What are the types of entrance doors. Classes of metal doors

The main task of a steel front door is the reliable protection of the premises. However, one cannot deny the importance of its aesthetic qualities. How to correlate all the necessary parameters and choose from a variety of options the door that suits you?

Let's find out together what the steel door market offers and what to look for when choosing this product.

Types of steel doors

At the first stage of the selection, it is necessary to decide in which room the structure will be installed, what is its purpose and what requirements are imposed on the degree of its resistance to burglary.

Classification according to the purpose of doors

There are several types of doors depending on the purpose of their use. It's pretty easy to decide here.

Armored(bulletproof). Such steel entrance doors were originally intended for banking institutions and other premises in need of increased protection. Currently, they are widely used in residential areas, providing maximum protection against unauthorized entry. Armored doors are made from steel sheets with a thickness of 5 mm or more and are equipped with powerful horizontal and vertical stiffeners (and in some cases an additional a metal sheet or numerous armor plates).

fire fighting. They are often installed in apartments adjacent to non-residential premises (hairdressing salons, shops), in elevator lobbies, waste collection chambers, switchboard and technical rooms, as well as at emergency exits. Such products protect the premises from fire and toxic combustion products for one hour or more. Doors are made of steel sheets with a thickness of at least 2 mm and are equipped with insulation from non-combustible materials, heat-resistant and non-toxic seals. Anti-panic locks are used, which are opened from the outside with a key, and from the inside - by pushing the door or pressing the handle.

Tambour. They are installed on the landing and close the entrance to several apartments at once. They provide protection against unauthorized entry, cold, dirt and extraneous sounds. They are characterized by simplicity of design, minimal decoration and are equipped with crossbar locks.

Technical. These products provide reliable protection for technical premises, cash desks, basements, utility blocks, switchboards, entrances, warehouses, production and commercial buildings. They are equipped with modern locks of high classes of burglar resistance. In their production, the focus is on functionality, and appearance recedes into the background.

Classic. Such doors are much more often than others installed in apartments, private houses, and cottages. Products are distinguished by the breadth of design, the use of steel sheets 1.5–2.5 cm thick in the construction, and a number of other features, which we will discuss in detail later.

So, having decided on the appropriate type of construction, you can start searching for a specific product.

Classes of steel doors according to burglary resistance

There is the following classification of door structures, depending on their ability to resist burglary:

Class 1. Such products must be resistant to brute force (kicks, shoulder strikes) and simple tools: pry bar, lever with nozzles, nail puller, crowbar, etc. To gain partial access to the premises, an attacker will need at least 5 minutes, and for full access - at least 9 minutes.

Class 2. Such designs are able to withstand household hand tools- an ax, a hammer, a sledgehammer, a chisel, etc. The time required to gain access to the premises is 9–16 minutes. Most often, these products are installed in residential buildings.

Class 3. These are reliable steel doors that cannot be broken using manual or electrical household tools. It will take 16-23 minutes for burglars to break into the premises.

Class 4. This level is assigned to bulletproof products. Hacking time - at least 23-35 minutes.

The class of burglary resistance largely depends design features doors.

Steel door structures

When choosing a door, it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the room. Standard single leaf products - the most common design that provides the most reliable protection, since it has a minimum of moving parts.

IN warehouses, workshops, entrances and places with a large flow of people are often installed bivalve doors (symmetrical - with wings of the same width, or asymmetrical). They fill a large opening necessary for moving bulky cargo and passing significant human flows. At the same time, the burglary resistance of such products is lower than that of their single-leaf counterparts.

Single leaf or double leaf arched designs are stylish and unusual appearance. Products with transoms used in rooms with non-standard openings.

The best material for the manufacture of entrance doors is cold rolled steel. Sheets of this material are characterized by increased ductility, ease of processing and resistance to corrosion.

Seals

Rubber, polyethylene foam, foam rubber, silicone or plastic seals are installed at the points of contact between the door panels and the frame and provide not only additional sound insulation, but also prevent the passage of foreign odors or the formation of drafts. The most popular are magnetic rubber seals. Foam rubber is an outdated option, which is practically not used in modern doors.

Fillers

At high-quality steel doors, the space between the steel sheets is filled with materials that provide heat and sound insulation, protection from moisture. The filler must be durable and absolutely safe for family members and environment. The last quality is possessed by: polyurethane foam, polypropylene, glass wool, fillers based on mineral substances, polystyrene.

Preference for one or another type of filler is given depending on the needs and material capabilities of the customer. Yes, the best heat technical specifications among the materials used in the manufacture of economy class doors, have expanded polystyrene and mineral wool. The latter is also characterized by maximum soundproofing properties. In the production of business-class products, foamed polyurethane and foamed propylene are used, which have excellent insulating properties.

