Double doors: how to choose the right one?

Entrance doors are designed not only to delimit the space, but also serve as reliable protection against the penetration of unauthorized persons. They also protect the home from bad weather. One of the first places is the appearance of products that can decorate the front entrance to a country cottage or an interior doorway.

Double-leaf products are a structure consisting of two sheets, which is united by one door frame and common platbands. The canvases are attached to both sides of the block, independently of each other. As a rule, one of the flaps is fixed with latch from below and from above and has a mostly decorative function. Such a door is opened only when absolutely necessary.

When choosing a double-leaf structure, first of all, you should consider where it will be installed. If this is an exit from the apartment to the entrance, then it is worth choosing a model of medium strength and thickness, as well as an average price category. If you choose the front door for a private house or cottage, then you should carefully approach the choice.

Double doors are different from other designs, they have their pros and cons.

The positive qualities include:

• Increased opening width. Two or more people can enter the double-leaf opening at the same time, and you can also bring in large-sized items.
• Increased strength. Double-leaf doors last longer. Their service life significantly exceeds the service life of a conventional single blade. This is due to the fact that the entire load is evenly distributed on both sashes, which in turn reduces the load on the hinges.
• An excellent solution for non-standard dimensions of the entrance opening.
• Appearance. The external double-leaf door looks luxurious and respectable. While the inner one is graceful and beautiful. Internal doors with two canvases are decorated with stained-glass windows, glass, additionally decorated with an arch, turning them into a work of art that complements the interior decoration.

Perhaps the only drawback of these structures is that they require a large space for the movement of the shutters and are not suitable for tight spaces.

The leaves can be the same or different. In typical apartments with a door opening of 90 cm, a standard door leaf is suitable. If the dimensions of the opening are more than 1 m, it is possible to put a one-and-a-half door, which is a type of double-leaf, where the two canvases have different widths. Usually this ratio is 2: 1 or 3: 1.

In short, if you own a home with wide doorways, double doors are the perfect solution for you.

Depending on the type of opening, double-leaf doors are:

• Swing. These are simple doors with two leaves in one frame. They require space directly in front of them for the flaps to function freely. The direction of their movement often plays a major role, since the doors can open not only outward or inward, but also in both directions.Such a function requires a special locking system and fittings, which can be mounted not only on the surface of the door, but also built into the door itself. This type of door will decorate a spacious interior.

• Sliding. This is a compartment type of door sliding to the side. They are suitable for openings from 110 cm and wider. For such a model, space is needed on both sides of the opening where the flaps will slide. The structure consists of doors, which are rolled to the sides along the rails with the help of rollers. This type of door is good because it frees up space directly in front of the opening, and also looks very luxurious and elegant.

• Folding. These are the so-called accordion doors. Folding doors are undoubtedly a functional innovation in design. They are suitable for not very spacious apartments due to their compactness. Folding doors are a jalousie type structure where the slats are opened and closed using rails and rollers. The most convenient option that does not require additional space to open the canvases.

There are only two types of double-leaf doors:

• Standard rectangular.
• Arched. Depending on the designer's idea, these can be full-fledged arched doors, or rectangular, with arched design to match the style of the door, with windows and decor.

It should be taken into account that double doors are a more complex structure than a conventional swing door. The operation of double doors is assumed to be more active and complex, and therefore their design, fittings and materials from which they are made are of particular importance.

Ideal material for strong and reliable outdoor doors. In the manufacture of metal entrance structures, they are insulated from the inside with insulating materials, due to which the house is kept warm and extraneous sounds do not penetrate.

There are several types of finishing metal products:

• powder coating;
• finishing with MDF panels;
• wood;
• PVC film;
• in addition, if glass or mirrors are installed in the entrance doors, they are strengthened with forged decor. These models are suitable for a country house or cottage;
• interior doors made of metal, a rare phenomenon, but there are lightweight models made of aluminum or stainless steel, combining decor made of plastic and glass.

Undoubtedly the most environmentally friendly and noble material. Wood products are always relevant, as they look noble, add charm and gloss to the whole room, and their stylish design will successfully fit into any interior. Wooden doors are equally suitable for both outdoor and indoor installation. For external use, wooden canvases are additionally treated with special impregnations in order to extend their service life. In addition, wood retains heat well and insulates sound. The service life of such products, with proper care, can be calculated in decades.

The most common material that has received consumer recognition due to its low cost and beautiful appearance. For the price, such doors will be much more economical than those made of solid wood, but outwardly they will not yield to it in the least. Modern technologies for the production of MDF make it possible to successfully imitate the colors and textures of the most valuable types of wood, which makes it possible to produce surfaces that are as similar in appearance to wood as possible.

Doors made of plastic are characterized by low weight and modest dimensions. But the material itself tends to reduce the cost of the interior, therefore such solutions are suitable for premises such as a balcony, dressing room, bathroom. An exception may be an architectural idea. If the goal is to emphasize the simplicity and asceticism of housing, then in this case, plastic double doors can create a significant accent.

A one-piece canvas is rarely made of glass, if this is not a design accent. In ultra-modern interiors with a futuristic direction, all-glass door panels can be introduced. True, in this case, the material is selected super-strong. Often, glass is used as a decorative element for structures made of wood, plastic, MDF or metal.

When choosing materials, first of all, you should be guided by the purpose and design of the room where the double-leaf doors will be installed.

• Luxurious door leaves made of solid wood or veneered MDF will decorate a spacious living room in a classic style and form a delicate alliance with wooden furniture. Also, these doors will successfully fit into the business style of a personal office or hall, decorated with materials similar in color and texture.

• For the bedroom and nursery, MDF products decorated with frosted glass inserts are suitable. Frosted glass doors leading from the bedroom to the private bathroom will also be a good design solution.

• A stylish and modern look to the kitchen, decorated in high-tech or minimalist style, will additionally be given by double-sided doors, completely made of glass.

The modern market is rich in interesting models, from simple and minimalistic, laconic in design, to exclusive, complex in execution. In addition, you can always contact a professional who will make a unique design according to your individual project. Undoubtedly, the functionality and external beauty of double-leaf designs will satisfy your sophisticated taste.

For more information on the Solento 4 double-leaf doors, see the following video.