The choice of the front door is a rather crucial moment, since the safety of all the property of a house or apartment, and sometimes the life of the owners, will depend on its design. Today, the assortment of specialized stores is formed by many manufacturers presenting their products, which have a wide range of prices - from the most modest to very high. Therefore, you can always choose a door that will fully meet the capabilities of homeowners.

The purpose of the front door is not only to protect housing from intruders, as it should prevent the penetration of external noise and cold air masses. In addition, there are models that can create a reliable barrier even to intense flames during a fire. How to choose an input metal door professional advice - they are necessarily given depending on where it will be installed: at the entrance to the apartment or in a private house, as well as taking into account many criteria that directly affect the performance of this design.

Criteria for choosing an entrance door

To clarify all the nuances, we turned to the Moscow manufacturer of entrance doors, ProfMaster, where more than 80% of orders are individual production. "to order", because this is the only way to choose a door without compromising on quality.

There is a list of the main points that you need to pay special attention to when purchasing front door:

• Place of installation. The door can be installed outdoors in a private house or at the entrance to an apartment, that is, in an entrance room protected from direct external influence. The choice of insulation material and outer skin will depend on this.
• Protection level. This criterion can be attributed to several aspects at once:

- the thickness of the metal used to make the door;

- frame design

- the number of metal layers in the door leaf;

- the number of stiffeners inside the canvas frame;

- the number and design of locks and hinges;

- the presence of a review element.

• insulation material. In order for the door not to let in cold masses and extraneous noise, it is insulated with mineral wool, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam or cardboard. In some cheap models, insulation may be absent altogether.
• The number of seals. They can be installed on the door leaf or frame, in one, two or even three rows. For fire-resistant structures, sealing contours made of special materials are used.
• door weight. A high-quality product should be heavy, as it has reliable stiffening ribs and is made of high-quality, fairly thick metal sheet.
• A design solution that harmoniously fits the door into general design facade, if the door will be installed in a private house.
• Fire-fighting qualities of materials, if you plan to purchase a door that has protection against the spread of flame.
• Anti-vandal coating - especially necessary if there are animals in the house that can scratch the door lining, or in an apartment where there is no combination lock at the entrance to the entrance.
• The door must have a quality certificate or a passport for the product, which will indicate all its characteristics.

Evaluation of the main characteristics of doors

The price of such products is quite high, but you can be sure of the safety that they will fully provide. Therefore, in recent years, more and more apartment residents and home owners prefer this particular door option.

So, the design of the entrance doors must fully meet all the criteria for safety and comfort when opening and closing it, and also satisfy the homeowners in terms of its design. Therefore, when making a choice, you need to make a list of requirements for the door structure in advance, and if the model meets them, then this option is ideal for a specific entrance to a building or apartment.

This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The front door is a real outpost of any house or apartment. Even modern security alarms are based primarily on door block. Today, property owners also want to ensure the external attractiveness of the entrance group. You can find many beautiful inexpensive doors on the market, but you should not rush to buy. Experts recommend paying attention to several important points.

Criteria for choosing an entrance door

You can start with the main material of the front door. As you know, the ideal protection against a thief has not yet been invented. Therefore, from this point of view, metal, wooden, and plastic models will be equally protected.

Not able to prevent unauthorized entry into the house and modern locks. Even new security systems become vulnerable after a while. That's why reliable protection houses or apartments can provide only a whole range of measures.

It does not make sense for an apartment owner to buy an expensive door with improved sound insulation if the loud conversation of neighbors is clearly heard through the walls or ceiling. Yes, and the armor on the canvas will be clearly an extra protective element for the apartment.

When buying a steel model, you should pay attention to the quality of the coating. This is especially true for owners of houses and cottages. Good protection and aesthetic appearance are provided by polymer (powder) paint, as well as various decorative panels.

The front door has inner surface. When a young and stupid dog or cat is bored in the house, the claws of the animal can damage a beautiful canvas. Perhaps you should ask the sales assistant about the anti-vandal properties of the door.

In the domestic market, not only Russian, but also foreign manufacturers are actively defending their positions. Our companies have significantly improved the quality of workmanship, they are practically not inferior to imported analogues in design. At the same time, the price of domestic products is significantly lower.

Our review includes the best entrance doors. When compiling the rating, the following criteria were taken into account:

innovative designs;

sophistication of finishes;

wealth of the model range;

expert opinion;

consumer reviews.

Advantages and disadvantages of various types of entrance doors

Entrance door type	Advantages	Flaws
Wooden	Beautiful appearance Does not corrode Reliable penetration protection Easy installation	Warps from changes in humidity and temperature Easily scratched Additional processing required
plastic	Aesthetics and transparency light weight Ease of opening and closing Moisture resistance	Softness and fragility High price Fading out in the sun
Steel	Maximum reliability and durability Weather resistance Rich assortment Aesthetics and exclusivity	High price Difficulty of installation Big weight Strong corrosion protection required

Rating of the best entrance doors

The best entrance doors in the middle price segment

A reliable front door can be purchased at an affordable price. Many domestic manufacturers are implementing their own developments on modern equipment, which allows you to make a tempting offer to buyers. Experts have chosen several models in the middle price range.

Entrance doors under the Stal brand perfectly combine affordability and excellent quality. It is for these properties that users in the reviews call the model the best entrance door for an apartment. Experts are in solidarity with ordinary users, the products take the first line of the rating. The manufacturer managed to achieve balance in different parameters due to a complex design that provides high strength. Reinforced doors with armored inserts are made to order. System protection is provided to prevent unauthorized opening.