Types of steel doors by type of opening

It should be remembered that according to building codes and the rules "Fire safety of buildings and structures" dated January 21, 1997, doors located on the escape routes from the building must open outward. In addition, the doors of adjacent rooms should not block each other when opened at the same time.

Structures with external opening are characterized by higher burglary resistance, and their counterparts with internal opening are considered the best solution for premises with limited space in the corridors. The lack of access to hinges and bolts contributes to an increase in the level of protection of products with internal opening.

Types of doors by box type

When deciding which steel doors are better, buyers adhere to domestic traditions, according to which the product is attached to the opening of a solid box through the lugs using pins (anchors). But there are other installation techniques. The Italian technology involves the installation of a U-shaped frame in the opening, to which the box is then attached with embedded screws. A box of this type often causes concern among domestic buyers due to the lack of thresholds that increase the level of protection of the premises. That is why the so-called Russian-Italian type of box was developed,

Another mounting option is an Israeli-type box. When using this technology, a crimp box is installed into the wall, and then concrete is poured. Such a technique is not applicable in domestic conditions, since it involves building a wall around the box, and not mounting the structure into the wall.

Decorative panels

Facing allows you to give the door a stylish appearance that harmoniously complements the interior. Today, decorative panels are popular, which are installed on the inner and outer surfaces of the product. These are, first of all, inserts made of solid wood, natural or artificial veneer, fiber parallels (sandwich of several layers of moisture-resistant marine plywood, fastened vinyl adhesive), wear-resistant vinyl and other materials. Designs with a mirror surface are popular, as well as with stylish glass and aluminum inserts. External panels of VIP doors are most often made of leather, wood and even semi-precious stones, premium-class panels - from combined materials (polished metal, glass), high-quality MDF, panels of the middle price category - from laminate, vinyl plastic, thinner and more inexpensive MDF.

Manufacturers

The rating of steel doors is headed by domestic manufacturers, such as ESTA, Guardian, Elbor, Arsenal Service Steel, Bastion, BelKa, Columbus, Jaguar-M, Gerda, Optima etc. Foreign products occupy only 10% of the market. The number of foreign companies offering their goods to Russian buyers includes Belarusian manufacturers Doors of Belarus, Steel Line, Iron House, Business Metal, Italian Dierre, Albertin, GARDESA, Lediva, Panto, Israeli MAGEN BARIAH, Finnish ALAVUS and others.

Prices for steel doors

Prices are determined primarily by the quality of the materials used and production technologies.

Economy The lower price range is products at a price of 12,000–30,000 rubles. They are manufactured according to modern technologies, but at the same time, their production involves the use of thin steel (1 mm or less), simple stiffeners, a lock of the 1st class of secrecy, cheap fittings and finishes. Sometimes in such products there are no heaters.

Business. The price of steel doors in this category is 30,000–60,000 rubles. Such products comply with GOST, consist of two solid-bent steel sheets, have high-quality profiles and stiffeners, 3rd (and higher) burglary resistance class. Locks - not lower than the 2nd class of secrecy. This category includes most domestic and imported products.

Premium. Products worth 60,000-120,000 rubles are characterized by 3-5 classes of burglary resistance. The total thickness of steel sheets is not less than 3 mm, locks of the 4th class of secrecy are installed on the product, high level sound insulation, hidden hinges, additional stiffening ribs. All fittings are of high quality. For exterior finish natural veneer, fiber parallels, combined panels are used.

Removable decorative panels are installed on premium and business class doors, which can be easily replaced in case of damage or when changing the interior or exterior.

Which steel doors are better to choose?

The quality and reliability of the door you choose will be determined by a lot of nuances. The best steel doors usually meet the following requirements:

• They are mounted either by the popular, reliable and time-tested Russian method, or by the Italian modernized one, which provides for the installation of a four-sided frame of the main box. This technology provides increased burglary resistance of the structure and improves its heat and sound insulation properties.
• They have a total thickness of steel sheets of at least 3 mm.
• They are made of solid-bent steel sheets, forming stiffening profiles along the perimeter of the sheets.
• They are equipped with at least two locking mechanisms: lever and cylinder.
• Have the 3rd and higher level of resistance to breaking.
• They are equipped with sound and heat insulating polystyrene filler and silicone seals.
• They have a reliable, durable and aesthetic coating with a large range of finishes - both in terms of design and in terms of cladding materials.
• Equipped with hidden hinges, armored pads for locks and anti-burglary pins.
• They have at least one horizontal and two vertical stiffeners.

