Insulated metal entrance door: how to choose?

Replacing the front door always brings a lot of trouble - you need to choose a high-quality, durable, soundproof door leaf that would also retain heat well. How to choose an insulated metal front door will be discussed in this article.

Entrance metal insulated doors can be of the following types:

• Single leaf. They are most often installed in apartments and private houses.
• Bivalve. They are the ideal solution for decorating wide doorways.
• Tambour. Installed as street doors if there is a vestibule in the room.
• Technical entrance doors are external door leaves that are usually installed in warehouses and industrial premises.

In addition, insulated models of entrance doors can be either conventional or have some additional parameters. Door leaves can be with a thermal break, with additional protection against burglary, fire-prevention, and can be with glass or other decorative elements.

The main material of door leaves is usually steel of various thicknesses - from 2 to 6 mm. Cheaper doors made in China are made of steel alloys, which are of lower quality.

The frame itself can be made of a profile, a metal corner or their hybrid - a bent profile. Doborks and platbands, if any, can also be either steel or made of the material of finishing and upholstery of the door itself. Entrance door fittings, as well as various components, are almost always steel. This is the only way to ensure the reliability and safety of the entire structure as a whole.

Since the doors are also insulated, materials such as polyurethane, foam rubber, foam and other fillers are also used to create them, which provide thermal insulation.

In the modern market for entrance iron insulated doors, you can see models of various sizes. In addition, most of the manufacturers make doors according to individual customer sizes. But still, most of these products, or rather, their dimensions are regulated by GOST.

According to this document, the dimensions of the insulated entrance door leaves should be as follows:

• The thickness of the door is not strictly prescribed either in this or in any other regulatory document. In particular, this is due to the fact that in each case the width and thickness of the wall itself and the door frame may be different. At the expense of the thickness in GOST there is only a small recommendation, which indicates that this indicator cannot be less than 2 mm.
• The height of the door leaf ranges from 207 cm to 237 cm. The difference of thirty centimeters is explained by the difference in the design of the doorway and its shape.
• The width of the door leaf should be selected in accordance with its type. The optimal dimensions are 101 cm for a single-leaf door; 191-195 cm for models with two doors; 131 cm or 151 cm for one-and-a-half doors.

It is especially worth noting that these recommendations apply only to insulated entrance doors intended for installation in private apartments and houses.But many manufacturers ignore these recommendations and make doors according to their sizes, which are also in demand by customers.

Until recently, entrance doors had only dark classic colors: black, dark brown, dark gray and dark blue. Today on sale you can see models of red, pink, milk, green colors.

In addition, some manufacturers offer customers not just plain insulated steel sheets, but real works of art with drawings or beautiful decor that stands out from the general color of the door in its tone. If in the assortment of the manufacturer it was not possible to find a suitable color option, you can ask to provide a catalog of the used color palette and select the desired color from there.

In any case, the choice of iron entrance doors with thermal insulation is wide today, and each model differs from the other not only in shape, material of manufacture and color, but also in its filler.

Today, manufacturers of this product can insulate their products using several filler options.

Each of them has its own pros and cons:

• Corrugated cardboard today it is used quite rarely and mainly in the cheapest models of entrance doors. The difference between this material and others lies in its low quality and low cost. It retains heat rather poorly, while being flammable, does not contribute to sound insulation and accumulates excess moisture, which leads to its early deformation. Experienced experts do not recommend purchasing doors with such insulation.

• Mineral wool it is used today often because of its low cost and complete environmental friendliness. But when choosing an entrance door with such a heater, it is necessary to clarify whether there is a special barrier between steel and cotton wool, otherwise the thermal insulation will quickly become unusable. Mineral wool, like corrugated cardboard, suffers greatly from moisture.
• Styrofoam has been used for quite some time as a heater, and not only in the manufacture of entrance metal doors. This material has a high level of thermal insulation, sound insulation, it is also non-toxic, inexpensive and sold everywhere. It is also important that such a filler does not increase the mass of the door leaf itself.

• Polyurethane - This is one of the modern materials used as insulation. It has a high level of thermal insulation, noise absorption and fire resistance. Non-toxic, not susceptible to moisture, it has two varieties. For high-quality insulation of the entrance door, it is better to choose polyurethane with closed cells.
• Cork agglomerate - This is a natural natural insulation, has excellent characteristics, but at the same time has a very high cost. Doors with such insulation are available in the assortment of only some manufacturers and are usually made only to order.

From such a brief description of the materials used to create insulated doors, it becomes clear that the best insulation option is polyurethane or polyurethane foam. If there are no door leaves with such a filler, then you can also purchase a model with foam insulation. For regions with unpredictable weather and very cold climates, it is worth choosing models of entrance doors with double insulation - mineral wool and polyurethane. In addition to good thermal insulation, such door leaves also have excellent sound insulation.