The lineup of Steel is constantly updated. The customer can choose from powder coated, wood, veneer or laminated panel finishes. The catalog has both models classic design and exclusive designs.

Advantages

a wide range of;

value for money;

Flaws

• bad service.

A distinctive feature of Neman entrance doors is the richest collection of models. Those buyers who are looking for inexpensive, but solid products, invariably opt for these doors. Experts gave the brand the second line of the rating for a large number of patents obtained for manufacturing technology. Thanks to innovative approaches, it is possible to create reliable and durable alloy steel structures. The manufacturer strictly controls the quality of each detail, carefully selects accessories from third-party companies. Handles and hinges consumers can choose as they wish. Even standard models are equipped with two locks.

Entrance doors Neman have earned a lot of flattering reviews from consumers, both for safety and for their stylish appearance.

Advantages

products have patents and certificates;

acceptable price;

stylish look.

Flaws

• budget doors are weak.

Outpost

In order to successfully compete in the domestic market, the Russian company Forpost had to launch door production in China. Since 2009, the products have become in great demand among Russians, and sales volumes have reached 500,000 doors per year. The manufacturer's achievements did not go unnoticed by experts who included Forpost doors in the top three of our rating. In general, ordinary users are satisfied with the products. They note the good build quality, a rich model range, and a developed service network.

Not without doors and some shortcomings. The most unpleasant of them is the appearance on the market of low-quality fakes.

Advantages

affordable price on prestigious models;

wide service network;

rich range.

Flaws

counterfeit products appeared;

poor sound insulation in budget models;

Fittings fit only original.

Bravo

The products of the Bravo factory have been occupying the leading positions on the Russian market for several years now. The range of the company includes not only input and interior doors, but also fittings and arches. Today, the manufacturer boasts a model range of 350 units. Here the buyer has a lot to choose from. The catalog contains the most modern views doors, from veneered models to 3D-Graf finishes. Doors also differ structurally, in the range there are sliding, folding and special models.

Door leafs under brands such as Bravo, Bravo Lux, Groff and Belarusian doors. All products are made from environmentally friendly materials, they meet the stringent requirements of international standards.

Advantages

a wide range of products;

affordable price;

a wide variety of designs and finishes.

Flaws

thin metal;

bad soundproofing.

Groff

Groff entrance doors are produced by the domestic manufacturer Bravo. They are a premium line. For the manufacture of canvases, thick steel is used, fire-resistant Knauf mineral wool as a heater. Structurally, the doors are reinforced with stiffeners, equipped with reliable locks. As a result, the products correspond to the fourth class of burglary resistance. All these qualities allowed Groff products to take their rightful place in our rating.

Entrance doors of this series are not only distinguished by strength and durability. They have exceptionally high aesthetic properties. For finishing, the manufacturer used a wide range decorative panels.

Advantages

massiveness and good quality;

good heat and sound insulation;

anti-slip pins.

Flaws

warped after six months of operation;

high price.

The best elite entrance doors

To protect a country trendy cottage, an elite front door is required. Buyers impose strict requirements on it not only in terms of reliability and burglary resistance, but also in appearance. In this segment, there is fierce competition between domestic and foreign brands. Here are the best ones.

Torex

Torex entrance doors are manufactured in accordance with the most advanced developments. The company's team has accumulated many years of experience, having launched production back in 1989. Today, the company can boast of a wide distribution network in the CIS. Production facilities are now fully loaded, and the annual production of doors has reached 10,000 units. The manufacturer does not stop there, new developments appear on the market with enviable constancy. Experts gave Torex entrance doors the laurels of the rating winner.

It is possible to ensure maximum strength and reliability of products through the use of two steel sheets. The role of the base is played by a one-piece bent profile 2 mm thick. Designers from Italy often take part in the design of doors.

Advantages

strength, reliability, heat resistance;

a rich line of models;

stylish design.

Flaws

• high price.

Elbor entrance doors have earned a lot of flattering words from consumers. The plant boasts a glorious history, the company was founded back in 1976. Working for the defense industry, the team got used to strict discipline and special requirements for product quality. Therefore, with the collapse Soviet Union knowledge and skills of people quickly found application. According to experts, Elbor entrance doors are the standard of reliability. Immunity to hacking allowed the brand to take the second line in our rating.

The company's products look great in other aspects as well. The doors are assembled very high quality, they have attractive design. Only in the range there are no available models for wide application.

Advantages

maximum protection against hacking;

good noise and heat insulation;

stylish look.

Flaws

high price;

no models available.

Italian door manufacturer Dierre needs no introduction. The products of this company are known in different countries world, as evidenced by the annual sales of 200 thousand products. In Russia, production facilities have been created that provide the domestic market with products with the Dierre trademark. The company independently develops new designs, introducing the latest achievements in the field of locking. So, "smart" entrance doors are equipped with a remote control system, the role of the key is played by a chip with 128-bit encryption.

A solid design is considered a chip of Italians. Under the chosen style, unique fittings are also made. Experts also note the high manufacturability of production, which allows products to stay in the top three of the rating.

Advantages

innovative approach;

unique design;

a large assortment.

Flaws

there is no choice of accessories;

high price.

Door blocks Fortus favorably differ from competitors in their design. They resemble the famous Lego toy, allowing the customer to assemble on their own suitable model. The choice is given the type of door (single- or double-leaf, combined), fittings, locking mechanism. The consumer determines the number of locks, the degree of secrecy, the color of the canvas, the shape of the handles, the method of finishing. Thanks to the extensive Fortus catalog, the total number of variants reaches four figures.