Thus, in order to choose the right steel door, you need to consider a number of factors. A potential buyer needs to evaluate not only the appearance of the product, but also the quality of fittings, security elements and door panels. The optimal solution for residential buildings, apartments and offices are business-class products.

Entrance doors can be classified according to the following indicators and features:
- used in the manufacture of doors material;
- purpose of the door;
- way of opening.

Types of entrance doors depending on the material

Depending on the materials used in the manufacture, entrance doors can be divided into several groups:
- steel doors;
- wooden;
- aluminum;
- plastic;
- glass.

Currently, steel doors are the most common. The main material of the panel can be completely hidden by finishing materials, as a result of which the structure can look like plastic or wood. This allows you to fit the product into almost any interior. Most often, the finishing of the entrance steel door is made plastic panels or powder coating.

Powder coating is durable and practical, it is resistant to mechanical stress and abrasion. It also meets the basic safety requirements that apply to entrance doors. The percentage of its damage and abrasion during operation is 2% for 10 years. This result is ensured by a special extrusion technology for applying powder coating. Finishing the door with plastic panels also has its advantages. The main one is the ability to replace decorative coating during the operation of the product.

It is also possible to finish the door with other materials: leather, lining, laminate, MDF (microwood fiber), etc.

Wooden front doors are rarely used today. The main reason for the low popularity of this species is the lack of security. Installation is advisable only in cases where they are provided with additional security measures. Entrance doors made of solid oak are often used by owners country cottages, elite houses, various institutions, where a high level of protection is provided. Of course, the installation of this type of door at a price is much more expensive than the installation of a steel structure.

In the event that a sliding entrance door is installed, it is preferable to use an aluminum structure. Most often used in warehouse buildings, garages, as well as entrances to protected areas. In the sector, this type of entrance door is rarely used, as well as plastic doors.

Usually plastic is used for interior decoration doors. Plastic structures can be used as entrance doors in closed protected areas. Input glass doors glass are used in private homes of wealthy customers, modern centers, as well as offices prestigious companies. The glasses used for these purposes can be different: matte, transparent, with a relief pattern, etc.

Appointment of entrance doors

According to their purpose, entrance doors are divided into:
- armored doors;
- burglary resistant;
- explosion-proof;
- bulletproof;
- fire fighting;
- noise-absorbing;
- hermetic entrance doors.

Bulletproof doors are designed to protect people and to create a reliable barrier in case of armed entry into the premises. This type of product is used for installation in office and residential premises. Basically, bulletproof doors are installed in safe rooms, bank branches, currency exchange points, security posts and checkpoints.

Armored entrance doors are used to restrict unauthorized access to residential, public, industrial and auxiliary types of premises and buildings. The fireproof type of entrance doors prevents the spread of fire. This type is used for installation in rooms with a sufficiently large number of electrical appliances, in laboratories, facilities chemical industry and in warehouses.

Noise-absorbing front doors are quite rare. It is used in laboratories, luxury residential buildings, recording studios. Hermetic entrance doors are used for kitchens, laboratories, pharmaceutical rooms, operating rooms. Sealing and valves of such products must provide fire and gas resistance, they must also withstand structural loads.

Types of entrance doors by opening method

According to the way of opening, the entrance doors are divided into:
- ;
- right;
- swing;
- outdoor;
- internal;
- sliding.

Sliding mechanisms for opening entrance doors are rarely used due to the complexity of design and installation.

Entrance doors can open inward or outward to the street. Depending on your preferences and needs, you can choose any of these door opening options. However, it should be borne in mind that when the front door is opened to the outside, there is much less heat leakage. The degree of reliability and security against burglary is also lower when the door is opened from the outside.

Another sign by which the type of the front door is determined is the sideness of its opening. There are doors that open from left to right, there are also products that open the other way around. The opening side indicator is very importance with insufficient usable space (stairwells apartment buildings, narrow corridors, underground entrances).

The acquisition of an apartment is almost always accompanied by a major renovation, which requires a considerable amount of expensive materials, then new furniture, household appliances. Therefore, in such a situation, the first thing we do is solve the problem, which front door choose an apartment. You can not think about how convenient and reliable the front doors are until the time of summer vacation comes, or there is a long business trip. The problem will have to be solved sooner or later. the best way How to choose an entrance metal door is to take the advice of a professional.

Advice ! Throw out of your head the saying invented by crooks - "there is no constipation from a thief."

Almost 99% of cases of criminal penetration into an apartment are the result of the irresponsible attitude of the owners to their security, the desire to save on "useless" costs.

