Steel doors: views and features

For a long time, people were especially trembling about the choice of an entrance or interior door, since it performs a large list of functions (decorative, guarding, and others). One of the oldest materials in use is metal, so steel products are the most common interior and exterior door structures. To choose the right option, you need to take into account all aspects and correlate price and quality.

• Second, the doors are made of steel not subject to decay, corrosion, they do not absorb moisture and tolerate temperature changes normally. In this regard, they can be installed absolutely everywhere, both in the office and as the front door to the house.
• Such models of interior doors easy to repair or restore. The design of the hinges and the built-in lock is very simple and therefore easy to replace.
• Modern steel doors are distinguished by a large selection of models, therefore, it is very easy to find both simple classic and unusual with decorative inserts. In this regard, the door becomes not just a partition that allows people to pass, but an element of decor, therefore, every time it is used, it will delight with its beauty and reliability.

It should also be noted that steel doors have a number of design features. If a protective front door was chosen, then it must open outward, and not inward, since otherwise it is very easy for intruders to break it with a jack or crowbar. Particular attention should be paid to door locks. Masters advise that there are at least two of them, as well as that they have a different key opening mechanism. It is very important that the entrance sash has special locks and anti-burglar pins that prevent it from being removed from the hinges.

Elite metal door leaves also have distinctive features. Their obligatory components should be "ribs", which give more strength and rigidity to the product. Thanks to them, reliability and performance are increased. According to the standard and generally accepted rules, a door made of steel should have basic elements such as a load-bearing body, a locking system, additional functions and amenities, as well as decorative elements.

There are no ideal things, therefore a steel door has several disadvantages:

• Cheap and thin metal doors have insufficient or very poor sound insulation, and also poorly restrain the cold air flow. In this regard, it is worth choosing a thicker canvas with special inserts or overlays.
• Strong structures, as a rule, have a lot of weight, so they must be fixed as correctly and clearly as possible so that under their own weight the door leaf stands level and functions without touching the threshold or wall.
• Metal as a material is very vulnerable to dents and scratches, so you should be careful with it.In case of deformation of the surface, it is necessary to correct it with the help of specialists or carry out an independent painting.
• Since such doors have a high level of burglary resistance, if you lose the keys, you will have to change the lock or the whole door, because traces or potholes may remain from forced burglary.

Today, on the market for metal doors, there is a wide variety of species. This whole community, in turn, is divided into certain categories, thanks to which it is easy to choose the right product. The first species category classifies them according to the functional purpose of the doors.

• Entrance doors... From the name itself, it is clear that such an entrance flap is the entrance from the street space into the room.
• Apartment. They are installed at the entrance to the apartment, which has a driveway or pre-bath space.
• Office... These are entrance canvases that serve as an entrance for office premises in business centers, small private companies, and the like.

• Technical or primary... They are installed at the initial stage of building construction, as well as in highly specialized premises that require an additional level of protection to ensure safety.
• Specialized or narrowly targeted. This is a kind of door that has non-standard qualities, usually made bulletproof or fireproof. These products are quality tested and belong to the premium class.

The second type of classification is door leaf openings. Here a distinction is made between doors with external and internal opening. In turn, they are divided into right-handed and left-handed.

The next type of classification divides door leaves according to the level of burglary resistance. Today, there are no certain mandatory standards that oblige manufacturers to make doors in a certain way (except for specialized ones), but it is in the interests of each factory to make a quality product. According to the burglar-resistant characteristics, 5 classes are distinguished according to GOST. Accordingly, class 1 is door leaves that can be broken open without the use of special tools and brute force. The second class is such door leaves that can be opened only with special devices and master keys. The higher the level, the higher the degree of protection, therefore, bulletproof doors, banking and others are classified as class 5.