The manufacturer goes to meet its customers, making entrance doors of non-standard sizes in accordance with the proposed project. When creating door blocks, only quality materials, as well as reliable locks from Cisa, Esety, Mul-T-Lock and Mottura.

Advantages

quality assembly;

you can realize any idea;

smooth move.

Flaws

bad service;

rattling and poor sound insulation.

The original quality of finishing Legrand entrance doors was to the taste of domestic consumers. It is this fact that contributed to the entry of this brand into our rating. As a finishing material, the manufacturer used MDF panels, which are processed on modern CNC machines. To increase the service life, a polymer coating is used that protects the canvas from atmospheric influences. A wide range of colors adds variety to the range.

Some collections are getting off natural wood, which gives the doors an aristocratic and exclusivity. Buyers have a wide choice, from basic equipment to modified equipment. For easy movement, the door hinges are equipped with bearings.

Advantages

original finish;

a diverse range of models;

hinges on bearings.

Flaws

unreliable protection against corrosion;

bad soundproofing.

Bastion

One of the flagships in the production of entrance doors is the Bastion brand. Since the foundation of the company (1997), the team has focused on the production of door units available to the domestic consumer. Products are made according to the standard scheme, first a frame is formed from a metal profile square section. Then steel sheets are welded to it. The void is filled with basalt wool, which, in addition to good insulating properties, has fire resistance.

When choosing a model, the buyer is given the opportunity to independently determine the type of anti-burglary system and anti-removable loops. The finish can also be changed according to the client's requests. Glass or wooden elements, as well as forged inserts, are capable of decorating the door.

Advantages

the possibility of individual selection;

fire resistance;

good soundproofing.

Flaws

scratches finishing material;

high price.

The Russian manufacturer Guardian has been operating on the domestic market since 1994. Many users call the products of this brand the most beautiful. Experts took into account the opinion of consumers, including Guardian doors in our rating. The aesthetics of door blocks often plays a decisive role in choosing a buyer. Does not cause complaints and product reliability. High quality doors and Fire safety confirmed by numerous domestic and international certificates.

The range of the company includes a variety of doors. The catalog contains models for both rich people and thrifty homeowners. Users are critical of the promptness of the service. Even minor problems are fixed for a very long time, which causes a lot of inconvenience.

Advantages

high build quality;

a wide range in different price segments;

beautiful finish.

Flaws

not the most efficient service;

unreliable hardware.

The nuances of choosing an entrance door: choose, but check

Any dwelling begins with the entrance, so the appearance and reliability of the front door immediately set the general tone and can tell a lot about the owners. When choosing a door, everyone wants to solve two, at first glance, opposite tasks: to attract respectful glances from neighbors and to frighten intruders. And it is quite possible!

Our landmarks in the real sea of ​​entrance doors that the modern market offers will be the words "reliability" and "relevance": in addition to the quality of construction and finish, it is important that the chosen door meets the conditions of its operation.

Differences of entrance doors: not a single cladding

Let's forget about door design for a moment and look at the problem in terms of functionality and specifications products.

To choose the right door, you need to know what is hidden under the facing panels and other finishes. So, the entrance doors are different:

• By material. The most traditional are wooden doors. Currently, they are purchased either as a temporary or country option, if they are made of ordinary wood species, or for private premium-class houses - if we are talking about solid wood of noble species. Wooden doors have been preserved in many apartments in old houses, but at the first opportunity they are now trying to replace them with metal ones, which are the undoubted leaders in the entrance door market. There are also impact-resistant plastic entrance doors reinforced with metal inserts. It makes sense to install them in protected areas where the probability of intruders appearing is quite low, or in houses with common sections for two or three apartments. Then a metal door is placed in the vestibule, and a plastic one can be installed in the apartment. Safety glass doors are typically installed at the entrance to a secure residential or commercial building.

Among wooden doors oak is considered to be the strongest and most durable. However, the longevity record belongs to doors made of sycamore (German maple), found during excavations in Switzerland - they are more than five thousand years old, but they are perfectly preserved.

• By appointment. First of all, it is worth distinguishing between temporary and permanent doors. If you are building or renovating, it makes sense to put a wooden or thin metal door until you get around to installing a permanent one. The latter must withstand external shock loads, be non-combustible, and reliably provide heat and sound insulation. Depending on the specifics of the building or premises, one of these qualities may be more important than others. In accordance with the functional features, shockproof, armored, soundproof, fire (technical) entrance doors are distinguished. By appointment, entrance doors can be for residential or commercial premises, external (at the entrance to the building) or internal (at the entrance to individual apartments, offices, floors, vestibules).
• Opening method. Mainly used at the entrance to a building, apartment or office swing doors, but sometimes you can also see sliding ones - as a rule, these are glass entrance doors to office and shopping centers. According to the location of the hinges, the doors are divided into left-handed and right-handed, into rooms that open inside or outside.
• By the number of leaves. The most common are single-leaf doors, but sometimes the geometry of the doorway involves the installation of double-leaf or semi-leaf doors. A half-leaf door consists of an ordinary single-leaf door and a fixed narrow part that fills the remainder of the doorway. Such doors can be seen at the entrances to the entrances and in the vestibules of residential buildings.
• The shape of the opening. Standard doors have a rectangular shape, there are also arched ones - with a semicircular extension upwards. This is a matter of purely aesthetic preferences and design: sometimes a rectangular opening is increased to an arched one, and sometimes vice versa - an arched one is aligned to a rectangular one.
• According to the degree of resistance to opening. For residential premises, doors of 1-4 classes of burglar resistance are used, and there are 13 of them in total. The higher the burglary resistance class, the more expensive the door, so when choosing it is worth observing a reasonable measure. Doors, starting from the 5th class of resistance to breaking, are installed in special rooms, for example, in bank vaults.