Before choosing a metal front door, formulate for yourself the main requirements for the product:

• Pleasant and practical appearance of the outer part of the front door. It is better if the appearance of the door will hide the real metal strength and durability.
• High-quality thermal insulation and sound insulation;
• High resistance of the metal part to vandalism;
• Locks and locking devices cannot be opened within 20-30 minutes.

The last point is difficult to assess reliably, it is dictated by the usual criminal statistics of opening locks. Crackers abandoned the idea if they had to spend more than 15 minutes on the chosen target. The rest of the points are easy enough to evaluate on your own, guided by tips on how to choose the right front door.

Choosing an entrance metal door from a professional point of view

Before choosing an entrance door, it is necessary to study the characteristics of the hallway or corridor in the apartment, the landing and the location of the load-bearing walls of the building.

The option of using a double door was considered a classic for a long time, especially in old high-rise buildings. The thickness of the walls in some cases exceeded 40 cm, which made it possible to choose and install two doors on a common wooden hutch: the outer one - heavy metal and the inner one - light and warm, designed in accordance with the preferences of the owner. For the metal part of the block, it was necessary to additionally install a heavy metal welded frame, on which garage sheds were welded, end-to-end with a wooden shell.

The metal door rested on the frame with its rims and did not have additional insulation from inside. Door locks were used on both doors, and a powerful garage lock with a cunning non-standard key and a secret known only to the owner was installed on the metal door.

You can choose serious advantages of this design:

• Absolute resistance to burglary with the use of physical force. The absence of insulation made it resistant to arson, exposure to high temperatures during a fire;
• Excellent sound and heat insulation due to the large air cushion between the doors, reaching in some cases 30cm.
• If desired, the owner could choose - by opening the inner door, with the outer door closed, talking with the "guests", remaining completely safe,
• The service life of the outer door, according to the most conservative estimates, could reach 30-40 years, without loss of quality with the proper level of service and care.

A similar design was chosen in the troubled 90s of the last century, as a response to rampant crime in those days. Today, you can choose a similar option from small firms that independently manufacture door blocks to order.

With the advent of high-strength and lightweight composite materials, a significant increase in the efficiency of residential alarm systems, people began to abandon the ideology of the "safe" and choose simpler and lighter options.

With all the shortcomings, this option can be considered as the best if you need to choose the front door to a private house.

Entrance metal door made of modern materials

Production modern models put on stream, with rare exceptions, they are similar to each other in design and standard design. The main difference is in the quality of the materials used and the qualifications of the work performed, so you need to find and choose the quality.

It is not easy to choose without experience, what you should take a closer look at especially:

The first thing you need to turn your interest to is the presence of a powerful metal frame with three or four canopies. The metal profile and sheet of metal used to make the frame, or, using joiner's terminology, "loops", will be the same thickness as in the door structure. But it is difficult to see the "stuffing" of a particular product, and in the frame - metal, at a glance. It is necessary to choose a sheet thickness of at least 2.5 mm, the bent profile should not play or bend under the pressure of the fingers.

How to choose the front door to the apartment? Ask the seller for a passport for the goods - look for the names in the document cold rolled sheet, applications of welding in a protective environment. These are signs of a quality manufacturing process of the input part. You should not choose options with a U-like frame, which does not have a closing lower link - a threshold. Any professional will say that this is more of an inexpensive imitation than a real way to protect an apartment.

Most often, the cheap segment of the metal entrance door market suggests choosing a product with 7 stiffeners welded to the plane in the vertical direction.

Advice ! If on the outside of the metal door, in addition to the decorative PVC film, additional overlays or decor are applied, most likely, the main metal sheet is very thin, and the manufacturer artificially masks the spots of spot welding, which easily show through with a small sheet thickness.

A product with a tubular frame and a thickened outer metal sheet can cost about twice as much. Such entrance doors provide the 3rd class of protection, they cannot be broken into with a primitive tool. Unfortunately, there are many fakes on the market. famous brands, characteristics and quality inferior even to simple models from a bent metal profile. The original model of a well-known manufacturer can be easily found on its website, so it is possible to choose entrance metal doors in advance, having studied all the nuances of protection against forgery.

One of the arguments used by sellers to sell inexpensive entrance metal doors is that the product has internal canopies. It would seem that this is a guarantee against physical hacking, but the internal canopies are not able to carry big weight metal structure.

Therefore, they are often used for products with a small thickness of metal. On the other hand, the metal external canopies of high-quality models are made of alloyed manganese steel, which is very difficult to cut, even with the help of a grinder.

Locking and locking devices for metal entrance doors

For a long time already, on the question of how to choose the right lock for the front door to an apartment, there are two opposing opinions:

• The lock installed on the ready-made entrance metal door being purchased must be replaced with a more secure and complex version, with the possibility of “hot” correction of the secret;
• Locking devices and locks pre-installed on the purchased door good quality, are always distinguished by high reliability and durability, replacing with another option will not bring any advantages.