The fourth type of classification divides door leaves according to the type of their design features. According to their characteristics, all doors are single-sheet, double-sheet or three-sheet, their price and strength depend on this. In order for a steel door to have good sound insulation and thermal insulation, the space between the sheets can be filled with wood, polyurethane or special wool. Also, special seals are used for greater tightness of the door leaf in the frame. Design features also include protective mechanisms and devices that provide additional safety. These include platbands (frames covering the gap between the door frame and the wall), a metal plate that protects the lock from burglary, a special porch that protects a small gap between the door and the outer part of the frame, as well as deviators - these are additional devices for closing the door inside the case itself ...

The fifth specific difference divides the door leaves according to the decorative finish, the materials taken for the manufacture of the structure itself and the decor elements. For the production and decoration of steel doors, they take natural or artificial leather, laminate, MDF, wood. For decoration and decoration, elements of artistic forging, glass or mirror inserts can be used.

By design features, metal doors are divided into several types. They are differentiated by the number of valves.

• Unisexual doors. In turn, they are also called single-leaf. It is clear from their definition that they have a single door leaf.This type is typical for standard interior openings, this is the most typical and standard option.
• Bipartite (double leaf) doors.

This type of interior canvases consists of 2 doors. In practice, most often, one is used, and the second is opened if it is necessary to carry large-sized furniture or cargo. Double-leaf doors are also divided into 3 types of subgroups:

• Equal door leaves - have sash identical in size, which are equally attached and function.
• One and a half doors. The name itself indicates their size. One part has the usual standard dimensions, and the other part has a width equal to half the first. The smaller part opens as needed, for example, when you need to bring in large or non-standard furniture, but the usual meter opening is not enough.
• Unequal. According to their parameters, the door leaves have unequal width, and the height is fully consistent with each other.

Doors are also divided according to the opening method:

• Swing mechanism... Such door leaves open either forward or in the opposite direction, that is, they swing open.
• Sliding... In the case of this mechanism, the doors slide sideways along special rails.
• Folding... The principle of operation resembles the work of an accordion: the sashes are folded and moved to the side.
• Roto doors... This is a special type of door that combines the principle of sliding and swing doors. They can be opened in any direction.

During the Soviet era, there were certain standard sizes that limited all manufacturers in the creative implementation of door leaves, since they covered not only the door itself, but also the dimensions of the aisles and door frames. Today, buildings and houses are built to suit every taste and size. In this regard, the size range of doors has a wide variety, but still most manufacturers adhere to certain standards. This allows the customer and the buyer to make as few mistakes as possible when choosing a door leaf. It should be noted that the concept of door dimensions includes both the thickness of the door leaf and the width of the doorway. For conventional overhead doors, the following parameters exist: if the door leaf is 85 cm wide, then the opening must be at least 3 cm larger, that is, 88 cm.Accordingly, the following size range applies: 89 cm - 92 cm, 97 cm - 100 cm , 120 cm - 123 cm (latest data is valid for double doors).

If the door leaf is with a recessed landing, then the dimension will be slightly changed, for example, 86 cm (door) - 90 cm (opening), 91 cm - 95 cm, 100 cm - 104 cm. In the case of ordering doors from abroad, it is worth considering that they have a different size range, so it is worthwhile to clarify all the parameters. Today, the dominant number of doorways are 74-76 cm wide and 195-198 cm high. If the house is built of bricks, then the dimensions are slightly increased - 88 cm wide and 200 cm high. In "stalinka" apartments, the doorways are very large and comfortable - 130 cm wide and 255 cm high. Based on the above data, we can say that all door leaves and openings have their own dimensions, and therefore the dimensions of the metal door vary. Therefore, before installation, it is best to measure all the data and accurately operate with the resulting numbers.

Thanks to modern technologies and high-quality alloys, steel doors can be found on the market in a wide range of colors. Usually, the color is matched to the general interior of the room, as a rule, these are white, beige shades or darker, close to gray, metallic colors. Very often they are performed in a certain style, which determines the shade.

• Door steel sheets in classic style have, as a rule, clear forms and monochromatic low-key tones, such as white, creamy, ivory, noble gray.
• Steel doors in art nouveau style have a bolder color palette.It can be velvet black, dark blue, red, ocher.

