Entrance metal doors reliably protect the house from the entry of strangers, as well as from cold and noise. In the store we see such different offers and prices for them. How to choose a metal entrance door to an apartment? How to find a balance between price and quality, not to overpay and get quality? We'll definitely figure it out. What is more important: the technical component or your own desires?
Before choosing a metal door, you need to understand its structure. Now they are complex and have great functionality. There are multilayer, heavy, beautiful, armored, heat-resistant, etc. The list could take a very long time. But are all their functions really necessary for you?
To decide which front door to buy for your apartment, you need to answer the question of what is important to you. Often manufacturers, unable to reduce the price in order to make the product competitive, sacrifice some important functionality. The law determines the quality of the product in GOST 31173-2013. Typically, consumer interests concern:
- reliability,
- attractiveness,
- heat and sound insulation.
The size of the door determines the size of the opening; you should not install it larger. Expanding the opening can disrupt the integrity of the surrounding space, so in the end, having a large, reliable door, you can end up with a completely unreliable installation.
Advice. To prevent your door from being opened by any means of burglary, do not choose a model that opens inward.
Reliability of a metal door
First of all, everyone is interested in strength. There are seven reliability classes in total, the 7th is the highest, used in banks, places where important documents and valuables are stored. According to GOST, the strength indicator should be M1. Most people don't need a heavy armored door. For an apartment, the second strength class is sufficient, for a private house, the 4th. Pay attention to the welds on the frame; ideally there should be one; the more seams, the weaker the frame. The thickness of steel for apartments must be at least 2 mm, for private houses at least 4 mm. Cold rolled steel is stronger.
It is important to install the metal sheet on both sides or only on one. A one-sided canvas covered with MDF or laminate is no longer so durable, and sounds from the entrance will be very audible. You should also pay attention to the stiffening ribs. It is better when they are located both horizontally and vertically or diagonally. It will be almost impossible to break into such a door. Too many stiffeners can overload the door and make it very heavy, making it difficult to use.
In addition to strength, it is important that the installed locks and hinges are reliable. Reliability is not determined only by the thickness of the steel; all parameters taken together are important. Weak locks and hinges on doors made of 6mm steel will play a role. Hinges are often installed with external anti-removal hinges. Hidden ones cannot be cut, but there is a high risk that they may jam, preventing the owners from entering the house, and then the door will have to be broken down. The entrance door to an apartment with a door leaf of up to 3mm requires the installation of a pair of hinges; if it is an office with high traffic or the steel is heavier, then it is better to install 3-4 hinges.
Choose more expensive locks, otherwise the cost of the door itself will be useless. As a standard, 2 locks are inserted into metal doors; this is done to protect the owner of the apartment in case one of the locks breaks down. Locks are installed built-in; it is not customary to install overhead locks on such doors.
To more reliably protect the apartment, locks are installed in different types, by default lever and cylinder, but there are also other varieties:
- Level locks are considered the most reliable locks; it is better to choose them for installation. The strongest ones with a manganese insert and a large number of crossbars. Professional advice is locks with a “crab design”, when the bolts extend in different directions;
- the deadbolt lock is too simple for the front door;
- the electronic lock is reliable, but expensive, and as a result not very popular;
- The cylinder one is installed only in conjunction with the lever one, as it has an average level of protection. To prevent such a lock from being broken into, it is covered with special armor plates that cannot be drilled.
There are experimental and combined locks assembled to order.
How to choose an entrance door: insulation and sound insulation
A high-quality entrance door to an apartment should be insulated and soundproofed. It does not allow dust, foreign odors, cold to pass through, and is resistant to moisture and light. A good filler solves the insulation problem. Be sure to check for seals along all sides, this will prevent you from knowing that there is smoking in the entrance. One circuit is enough, the main thing is that it is reliable. Rubber seals have proven themselves to be the best. If they offer a seal made of foam rubber, silicone, plastic or polyurethane, refuse.
The space between the stiffeners must be filled with insulation. It also plays the role of sound insulation, since the hollow door has a “drum effect”. Mineral wool behaves excellently as insulation, but over time it sags and loses its properties.