Insulated metal entrance doors have a lot of advantages, and, perhaps, only one drawback, which is their rather boring design. But it was like that before. Now the design of such door panels is very extensive and diverse.

You can find doors in the usual classic style, which are a simple steel door leaf in dark shades, and you can also find a real work of art.

Quite often, the design of the door is carried out using special strips that imitate wood. They are glued onto steel sheets. In appearance, such a door leaf resembles a model made of expensive solid wood and has a beautiful natural color.

Sometimes steel entrance doors are decorated with a metal braid around the entire perimeter. A variety of glass or plastic inserts are very rarely used as design items for such products, since they are rather fragile.

The simplest design option is to use several types of decorative coatings. One door can be painted with polymer paint in two or three colors. This gives a stylish and modern appearance, makes such a model interesting for buyers and favorably distinguishes it against the background of the general assortment.

But manufacturers pay more attention to the design of that part of the door, which is located in the room itself. It is to her that a person will pay more attention every day. Therefore, the inside of the door leaf is often decorated with a mirror, a beautiful pattern made of polymer dyes, or decorative strips.

Some manufacturers who are engaged in the manufacture of insulated entrance doors to order give their customers the opportunity to independently choose and their overall design. The buyer decides for himself whether he needs to somehow decorate the entrance to his home or not.

When purchasing a steel insulated front door, you need to know that it is being sold together with certain components.

Each manufacturer may have its own set, but there are general components that must be:

• Door frame.
• Burglar-proof thorns.
• Awnings.
• Stiffening rib.
• Distribution rod.
• Door leaf.
• Locks.
• Handles on the bar.

If such an entrance door is also soundproof, then it can be completed with special overlays. Some models also have a special peephole.

Depending on the model chosen, the package may include special strips, a mirror, additional awnings, pins and locks. To make sure that you are purchasing a full-fledged set, you should ask the seller before paying for the purchase what kind of components this product is being sold with.

There are quite a few manufacturers of iron insulated entrance doors. When buying, it is recommended to first of all pay attention to the products of the following companies:

• The Guardian. This brand is the leader in sales in the domestic market. The models are presented in a varied and varied assortment, have high-quality technical characteristics. Each door has its own unique appearance and characteristics. Customer reviews of such entrance iron metal doors are only positive. The high cost, according to them, is fully paid off by the presentable and stylish design and quality of use.

• Elbor Is another Russian door manufacturer that manufactures this product of excellent quality and in a fairly wide range. Buyers of doors of this brand leave positive reviews about the doors. Many people really like that the design of the entrance door leaf can be easily changed by removing and installing new decorative panels. People are especially positive about the high thermal insulation properties of all models of these doors.
• "Condor" - this manufacturer manufactures and sells insulated models of entrance doors in a not too wide range, but at a low cost.With such a pricing policy, all door leaves are of high quality, attractive appearance, long warranty period of use and an excellent level of safety during daily use. And the reviews of the owners of the doors of this manufacturer only confirm this information.

• "Torex" Is another domestic brand. A wide range, high build quality, high-quality thermal insulation and a fairly high price - this is exactly what characterizes the doors of this manufacturer. It is very difficult to find negative reviews about the doors of this brand, buyers fully confirm all the manufacturer's words about these door leaves.
• Novak Is a Polish manufacturer whose products are also in high demand. Buyers especially note the presentable and stylish appearance, affordable cost. Positive reviews apply to both the wide range and the excellent quality of thermal insulation.

Each of the above manufacturers has a lineup of both economy class and luxury doors. Therefore, each buyer will be able to choose the ideal option for himself, depending on the wishes and financial capabilities.

With the right choice and proper installation, an insulated metal entrance door can also become a beautiful decoration of the entire interior, and here is proof of this:

The color blends beautifully and harmoniously with the walls of the building. Thanks to the decor located in the middle of the canvas itself, the entrance looks stylish and unusual. The combination of different materials makes the model both conspicuous and reliable. Such a door leaf is ideal for both a cottage and a private house.

Massive and presentable design of the doorway. This option is ideal for a country house. Reliable construction will protect the room from unwanted guests. The dark color in this case looks very noble, and the unusual design only emphasizes the presentability of the door itself.

The model with a dark wood imitation with a beautiful floral decor is an unusual, stylish and reliable design of the entrance doorway. Ideal for installation both in a country house and in an apartment.

Insulated steel entrance doors are a harsh necessity in our climate. But do not think that they must necessarily be monochromatic and boring.

You will learn more about the insulation of the front door in the video below.