Both options are correct in their judgments. The lock must be changed without fail if, after the installation of the front door, an abnormal operation of the device was established, traces of penetration into the mechanism were revealed, or at least one key was lost. In the latter case, you can simply choose another lock secret.

Following the generally accepted format, manufacturers install at least two locks on modern metal entrance doors, in simple designs - cylinder ones, in more expensive versions they install a couple of different types of locks - lever and cylinder.

This parameter does not have a fundamental effect on the resistance to opening locks. Quality is more important the castles themselves. A mandatory attribute of the lock is a metal armor plate that protects the device from drilling.

One of the front door locks must be of the so-called "crab" scheme, usually it is a lever lock. Such a system increases the resistance to knocking out or extrusion by almost an order of magnitude.

Almost always, the design of the cylinder lock provides for blocking the possibility of inserting the key into the lock if the key is already inserted into the lock inside the apartment. In this way, additional security is provided for opening the lock.

Noise control and thermal insulation

To ensure thermal insulation in high-quality models of entrance metal doors, plates made of foamed polymers or mineral fibers are used. In cheaper options - polyurethane foam or pressed cardboard. IN Chinese variants of unknown origin, the insulation may be absent altogether. You can select more than one to check. different models, tap on a metal surface and compare the sound.

For your information! The stronger the sound is absorbed by a metal door, the higher the quality and heat-insulating properties of the filler. It is possible to select and compare parameters by sound.

In addition, you should pay attention to the presence and shape of a rubber seal glued around the perimeter on the inside of the front door. IN simple models insulation is used in the form of a profiled tape, in more expensive ones - in the form of a tubular profile. The latter option is considered the most effective and wear resistant.

For guard outer surface from narrow-minded lovers to scratch, make inscriptions or test for strength metal carcass, you can choose a model painted with powder paint with an increased content of hard ceramic fillers.

It should be noted that in recent years, the manufacturer offers to choose new models with built-in portable wireless video cameras that can respond and quickly transmit to home computer image of what is happening on the landing.

Welcome home! The first thing we see when we appear on the threshold of our house and the first thing that catches the eye of our guests is the front door. is an important part of the interior and we, of course, would like it to organically fit into the style we have chosen. In addition, do not forget that the main task of the front door is to protect our homes. Therefore, it is worth taking care not only of the appearance, but also of the reliability of the door and its durability. The reliability of the door is determined by the level of protection against rough and intellectual breaking, the possibility of external observation, as well as the quality of thermal insulation and sound insulation.

When choosing an entrance door, you should pay attention to the expected intensity of its operation, the dimensions of the doorway and the direction of the door opening, the frame design, as well as the quality of the door leaf and hinges. It is important to pay special attention to anti-burglary elements and the choice of locks. Monitor the level of toxicity and flammability of the door filler.

Even taking into account all these nuances, it will not be difficult to achieve the goal, namely, to find a high-quality, reliable and eye-pleasing door. There are a huge number of products on the market today different types doors, the features of which will satisfy the most demanding customer.

And here we come to the question of the article: what are the types of entrance doors? Homify experts will help us sort out this issue.

Types of entrance doors according to the material of manufacture

Depending on the material of manufacture, metal, wooden, plastic and glass doors are distinguished. The most popular among users are metal, mostly steel doors. Steel doors are considered the most reliable. Although, to begin with, it should be mentioned that there are no absolutely impenetrable doors for burglars, because they are closely following new developments and constantly improving their skills. However, the more time it takes to break open the door, the less likely it is that the thief will take risks and fiddle with the impregnable door for a long time, because every extra second means an additional risk of being noticed.

So, back to the steel doors. In this case, a fairly simple rule works: the thicker the steel sheet, the stronger it is and, accordingly, more reliable. The thickness of the steel sheet must be at least one and a half millimeters. In addition, the strength of the door is affected by the number of stiffeners. At the same time, the most reliable design is in which the vertical stiffeners complement the horizontal or inclined ones.

In addition to metal, they are very popular wooden doors containing a metal sheet or frame inside. They are quite durable and besides, wooden doors often look more advantageous than steel ones. Oak doors made of solid wood are also very durable, but such doors will cost you a lot.

Aluminum doors, especially sliding type often used in garages, as well as in outbuildings. Plastic and glass doors can be very decorative, but they are not particularly suitable for our reality and are more common in the form of interior doors.

​Types of entrance doors by purpose

According to the intended purpose, allocated the following types entrance doors:

shockproof;

bulletproof;

fire fighting;

sealed;

soundproof.