Established stereotypes about the unequivocal superiority of doors European production over Russian and Chinese should be taken critically. The fact is that the products of each country have their own strengths and weaknesses. So, European doors are prestigious and technologically advanced, Russian doors are optimal in terms of price-quality ratio, Chinese doors are ideal for temporary use or summer cottages.

For houses and apartments, swing single-leaf metal entrance doors are currently predominantly chosen. Let's take a closer look at the features of their design.

The main structural elements of the front door

The reliability of the entrance metal door depends on the characteristics of the door frame and leaf, hinges, locks and fittings.

door frame

This is a frame made of metal profile, which is installed in the doorway. It is on it that the door hinges are attached, and on them, in turn, the door leaf is hung. The door frame carries a large load, so the thickness of the steel in its metal profile is greater than in the frame of the door leaf. IN modern models In door frames, a protected cavity is often made for the tongues of the lock and anti-burglary pins, crossbars, which complicate the opening of the door, even if part of the wall has been knocked out by intruders.

Door leaf

• Steel cladding and stiffeners. The door leaf is made up of metal frame reinforced with stiffeners and lined with steel sheets. Inexpensive Chinese doors, which are often set as temporary, are a frame made of a corner and metal sheets up to 1.2 mm thick. A reliable steel door is made of a stamped or rolled profile, the thickness of its skin is from 1.2 mm. European technologies involve the manufacture of doors from thinner steel sheets than Russian ones.
• Filler. A hollow steel door easily conducts sounds and does not protect from the cold, so the space between the steel sheets is filled with mineral wool, polystyrene foam, rigid polyurethane, non-combustible mineral wool board.

accessories

• Loops. Ideally, they should not only support the weight of the door, but also be adjustable so that the structure does not warp. The most reliable, but also the most expensive - hidden adjustable hinges made of steel. They differ from traditional loops in that they are almost impossible to cut. One such hinge costs an average of 2,000 rubles or more, which is an order of magnitude higher than the cost of a conventional door hinge. Mounting hinges with adjustment will also be more expensive. However, the reliability and smooth running of the door when opening and closing are sufficient arguments in favor of hidden hinges for many.
• Door knob. It must be durable and combined with the fittings as a whole. For example, if you are installing brass hinges, it would be logical to choose a handle from the same material.
• Peephole. It can be cut into the door to the height you specify or be installed immediately at the standard level. The viewing angle is typically 180°. Keep in mind that the peephole should be selected not only for the appearance, but also for the thickness of the door.

Locks

A pair of locking mechanisms - lever and cylinder - has already become a classic of protecting the door from burglary. It is important that all family members feel comfortable using both locks. Everyone is familiar with the situation when only one of the two locks is used in practice, since the second turned out to be inconvenient.

Manganese armor plates can be additionally placed on the door in the area of ​​the locking mechanisms so that the lock cannot be drilled out or knocked out. On door structures 2-3 classes of burglary resistance, such overlays are installed by default.

When choosing locks and accessories for the door, be guided by the principle of price matching: there is no point in hanging cheap door on expensive loops and vice versa. An expensive lock on a door made of thin steel can easily be cut out by intruders, and a cheap one can be opened with any thickness of steel. Such discrepancies are sometimes involuntarily evident.

How to choose an entrance door?

First of all, it is necessary to build on the conditions in which the door will be operated. If you live in an apartment without a vestibule, and access to the entrance is not limited, you will need a powerful steel door with anti-removable hinges. The same can be said about the door to the entrance itself. Finishing the door to the apartment in this case is secondary - as a rule, they are limited to powder (hammer) enamel. You can make a choice in favor of inexpensive leatherette upholstery. However, such a coating is not very aesthetically pleasing and is not protected from vandalism. The presence of a vestibule door somewhat expands the choice of possible options. decorative finishes and also allows homeowners to pay more attention to door soundproofing, handle design and other features.

Paint - inexpensive quality coating steel doors which many find boring. However, steel cladding can be made with decorative reliefs, it does not have to look like a smooth sheet. Powder paint is sometimes called hammer enamel. It is baked after application in special industrial chambers, forming a relief. A variety of textures will help you choose a budget door to your liking. In addition, powder enamel is almost not subject to mechanical and chemical damage.

For a summer residence, an inexpensive wooden or metal door without decor is suitable. In this case, you should be guided by common sense so as not to get into a ridiculous situation when the door becomes the main object of intruders. If your dacha or private house is located in a gated community, you can pay more attention to the decor when choosing a door. In prestigious cottage villages with professional security, the front door often performs exclusively aesthetic and heat-insulating functions, which means that it must be chosen based on these characteristics.

How much will you have to pay for the door, its delivery and installation? Prices for the same doors from different sellers can vary by one and a half to two times, and the low price of the door itself can be offset by an inflated price of delivery and installation. Do not forget to check and compare all the conditions for buying a door, ask for reviews about the manufacturer and the seller.

It will not work to turn a house into an impregnable fortress without a reliable, strong and durable front door. Metal doors are considered ideal in almost all respects, which are significantly superior to wooden counterparts in terms of protection and safety. However, the door of the door is different - the modern market is so saturated various options , which can be found both flawlessly and one that even an inexperienced burglar can easily crack. How to choose a metal front door so that it provides, pleases with its appearance and impeccable service? Let's stop at most important points that everyone should know before going to a store or a specialized company.

