prevents unauthorized entry, you can give preference to a glass door or PVC models. Plastic models are ideal for loggias, living rooms, summer kitchens and other non-residential premises;

Ready or on order?

1. This question has not lost its relevance in the present. A large number of companies engaged in the production of metal doors, offers the attention of buyers as ready-made options, and the possibility of an individual order of a particular door, taking into account the wishes of the customer.
2. Ready doors are good for those who do not want to bother with the choice and purchase of a particular model. Any options, different cost - 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. Doors under the order are chosen by those who wish to receive an exclusive, not having analog version, or faced with the need to install a door of 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 varies in the range of 6-16 thousand rubles;
2. Models made of glass are somewhat more expensive. Their cost starts from 7-8 thousand and can reach up to 18-20 thousand rubles;
3. Reliable metal doors - the most expensive. Their cost almost always exceeds 10 thousand rubles and can reach 25-30 thousand.

In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose interior doors and secrets door closer selection.

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