At the same time, we can reassure you a little: any front door with more or less high strength indicators is shockproof. Bulletproof and fireproof front doors are made from high-strength alloys and are often further processed. These doors are the safest. Soundproof doors are quite expensive and are extremely rare in private homes. Sealed entrance doors are not used at all in private construction.

Types of entrance doors by opening method

Your front door can be hinged or sliding. swing doors differ in location (left or right) and opening side (inward or outward). Sliding doors differ in the direction of opening (left or right). It should be remembered that an outward-opening front door creates less heat loss than a door that opens inward. In addition, such a door is also more secure. Sliding doors are very rare in private homes due to the complexity of production and installation. However, this type of door is often found inside the space, although such structures are recommended to be designed in advance before construction begins.

It can be added that there are several types of entrance doors depending on the number of leaves. Doors are single-leaf, that is, they have one door leaf; one and a half, which have two wings, but one of them opens in rare cases to increase the doorway; bifold, having two wings. Double doors often look very solid and even massive, depending on the chosen material.

Types of entrance doors in appearance

The shape and appearance of your front door play an important role. Therefore, in addition to strength, it is worth paying attention to the aesthetic characteristics of the door. Depending on the shape of the door, there are standard rectangular doors, classic arched doors (the top of the door has the shape of a semicircle) or arched doors with a blind transom, in which the top of the door (arch) does not open, and the door itself has rectangular shape. This technique is used in order to avoid weighting the door with a large opening height. In addition to all of the above, entrance doors come with glass inserts and other decorative elements. At the same time, not ordinary, but bulletproof glass is used in the entrance doors. Decorative elements - carving, an unusual eye, painting, an original handle or a door knocker give the door an individuality.

Safety first

It is important to remember that in addition to the quality of the door leaf, the reliability of the door is also determined by the hinges, which we often forget about. Door hinges There are two types - and external. Hidden hinges are preferable to external ones, since their design is hidden and cannot be cut down, because this is how burglars often get into an apartment if they do not want to mess with a complex lock. But if your door is equipped with anti-removable pins, then it doesn’t really matter which hinges: such a door cannot be opened even if the hinges are cut.

Reliable lock

Of course, we must not forget about the castle. Depending on the type of fastening, locks are carved and laid on. At the same time, there are several types of locks that are designed for different types of materials. Often, manufacturing companies offer a lock specially designed for each door model, emphasizing that universal locks are often not so reliable.

Often, experts recommend installing at least two locks of different designs (for example, one lock and one cylinder lock). In this way, you can protect yourself from two types of robbers - using brute force and intellectuals. Modern cylinder locks are so complex that it is almost impossible to find a master key for them. Two different locks will complement each other, thus reducing the chances of breaking. Alternatively, you can choose one lock that combines these qualities. In addition, there are two- or three-cylinder locks on the market that open with several keys.

The so-called smartlocks - electronic locks with digital encoding or scan are not inferior in reliability. Their only disadvantage is the dependence on the power supply. But even in the absence of electricity, such a lock will work for another two days, and after that it can be used as a regular lock thanks to reliable internal latches.

The front door in the apartment serves not only as a "security barrier", but also as a kind of hallmark of the owners of the premises. It is difficult to decide what to first of all be guided by when choosing: the technical characteristics of the structure, its appearance or the manufacturer's rating. How to choose an entrance door to an apartment that will meet security requirements, provide comfort in a living space and satisfy aesthetic needs? To purchase a door that meets these parameters, it will be useful to consider in detail all aspects of the choice.

To decide which front door is better to put, the choice must be justified, first of all, by the good reliability of the structure, the main elements of which are the box and the canvas.

door frame

For the manufacture of the box, manufacturers use a bent sheet, corner or profile pipe. The highest strength parameters have a design made of profile pipe with one weld, since the bent sheet and corner are less resistant to bending, twisting and deformation. But it must be taken into account that the thickness of the metal is also important: the optimal cross section is 3–5 mm. The number of welds also affects the reliability of the door frame: the more there are, the less durable the structure is considered.

The frame must have a threshold. A U-shaped box without a lower link is not able to provide strength to the structure.

mounting hole Mounting plate

For fasteners in the frames there are holes or special mounting plates. The second option is preferable, since it eliminates the possibility of cutting fasteners. There are two options for fastening door frames: anchor bolts or steel pins. As a rule, their number should be at least three on each side. Minimum Diameter fasteners - 12 mm, length - not less than 15 cm.