Attention! In the process of reading our material, you will understand that when choosing a front door, there are a lot of nuances and all of them are important. In turn, manufacturers are forced to sacrifice some parameters in order to make their product competitive in price for the mass consumer. In the event that you are not ready to compromise and are ready to pay for a quality door according to your optimal performance, then it is better to make a door to order directly from the manufacturer, where you can stipulate and write down all the future nuances in the contract.

No. 1. Design features of a metal door

The strength and reliability of the door to some extent depends on the characteristics of each of its constituent elements:

• door leaf - the main and largest part of the structure in terms of area, consists of a frame, inner and outer skin, as well as stiffeners and;
• door frame;
• lock;
• loops;
• sealant in one or more circuits;
• , and other accessories.

Door leaf made from sheet steel, which is obtained as a result of hot or cold rolling, on which the properties of the door largely depend:

• hot rolled steel it is dark in color, but it is not visible under the decorative coating. This is a relatively cheap material that is more susceptible to corrosion;
• cold rolled steel will cost more, but in terms of performance it is the best option- no atmospheric effects are not terrible for the material.

The strength is also significantly affected by the framework.. The most reliable will be the door in which the frame is made from profile pipe with one seam. Less durable is a frame made of four sections of hot-rolled shaped pipe-rolling, among themselves. The most unreliable will be the frame, in which each of the four segments is welded from two corners of the same length. Simply put, the fewer welds in the frame, the better, because each of them reduces the resistance to mechanical stress. The outer part of the door leaf must be made only of monolithic non-welded sheet, otherwise a blow with a sledgehammer of medium strength will damage the integrity of the structure.

No. 2. Steel thickness

The most important aspect that needs to be clarified when choosing a door is the thickness of the steel sheet. This setting may fluctuate 0.8 to 5.0 mm: the higher it is, the more reliable and durable the door will be. Along with the increase in security, the price and weight increase, which is also important to consider.

The scope of use of doors with different thickness of steel sheet is significantly different:

Some manufacturers use steel sheet only on the outside, insisting that this is enough to create a solid structure and making the inner panel, for example, from MDF. To be completely sure of your own safety, it is better to choose a door with two steel sheets. On sale you can find options that reinforced with another additional sheet of steel, located between the main external and internal, is the ideal of strength. Such doors are much more expensive than their simpler counterparts, weigh more and will by the way not in all cases.

When choosing a metal door, it is recommended to pay special attention to castle zone, since when hacked, it often takes most of the load. It’s great if this place is covered with a reinforcing steel sheet or even - this is a huge plus in terms of reliability, even if the door is made of not very thick steel sheets.

No. 3. Number of stiffeners

Between the outer steel sheet and the inner panel, no matter what it will be made of, stiffening ribs must be located, which are necessary to achieve maximum strength and resistance to mechanical stress. Stiffeners can be located vertically, horizontally or diagonally: it is important that they are evenly spaced throughout the structure, on which it depends.

The minimum set of stiffeners is two vertical and one horizontal. It is better if there are more of them, but without busting, because they significantly increase the weight of the entire structure.

Stiffeners can be produced:

No. 4. Thermal insulation and sound insulation of a metal door

Metal is not the best insulator against cold and extraneous sounds, therefore, earlier, when metal doors just began to massively appear in the domestic space, it was common practice to put two at once: one - metal to protect against unauthorized access, the second - wooden to keep heat in the apartment. Today the situation has changed significantly: although there are cold bridges in a metal door (this is a frame and stiffeners), it can become an independent protection against drafts, odors and cold.

High heat and sound insulation characteristics are achieved through the following elements:

Thermal insulation material is inserted between the frame and the stiffeners, filling all the space between the outer and inner sheet. More often in the production of steel doors, the following heaters are used:

• mineral wool - the most common option. The material has excellent soundproofing and noise-absorbing properties, retains heat, does not burn and does not emit harmful substances, but is prone to subsidence, so it may require additional crates;
  
• it has excellent heat and sound insulation properties, is durable, resistant to temperature and humidity changes, but is highly flammable and costs more than mineral wool;
• - one of the cheapest options. The material retains sounds and heat well, but is highly flammable, and the gaps between the foam and the stiffeners will need to be filled;
  
• penoplex in many ways resembles mineral wool, but is slightly inferior to it in terms of resistance to fire;
• foam rubber and synthetic winterizer are used infrequently, since a layer of 10 cm is required to achieve more or less acceptable insulating qualities;
• paper and pressed cardboard- good insulators, characterized by low cost and low weight, but inferior in terms of moisture resistance to other materials.

It is important that the manufacturer also fills the internal cavities with insulation. metal profiles, otherwise it is not necessary to talk about high thermal insulation qualities. It is not difficult to check this - just tap on the surface with a metal object: a dull sound indicates that the insulation is of high quality.

No. 5. External and internal finishing of a metal door

Steel sheets of the door leaf need decoration. When choosing interior finishes it is worth starting only from personal preferences and nuances of arrangement. Exterior finish must be resistant to changes in humidity, precipitation and sunbeams, if the door leads to the street, and withstand mechanical stress if you have pets. In the case when the door leads to a vestibule or entrance, there are no special requirements for its external decor.