It may seem that choosing a steel door is easy, but in reality this is not at all the case. To make the right choice and choose exactly the very door leaf, you need to decide on several points. Often, a potential buyer first looks at reviews on websites about companies that produce doors. This is a very good option, since only real owners will be able to point out all the pros and cons of the purchased door leaf. Thus, the best and most suitable options can be selected.

The first thing to decide on is the place in which the door will be installed, since its quality characteristics and material will depend on this. Doors can be intended for the street, namely as a wicket or a door in a fence, for a private cottage or a country house (it can be wooden or brick, which also affects the choice).

After the location has been determined, attention should be paid to the following parameters.

• Insulation (the degree of protection of the dwelling). The door must fulfill its main function - protection from unauthorized persons. Therefore, it needs to be strong and have a good sheet thickness. It should be at least 4-5 mm. For more specialized places (bank), a thicker layer (up to several centimeters) is required to make the door bulletproof.
• Finishes and materials... Its choice should be approached based on the interior of the room in which it will be installed. Finishing can be made of natural wood, MDF panels, and the door is also covered with laminate. The choice largely depends on the material capabilities and the stylistic image of the hallway or front door. Do not forget about the insulation of steel doors, since in the northern and central regions the winter time is very cold, so it is necessary to install insulated options. To keep the door warmer, a steel door with a thermal break can be an excellent option. This is such a design of seals on the door, which does not allow cold air currents to cool the door, and even more so to get into the room.

A pleasant addition will be the installation of a special magnetic seal, which has a lot of positive qualities. With it, it is easy to hide defects after installing the door, and it also contributes to a tighter and softer door closing.

• Decorative elements... The external aesthetic appearance of the door leaf is also important. It is very convenient when the door is not only beautiful, but also functional. Often, buyers choose steel doors, where one side is with a mirror. This is very handy, because before going out, you can look at your appearance. Doors are also decorated with transoms. It can be made of the same upholstery materials as on the main part, and often has glass inserts to visually expand the space.

If you plan to install a steel door in a private house, where the exit leads directly to the street, then you should think about additional protection - gratings. Lattice partitions can be used as a second door and can also be locked.Do not forget about high-quality coverage. If it is installed outdoors, then a powder-coated sash is a good option. It is not subject to corrosion, will be resistant to temperature changes, fireproof and has many options for textures and patterns. For the apartment space, more comfortable door leaves are suitable: with wood trim or with leatherette. For information on how to choose steel doors, see the next video.

Modern doors cover the entire list of necessary qualities that are so necessary for a person (protection, thermal insulation, sound insulation), but as mentioned earlier, steel and metal, which are of small thickness, easily let in extraneous noise from neighboring rooms, an entrance or a street. In this regard, additional sound insulation is required, which will absorb third-party sounds. First of all, masters advise to initially purchase a high-quality steel door leaf, which will provide a high level of sound insulation. These can be doors with wood trim or MDF panels. It can also be fabric or leather upholstery. The door leaves are commercially available with increased thickness of steel, which provides a low noise level in the room and a high level of protection.

If a not quite thick door was purchased, then soundproofing can be done by hand. There are many budget options available. And here are some of them.

• Self-paneling. As a rule, for such work they use leatherette or other dense upholstery fabric. A synthetic winterizer, batting, foam rubber is preliminarily placed under it. This is a very simple and cheap way to provide excellent sound and heat insulation in a room.
• The second way is to use polyurethane foama. It is fixed inside the door leaf. It adheres perfectly to the surface and perfectly fulfills its function. It is worth knowing the fact that this material is highly flammable, so you should be careful.

• If there is enough space, then a very simple and effective option can be implemented. Many owners of steel and metal doors install an additional second doorwhich creates an air gap. It does not allow sound vibrations and cold air to pass through.
• Often use mineral wool, which fits into the cavity of the door leaf. It is worth noting the fact that it has such a property as shrinkage. This means that over time, this material shrinks and shrinks in volume. In this regard, before laying it, you need to install a special frame in the door cavity.
• And the last, also budget option, is cladding with foam or MDF panels. But, according to experts, this option will reduce the noise by only 60-50%.