The next element of the box that you should pay attention to is the door porch. It is used for mounting sealing material. On sale you can find designs with one, two and even three vestibules. Since we are choosing a new front door to the apartment, it makes no sense to overpay for complex structure: one vestibule is enough, but you should not save on the sealant - the better its quality, the longer it will last and provide protection from drafts and extraneous sounds.

Not less than important element door frame- platbands. They perform not only a decorative, but also a protective function, blocking access to the mounting elements.

Door leaf

Now let's figure out what parameters you need to choose a door leaf. It consists of a rectangular frame to which the outer and inner panel. The outer panel is necessarily made of steel, but for the inside, manufacturers can use not only metal, but also a panel made of MDF, solid wood, chipboard with veneer, laminated film or leatherette. Since the front door to the apartment does not have to be exposed to atmospheric influences, you can choose any of these options. The optimal parameters for the thickness of the outer steel sheet are 1.5–2.5 mm.

Stiffeners are located inside the door leaf. Their minimum number is three. In low-cost designs, two vertical ribs and one horizontal rib should be present. The highest quality designs are those in which the number of ribs exceeds the minimum limit: two vertical and four horizontal elements will significantly increase the reliability of the front door. At the same time, the more elements the structure contains, the heavier it is in weight, which means that the load on the hinges increases. In order not to subsequently face such a task as tightening hinges or replacing worn parts, it is better to choose a product in which the stiffening ribs are made of long rolled products and have a complex profile. They are lighter in weight and more resistant to bending.

Locks

Even the best front doors will not be secure without good castle. Locking structures that would be impossible to open still do not exist, and yet, two locks various types, breaking which will take a lot of time, are able to repel the desire of an attacker to enter someone else's apartment.

For entrance doors to an apartment, it is better to choose two locks that differ in design. As the main locking mechanism, one should consider a device with crossbars that fix the door leaf in several directions.

Most often on steel doors you can find locks of two designs:

• The cylinder locking mechanism is quite difficult to open, but is not resistant to the use of brute physical force. An armor plate can complicate the process of knocking out the lock.
• With a special tool and certain skills, a lever lock can be opened, but it will not be easy to disable it with the use of force: the structure is located inside the door leaf and takes up a lot of space. The level of secrecy of lever locks is constantly being improved.

Security elements

The opening side of the sash is very important in terms of reliability. The preferred option is external opening. In this case, the sash is much better protected from being knocked out and squeezed out by a jack. The strength and reliability of the front door also depends on small structural elements.

Door hinges

Outer loop Hidden loop

Loops are external and hidden. The outer ones are welded to the rack of the box and the canvas, and the hidden ones are located in special sinuses, which cannot be accessed from the outside. Buying a door with hidden hinges will cost more, but is there a need to overpay? The only drawback of open loops is their location, however, the burglary resistance of the structure does not suffer from this at all. Cutting loops is a noisy process. It is unlikely that attackers will want to draw attention to themselves. In addition, there is such a security element as anti-removable pins that will protect the door from breaking even with cut hinges.

Hidden awnings affect not only the increase in the cost of the door, but also have other disadvantages:

• due to the design features, the width of the doorway is slightly reduced;
• reduce the opening angle of the sash;
• reduce the strength of the frame by organizing a niche inside the box:
• during operation, they can cause deformation of the box when the door is opened at an angle exceeding the parameters allowed by the design.

The next aspect of the choice that the buyer has to face is adjustable or non-adjustable hinge designs, which one is better? In the first case, repair of worn hinges is possible, in the second - no. In fact, adjustable hinges can be an additional problem as they tend to loosen over time. An unregulated structure cannot be repaired, but ruining such hinges is a difficult task.

When you go to the store to choose a door for your apartment, it is important to make sure that the hinges can handle the load ahead. If the weight of the structure exceeds 100 kg, it is desirable that it be equipped with three canopies. A support bearing must be present in the design of the hinges - it facilitates operation and has a positive effect on the durability of the canopies.

Anti-removable pins

This type of protection is an anchor system. The pins are located on the end sections of the sash. When the door is closed, the anchors are immersed in the holes located in the box. As a result, the door leaf remains fixed in the frame even if the hinges are cut off.

Internal gate valve

This mechanism will provide the owners with peace of mind when they are at home. The valve is installed on inner part door and it is not possible to get close to it from the outside. It is operated manually.

Insulating properties

The thickness of the metal, the number of loops and the design of the locks are all technical aspects. No less important is the comfort inside the apartment, which also largely depends on which entrance doors you have installed. The noise of a working elevator, tobacco smoke and other "pleasures" of a densely populated high-rise building do not fit well with the concepts of home comfort and peace. How to choose the right front door to the apartment to protect yourself from extraneous sounds, smells and drafts? These problems should be dealt with by isolation.