Most popular finishes:

• powder coating involves the application of special paints to the surface, which, under the influence of high temperature, form an anti-vandal film. There are a lot of shades and types of coverage, so there will be plenty to choose from. Among the main advantages are excellent performance, resistance to any weather conditions and low price of the coating. Doors that lead from the street to the room, it is recommended to cover on both sides powder coating, without using wood and materials created from its fibers, so that changes in humidity and temperature do not force frequent repairs;
  
• solid wood- the most expensive, environmentally friendly and beautiful way door leaf finishes. Using staining and carving, you can get a real work of art. In addition, the tree will serve as an additional heat insulator;
• made on the basis of wood chips, have a thickness of 7-20 mm, covered with paint, a film with a pattern or a thin cut of valuable wood. Such panels allow you to decorate the door as you like, they are not cheap, the price range depending on the type of decorative coating is decent. Another advantage is good heat and sound insulation qualities;
  
• vinyl leather- once the most popular material for decorative door trim. It can be of any color, it imitates the structure of genuine leather well, inexpensive, but not durable enough;
• - a budget option for finishing the door, the choice is wide, their maintenance is simple, but the durability is low;
• pvc film lamination allows you to give the door any pattern, imitate leather or wood. The material is cheap, but short-lived, looks rustic;
• painting and varnishing can even be performed independently, but the stability of such a finish is low, as is the price.

Basically, these materials possible options door leaf finishes are not limited. Recently, it has become popular to decorate the inside: this expands the space and allows it, if it is not large.

No. 6. Focus on hinges

When it comes to choosing a front door, there are no trifles. The canvas can be thrice reliable, and the lock can be cunning and complex, but without good loops the apartment will still be easy prey for a burglar.

Today, metal doors are installed these types of loops:

As for the quantity, then for a web weighing 70 kg (the most common option with a steel thickness of 3 mm) enough for two loops. If the door weighs more or is intended for active use with opening / closing more than 50 times a day, then it is better to install 3-4 pieces of hinges. For massive doors, hinges are selected with support bearings, which will greatly facilitate the process of opening the leaf and avoid squeaks.

No. 7. Features of choosing a lock for a metal door

The front door must be reliably protected not only from "rough" breaking with, autogenous or a sledgehammer, but also from attempts at "intelligent" intrusion. Of course, if a door is chosen for country house, where they happen infrequently, then the strength of the structure should be given equal attention, but for an apartment in apartment building the cunning of the castle is even more important, because it is unlikely that the noise from the forceful methods of opening will go unnoticed by the neighbors. However, there is no lock that cannot be opened, especially to an experienced thief, so the task is to ensure that choose a lock that will take as long as possible to open: this will increase the chance that someone will notice the attacker, or he will give up and leave, risking being caught red-handed.

Types of locks for entrance doors:

The perfect pair is lever and cylinder locks, and they must be located at a distance of 25-35 cm from each other. For the front door, it is worth choosing only mortise locks, and preferably 3 or 4 security classes, relying on products from reliable manufacturers. Remember that any lock can be opened, so if an apartment or house can attract "qualified", it is better to put it in addition.

No. 8. Door security classes

Like locks, entrance doors are divided into safety and security classes:

No. 9. The size of the entrance metal door

The front door should ideally be made for a specific opening, and not an opening to be finalized for a specific door. Responsible large companies offer their customers a comprehensive service, from measurement to installation, and in the manufacture they take into account the individual parameters of the doorway, but such a pleasure will cost more than using a standard door.

It is desirable that the width of the door be more than 90 cm, otherwise it will be difficult to bring large pieces of furniture into the room. The design may consist of one canvas, two or be one and a half - if the opening is wide, then one sash may not be enough.

By way of opening doors can be right and left, external and internal. From the point of view, it is better when the door opens inside the room, but this design simplifies the access of thieves to the apartment, because they can squeeze out the canvas with a 5-ton jack.

No. 10. Manufacturers of entrance metal doors

The house must be protected quality door. Trusting your home to products from dubious manufacturers means making the apartment vulnerable, and a slight savings when buying a door can turn into sad consequences. At the moment, the largest and most reputable are:

• "Elbor" is a domestic company founded in 1993. Today it is the largest enterprise in the sphere in the country, has a developed dealer network, and provides warranty service. Entrance doors are presented in different price categories, security classes 3 and 4, a wide choice of decorative panels, fittings and components of our own production;
• "ProfMaster"- a small, relative to other eminent competitors from the list, trading and manufacturing enterprise. The company has been operating since 1998 and is known to the consumer thanks to the popular street doors of the Nord series. The peculiarity of the company is that it is aimed at the individual production of doors under the customer's order. Here they can make almost any entrance door at the request of the customer, which is not to be expected from large manufacturers who manufacture doors on a conveyor strictly in accordance with their model range. The company operates in the Moscow market, but delivers some individual products directly to customers in neighboring regions by a transport company.
• "Guardian" is a large holding operating since 1994. The structure includes several enterprises of different fields of activity, incl. CJSC "Portal", specializing in the production of doors. The company has representative offices in all regions of the country and in the near abroad, doors are produced in standard and non-standard sizes, in dozens of different designs, weighing from 50 to 140 kg, 3 and 4 protection classes. Locks and accessories of own and European production;
• "Granite Doors" offers not the most extensive range of doors, but they all have the highest protection against burglary. Warranty - 10 years;
• "Toreks"- this is the widest range of doors of different prices, degrees of protection and design. Everyone can choose the right model, the warranty period depends on the specific model;
• "Bastion"- a domestic company, which from the very beginning of its activity (1997) headed for the production of affordable doors. Today, the assortment includes designs with different thicknesses, locks and fittings from different manufacturers;
  
• company "Oplot" was the first to release a bimetallic door, in which there is an additional one between the two main sheets of metal. Mineral wool and polyurethane foam are used as insulation, locks - from the best manufacturers, the range includes almost a hundred different models. The prices are not the lowest, but the reliability is worth it;
• Dierre- an Italian company known for its advanced developments in the field of door protection. At the moment, the manufacturer is working on creating;
• Gardesa is an Italian company with several representative offices in Russia. Quality and price are high, the manufacturer uses the locks of the best Italian companies, which are developed for him custom order;
• Galant and Novak- Polish companies offering good doors at reasonable prices, but domestic counterparts are not inferior to them in quality.