In order to correctly install a steel door in an apartment or house, it is best to contact specialists and professionals in this matter, since there is a risk that the door frame or the door itself will be installed obliquely, as a result of this, the sash will not close well or open from its own weight if not locked. If it was decided to do the installation of the door yourself, then you should adhere to a certain stage and have at least an initial idea and skills in the field of repair and installation.

First of all, you need to order a steel door with the correct and accurate parameters that exactly match the doorway. After receiving it and delivering it to the outlet, you need to insert the door handle and check it in operation until the door is installed. To do this, you need a regular Phillips screwdriver. Next, you need to check the operation of the lock. All pins should scroll freely inside the lock. After making sure that everything is working properly, you can get to work, after removing the door from the hinges and freeing the box. Then the old door is dismantled, in place of which a new one will be installed.The freed doorway must be cleaned of debris and old plaster. If the door is installed from the side of the street, and not the entrance, then it is best to stick a sealing tape around the perimeter of the inner side of the platband or panels. Often, a set of doors includes special insulation made of mineral wool or batting. Such an insulated case will help keep the house warm. It is installed in the corresponding grooves in the door frame.

Then the box is installed in the doorway. It is very important to follow the ruler with the level so that it is level, otherwise the door will be difficult to open. In order to be able to make adjustments, it is necessary to leave small gaps, about 2 cm. There are special mounting holes in the door frame, where anchor bolts must be screwed in so that it is fixed in a certain position. After fully installing it, you need to check again using a level that the door frame is level.

Later you can start installing the door itself. You just need to put it on the hinges and check again how the door leaf opens and closes along with the locks and latches, if any. Finally, it is necessary to foam all the seams and decorate with panels that will be made from the same profile as the door.

Initially, if we are talking about a steel door, then according to the associative row, an entrance door is immediately presented, which has large dimensions, a large mass and reliably protects its owner from strangers. As a rule, her appearance is very conservative, restrained, without decorative elements and flashy colors. But today, people are trying to move away from stereotypes and try to decorate their home, starting from the doorstep.

Typically, a standard metal door looks unattractive, so a special decor is required to dilute the "gray" environment. There are several options for decorating the door to make it look nice and cozy.

For manufacturers, the easiest option is to paint steel doors. Such material is not affected by external factors such as humidity or temperature changes. Enamel paint or metal lacquer coating is used as a coloring matter. As a result, multi-colored beautiful doors are obtained, the color of which can be matched to any room.

This photo shows an interesting combination of a bright and colorful door in a composition with plain light walls. Thus, it refreshes the room and makes it more modern and unusual.

Recently, it has become very popular to install airbrushed entrance canvases. This is a very unusual decoration option.

Another finishing method is the manufacturer's use of finishing film and vinyl leather. This is a very beautiful and affordable decoration option. It looks very nice and aesthetically pleasing. With the help of special nails and steel thread, you can create a beautiful geometric pattern on the surface of the door leaf. If over time such a coating and pattern gets bored, then it is easy to replace it with a new one, with a new color, texture and ornament.

Steel doors with overhead panels made of MDF, veneer sheets, and real wood look very beautiful. As natural materials, they take an array of oak, ash, linden and so on. The most important thing is that such a door will look very nice, expensive and cozy. It is very important that all wood panels are properly processed and impregnated with a solution from decay and mold.

As you can see in this image, the door looks very massive, but at the same time cozy and noble.

There are more sophisticated and expensive jewelry options that will always delight the owner with their beauty. Very often, steel doors are decorated with artistic forging, which can be either designer or factory. This steel door is very simple in design and has a standard color, but in combination with forged elements, it looks very unusual and beautiful.

Also, a very popular decor is the insert of glass or stained glass.