Inside the door leaf, the insulating material must tightly fill all the voids between the stiffeners. Since we select doors not for a house, but for an apartment, where the structure will not suffer from temperature and humidity changes, there are no special requirements for the insulation material. It can be mineral wool, polyurethane foam or expanded polystyrene. All these materials provide noise absorption, serve as good heaters.

Hidden loop

Another loophole for noise and smell is the perimeter of the door. It is protected with a rubber or silicone seal.

All these measures will be ineffective if violations are made during the installation of the structure. There should be no gaps between the box and the wall. Of course, no sealing material is able to create perfect silence, since sounds propagate through the walls, but the comfort from installing a high-quality front door will be palpable.

Exterior finish options

When we're trying to decide which front door to choose, looks are as important as strength and cost. Beautiful finish pleasing to the eye and able to decorate the interior, while it would be nice if the design you choose was strong and durable. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the materials that can be used to frame the front door to the apartment, decide which decorative finish to choose.

Leatherette

Thanks to special fastening pads, which facilitated the process of "upholstery" of the steel sheet, leatherette is quite often used as a finish for metal entrance doors. The disadvantage of this material is poor resistance to mechanical damage. It can be accidentally damaged by a sharp object. Advantages - a wide choice of color options and textures, the ability to create an original pattern on the surface using wire, additional sound insulation through the use of foam rubber or batting as a lining.

Decorative panels

Plastic or wood overlay panels are a relatively new and very popular type of finish. Have a three-dimensional or flat pattern, large color scheme. The strength threshold for this finish is also not very high. Manufacturers offer products with additional plastic coating, but this procedure increases the cost of products.

Painting

The advantages of hammer painting are resistance to mechanical stress and aggressive liquids (as a result, ease of maintenance with the use of cleaning products). The paint gives the surface a three-dimensional structure, is easy to apply, dries quickly, has an extensive range of colors. This type of finish is most suitable if you have to choice of front door for a cottage.

Manufacturer rating

Where to buy the best entrance doors to an apartment, and which manufacturers can you trust? Be sure to take into account the fact that large manufacturers, unlike small private companies, provide a guarantee. If you purchase a door from a dubious one-day company, a chance to replace a part that has worn out ahead of time for free, or even hidden defect structure is reduced to zero. In addition, handicraft products are difficult to check for quality - which doors are strong, what metal thickness was used in them, insulation material, etc., while technical specifications factory products are registered in his passport.

It is generally accepted that European doors are better in quality than products of domestic companies. But do not forget that products, both domestic and foreign, are designed for consumers with different income levels.

• Economy class - products with a low market value, designed for people with low incomes. Conform minimum requirements security.
• Standard - designs with quality exterior finish, made from durable metal. They have an average level of cost due to savings on fittings and locks.
• Business class and premium class are expensive luxury products that are most often developed on an individual order.

Considering such a gradation of products and the cost of delivery from abroad, it becomes obvious that domestic standard class entrance doors will cost about the same amount as economy class products manufactured abroad. And here it is up to you to decide what is more important: reliability, or which company the product has a stigma.

• The Guardian has been manufacturing steel doors since 1994. Offers standard and non-standard products, own fittings. Products comply with GOST 31173-2003. The warranty period is at least three years.
• Forpost offers a wide range of economy, standard and business class products. Many models have hidden loops that are protected from cutting. IN the lineup reinforced steel doors, 2.2 mm thick are included.
• Condor - durable, strong, reliable doors. Large model range. Modern design, rich colors. Products are available at affordable prices quality door class "standard" on sale at a discount.
• Torex supplies beautiful models with good sound insulation, high parameters of reliability and durability. Production lines are equipped with new imported equipment.
• Elbor is a brand known since 1993. Production is on a wide scale. Products are equipped with fittings own production, have class III–IV burglary resistance.

Summing up

After a detailed acquaintance, how to choose the front door to the apartment, we will draw up short list Key points to consider when buying:

1. The steel from which the door is made must have a thickness of 1.5 to 2.5 mm.
2. The optimal number of stiffeners is 6. Four of them are located in the horizontal direction, two - vertically.
3. The design must have a vestibule.
4. The most durable and durable will be hinges with a bearing. The number of hinges depends on the weight of the sash, if it exceeds 100 kg, the load should be distributed over three hinges.
5. A sealant is needed around the perimeter of the box.
6. The greatest degree of protection against burglary will provide two locks: level and cylinder.
7. The armor plate on the lock and anti-removable pins increase resistance to burglary.
8. The box is considered the most durable and reliable, which is made of a profile pipe and has only one weld.

We hope that choosing the front door using these tips will be easier for you.