Finally

When choosing a metal front door, also pay attention to hardware quality: it's a shame if it falls apart in a year or spoils the appearance of the door. The peephole, handles and chains must be functional, practical and reliable. Always prioritize reliability over aesthetics.

For those who want to protect their apartment or house, the question inevitably arises: “How to choose a metal front door?”. It's really not easy. The painting itself doesn't do much. It is important to responsibly approach the purchase of all constituent parts. In addition, it is worth thinking about not only security.

When choosing a metal door, you should consider many nuances. The reliability and durability of the structure depends on the responsibility of the approach. In order to end up with a product that will not disappoint, you need to pay attention to the following details.

Purpose

Much depends on where the structure will be installed: in the apartment, country house or at the cottage. In the first case, attention should be paid to locks and isolation from noise and odors from the entrance. When it comes to private buildings, the overall reliability of the structure and its resistance to weather conditions are important.

Material

For the manufacture of metal doors, steel, aluminum and various alloys are used. The choice depends on the desired strength and price. Hot-rolled metal is cheaper, but quickly rusts. Hot-rolled does not give in to corrosion and looks attractive even without processing. Materials without excess carbon and alloying elements serve the longest.

Specifications

Here the thickness of the canvas, the presence of various parts and their features matter. It is important to check whether the products comply with the parameters specified in the documentation.

Protection level

Depending on the needs, the strength of metal elements, the complexity of locks and hinges are chosen. High-tech parts are much more expensive, and they do not always make sense.

Decorative qualities

A metal door is an expensive pleasure. When installing it, you should understand that it will not work to change the product often. Therefore, it is important to choose a design that will be combined with the interior of the hallway or the outer frame of the house. It should be a pleasure to look at for many years.

Preparation method

Custom-made products meet individual needs, but are much more expensive. In addition, it will take time to produce them. There is no need to wait for finished products, their prices are more democratic, and a variety of shapes and designs will help you choose the most suitable product. True, maximum protection in this case is not to be expected.

Salesman

The seller must ensure the installation as soon as possible and provide a guarantee for materials and work performed for a period of at least six months. Before choosing a company, it is useful to study customer reviews. An important role is played by the technical savvy of the consultant and the willingness to draw up a preliminary estimate. Also, a professional will advise how to choose an entrance metal door.

The main characteristics of a metal door

Each element of the door has a value. Together they provide long life, protection and insulation.

metal frame elements

Aluminum is often used to make metal doors. It is lightweight, so it is easy to transport and install. Its plasticity is used in design. Aluminum products are inexpensive, but their strength and reliability are low.

Steel is the preferred material. It is more expensive, but more durable. This metal provides reliable protection, isolates well from cold and noise.

The frame can be made of a U-shaped profile, a rectangular pipe or corners. The pipe is the strongest. A metal sheet is applied to the canvas. Its thickness must be at least 2 mm, otherwise the layer is easy to cut. By individual order, a protective layer up to 5 mm thick is made. This makes the structure much heavier, makes it noisy when closing and requires the installation of expensive moving elements.

Sometimes the sheet is placed on the inside. Because of this, the structure becomes stronger, but the same effect can be achieved by installing a thick outer plate. Thus, the load on the loops will decrease, and the quality will not suffer.

Strength is also added by stiffeners. They are placed between the outer sheet and the inner panel. There must be at least 2 vertical and 1 horizontal parts, but the more, the more reliable. True, the weight of the door because of this can increase significantly. To avoid this, take ribs with a complex profile. In addition, they are more difficult to bend. If these elements are located in only one direction, an inner sheet will be needed to provide rigidity.

It is important to remember that it is not advisable to install doors that are too heavy in apartments where children and the elderly live. In addition, there is a risk of abrasion of the hinges and deformation of the frame.

The box must have a secure cavity for the tabs of the locking device. Otherwise, the robber will cope with the castle by breaking part of the wall.

Door hinges

There are inner and outer loops. The first are hidden, they are almost impossible to cut. They move smoothly and look more aesthetically pleasing, but they cost an order of magnitude more expensive.

External loops hinged. Robbers easily knock them down with a crowbar. To increase reliability, take parts with steel pins. They are welded to the canvas and when the door is closed, they are tightly fixed in the box. This provides a locking function and does not allow the door to be removed after breaking.

Movable joints must be made of thick metal. It is good if they have the ability to adjust to prevent warping of the structure.

For a standard product of 70 kg, 2 loops are enough. If the product is very heavy or bulletproof, 3-4 parts will be needed. Also, more connections are made if the doors are opened and closed more than 50 times a day.

Door locks

Details suitable for apartments have 4 classes of burglary resistance. But we must remember that one hundred percent reliable locks do not exist. An experienced burglar will open any device, the only question is how long it will take. The longer the attacker will mess around, the more likely he is to be caught. That's why the main objective- to delay it as long as possible or scare it away with the complexity of the design.

The best option is to install two types of locks. Their unauthorized opening will require more skills from the robber. Suvaldnye are equipped with three or more crossbars. The more of them, the more reliable. There are "crab" models. With the turn of the key, the valves enter the connectors from four sides of the box at once. But they have a significant drawback. If the top bolt jams, you will most likely have to install new door. You can choose a model that provides for recoding in case the key is lost.

English, or cylinder, locks are used for locking for a short time. They are not resistant to strong impacts, but the presence of larvae complicates the opening. If such devices break down, it is enough to change only the inner cylinder.

