The first thing to remember when choosing an entrance door is that the price will really depend on the quality. Inexpensive metal entrance doors can be chosen for three thousand rubles, but it is not necessary to hope that they will protect the house from intrusions and silence in the hallway. Yes, and for a house or a cottage, this option is definitely not suitable, because in this case we will talk about constant operation in street conditions.
The cost of a powerful armored door for a country house can start from 25 thousand rubles, but the quality will certainly be much higher. In general, for an apartment where the front door will stand in a relatively warm entrance, perhaps with a vestibule, you can choose a door of the middle price category, but we strongly do not recommend saving on the front door for the house.
The second point is the choice of the manufacturer. The dealer is obliged to indicate to you in which factory the entrance door was made, to provide quality certificates. It’s good if on the manufacturer’s website you can find a diagram, a drawing of a door with all components and read about its characteristics. It is better to give preference to proven manufacturers, with a good reputation, who have been working in this market for more than one year. It does not hurt to read the reviews of homeowners who have already bought this model of the front door.
The lock is a very important part of the front door. Ideally, the lock should be factory installed by the same manufacturer. You should find out if there is a possibility of changing the lock, if it is an integral part of a metal entrance door, this may cause problems. However, reliable and high-quality locks usually last long enough, no less than the door itself.
The soundproofing of the door depends on its filling. In pursuit of savings, you can buy a dummy steel door, without the “filling”, which is responsible for reducing the noise level. In this case, you will hear all the neighbors in the staircase, learn their work schedule and be able to communicate through a closed door. For sound insulation, the “pie” inside the door is important, choose models with an Rw index of 32, 34 and 42 dB. Such doors are also called hotel doors, because this indicator is especially important for hotels and manufacturers have created special lines. For the front door to an apartment without a vestibule, this is a great option.
As for thermal insulation, you should pay attention to the presence of seals and a layer of mineral wool or expanded polystyrene inside the door. In this case, the very high-quality installation of the door is also important, in particular, filling the joints with mounting foam. It is imperative to be careful not to blow from the keyhole..
In addition, the sound and heat insulation will be affected by the number of sealing circuits at the points of contact tight to the door frame. At least two sealing circuits so that the inner one strengthens and duplicates the quality of the outer one. Be sure to pay attention to the door frame. If it is hollow, then insulating the door itself will not help.!
When choosing an entrance door, you should also pay attention:
- To the thickness of the steel sheet. According to GOST 31173 – 2003 “Steel door blocks”, the thickness of the metal must be at least 1.5 millimeters. Experts recommend 2 millimeters.
- Armor pads and anti-cuts are very important as protection against thieves..
- There are several levels of burglary resistance of entrance doors, the best option is level 4, but experts also call 3 quite reliable.
- You can’t do without an external platband, because it will hide all the technical elements of the fasteners, as well as perform decorative and protective functions. The internal platband is generally not required, it simply is not included in the standard package and is ordered at the request of the customer.
Steel entrance doors, painted with hammer paint, which, after application, are baked in a special oven, remain the leader in popularity. Thanks to this, the paint is not afraid of any atmospheric influences.
Also popular are overlays made of wood, particularly ash or oak. Another very common option is MDF panels, protected from external influences with a special film.
The interior decoration of the entrance door can be more varied; laminate, just paint, mirror inserts, veneer or lining are often used. In this regard, the main thing is that the interior decoration matches the interior of the corridor or hallway..
Note that outwardly it is far from always possible to determine the characteristics of an entrance door, therefore quality certificates for components and a lock are a must! Choose the right door and your home will always be safe, quiet and warm.
Choosing an entrance door can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. What are the key factors one should consider when selecting an entrance door? Are there any specific design considerations, security features, or material preferences that one should focus on? And finally, are there any trusted brands or professionals that can assist in this decision-making process? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!