To prevent the locking mechanism from being drilled and knocked out, a special pad is installed. It is located between the locking device and door leaf. It is important that the parts have frontal and end fastening.

All locks must be easy to use. Often there is a situation in which two devices are mounted, and in the end they use only one, because the second one is complex or of poor quality.

Imported models are considered the most reliable. They do provide good protection, but are expensive. And they make no sense if the steel layer is flimsy. It is easy to cut, and even a very expensive lock will not help. In turn, thieves open a too simple device even when installing a solid frame.

Seals

You can’t do without a sealant, because its functionality is wide. It protects against extraneous noise and smells, allows you to softly and tightly close the doors. Thanks to the device, drafts, moisture and dust do not enter the apartment. Warm air is not vented. In case of fire, an obstacle is created for the spread of fire.

Rubber is usually used to seal metal doors. It performs the necessary functions and is cheaper. Silicone is also used. It is environmentally friendly, does not emit harmful impurities and is suitable for apartments where children and allergy sufferers live. Polyurethane is easy to install. Foam rubber and plastic are not suitable. They are inexpensive and have a number of advantages, but due to the weight and rigidity of metal doors, they quickly deteriorate.

Perimeter insulation is installed. Some manufacturers offer two- and three-circuit profiles. But it doesn't make sense when correct installation parts and their quality.

According to the type of fastening, magnetic, self-adhesive and with an additional clamping mechanism are distinguished. Magnets are most often used, but it is important to choose a quality product. A strong attraction will make it difficult for children and the elderly to open the door, and a weak one will not provide a normal seal.

The reliability of the material is checked by pressing. It should immediately restore its shape after pressing. It is important that there is no excessive rigidity. This will make it difficult to close the door. A seal that is too soft will wear out quickly.

Manufacturers offer a wide range color scheme products, which allows you to choose the most suitable product for the door and the surrounding interior. But it is important to remember that staining negatively affects strength. The best option is the usual black seal.

The quality of sound insulation can be checked only after the installation of furniture in the apartment. The empty walls have very good acoustics, so at the stage of repair, driveway noise will still be heard.

Heaters

The metal does not retain heat well, because of this, the installation of heaters between the outer and inner sheets of the canvas will not interfere. Standard doors usually come without them, so you have to buy the material separately. Thermal insulation is also pumped into the box.

For these purposes, polyurethane foam or mineral wool is usually used. They have low thermal conductivity and do not allow moisture to pass through. Such materials are non-combustible. Styrofoam is a cheap substitute. But it is important to remember that it is easily amenable to fire.

Joints between insulation are sealed mounting foam which contributes to better insulation. Cold bridges are still preserved along the perimeter of the door and at the stiffeners, therefore, seals are additionally installed.

Exterior and interior decoration

Previously, leather substitutes were commonly used to finish doors. Now this material has receded into the background. It does not differ in a variety of colors and textures, is easily damaged and wears out quickly. In addition, leatherette does not provide additional strength and insulation.

The most popular are plastic panels. They are inexpensive and look stylish and aesthetically pleasing. Modern materials wear-resistant and impact-resistant. Panels from a finely dispersed fraction are environmentally friendly. Their thickness reaches 20 mm, which provides additional soundproofing and strength. If damaged, such a coating is much easier to replace than the entire door.

Polymer paint - inexpensive option. The coating does not scratch and lasts a long time. In addition, you can choose the color and design to your liking. There are different degrees of roughness. Unlike this design method, lacquer painting does not last long, but it is easy to restore it yourself.

Solid wood or plywood are environmentally friendly types of coating. They are expensive, but they look the most impressive. In addition, their thickness contributes to better impermeability. The possibility of varnishing, tinting and protective film extends the service life of these materials.

peephole

An additional security feature that helps to control the situation outside the door and avoid inviting uninvited guests into the house. The size of the device depends on the thickness of the web.

The main requirement is to provide a viewing angle of 180-200 degrees. You can choose between a plastic or glass peephole. The latter is more expensive, but more durable.

A special damper is also required. It helps to discreetly observe what is happening in the entrance and does not let light in from the apartment. The part should tightly close the eyepiece, while opening easily and silently. It is important that it does not come into contact with interior decoration otherwise it will be difficult to avoid damage.

The choice of a particular model depends on taste preferences and safety requirements. There are standard eyes, hidden and bulletproof. Details with increased aperture allow you to stand at a distance from the device and at the same time maintain a viewing angle.

Features of fire doors

The essence of fireproof metal doors is that they serve as a barrier to the spread of fire and prevent the penetration of smoke into the apartment. The time during which the structure holds the fire is regulated by SanPiN and is prescribed in technical documentation. It ranges from 15 minutes to several hours.

The design of such products has its own characteristics. For their manufacture, two metal sheets are used, between which a non-combustible material is laid that protects against carbon monoxide. It also helps the surface stay relatively cool. Minimal gaps are left between the canvas and the box.

This product can withstand extreme high temperatures and will not deform from fire. The filler remains intact. The door after a fire does not require repair and in case of re-ignition copes with its protective functions.

The fittings of such structures are designed for extreme situation. It is important that a person in a state of panic can open the door with one press of the handle or a special button. For automatic closing, the installation of door closers is mandatory.

It is generally accepted that fire doors are an order of magnitude more expensive than conventional ones. But actually it is not. If the manufacturer uses modern technology, his production costs do not increase much. Therefore, the final price does not change significantly.

Metal doors help protect the apartment from burglary and fire. These structures are durable and long lasting. If you correctly approach the selection and installation of parts, all costs will more than pay off.