Polyurethane foam is suitable for both apartments and houses, but is much more expensive than mineral wool. Polystyrene foam is an inexpensive but highly flammable material; you will additionally have to use polyurethane foam to achieve complete filling. Paper and cardboard fillers are not resistant to moisture. Penoplex has properties similar to mineral wool, but is also not resistant to fire.
Foam concrete can also be recommended. Yes, it is heavy, but it solves the problem of heat, humidity and sound insulation at once, and it is important to understand that complete sound insulation of metal doors of apartment buildings is unlikely.
With the help of a high-quality door, you can get rid of such noise as the barking of a neighbor’s dog, children’s screams from the playground, constant yelling and swearing in the entrance, etc. Impact noises are only partially muffled. Including the sound of a working drill, a constantly slamming driveway door, and the noise of furniture being dragged.
If your entrance is noisy, in addition to insulation, you need to lay several layers of specialized soundproofing material and line the inside with MDF boards, this will create reliable defense.
We want to install a beautiful metal door
Buyers of the best entrance doors to an apartment are interested in their attractiveness and finish. Some people prefer the presence of a mirror on the inside. Someone cares about covering the outside. There are several solutions here. The most popular of them is powder coating. It is durable, looks very good, and comes in several colors to choose from.
This coating will be resistant to fading and scratches. It is classified as anti-vandal.
Before choosing a steel entrance door to your apartment, evaluate the overall style of the apartment, because the decoration must match it. The same goes for the texture of the finish. The color is matched to the furniture in the hallway, interior doors, decoration, and accessories.
Another finishing method is MDF panels and laminated coating. It can fade after a few years, MDF is afraid of moisture, laminate is more durable. The plastic coating is cheap, not resistant to wear or light, but is not afraid of moisture.
Coverings made of natural or artificial leather are less popular; they are often installed from the inside. The artificial material does not last long, but it looks good and is moisture resistant. PVC film allows you to imitate any surface, is easy to apply, does not last long, and is resistant to moisture.
Before choosing entrance doors to your apartment, you need to study the manufacturers' market. It is not necessary to choose “the best of the best,” but it is logical to pay attention to the Top manufacturers, because they have more opportunities for discounts, they have extensive experience and well-functioning service, a long warranty, and often free or inexpensive installation. The rating of manufacturers of entrance doors to the apartment looks like this:
It produces standard, reinforced and temporary doors installed during the construction and finishing of a house. The company has been around for almost 20 years; in addition to doors, they also produce locks. You can choose metal entrance doors for an apartment at a price starting from 7,700 rubles.
Reducing prices to this level is possible thanks to improved capacity and a reduction in manual labor.
The company has a serious quality service that checks products at every stage of assembly.
Heat and sound insulation options
In an apartment building, you can only dream of silence, and most often the most vulnerable place from the point of view of the penetration of extraneous sounds is the front door. There are two types of noise: shock (neighbors drilling, stomping feet, rumble of moving furniture) or airborne (barking, crying, music - everything that travels through the air). If the door has enhanced sound insulation, it will reduce impact noise and minimize sounds traveling through the air. The following design solutions help achieve this:
- increased thickness of the door leaf: 70-80 mm is quite enough both for the strength of the structure and for filling it with multi-layer insulation,
- filling the canvas, box with several layers of materials of different thicknesses,
- sealing contours (magnetic, rubber) and high-quality installation.
Let's take a closer look at the types of fillers. They can be used in input blocks in several layers, each of which takes part of the sound onto itself, and transfers part to the next layer.
Foamed polyurethane
Due to 85% inert gas and only 15% solids in the composition, it provides noise reduction. Durable, deformation-resistant material will last up to 50 years in the absence of contact with sunlight.
Mineral plate
The material with a fibrous structure and high density attracts with its affordable price and durability. To enhance sound insulation properties, slabs with a density of at least 70 kg/m3 are used.
Foam concrete
It has a porous structure, due to which it resists heat transfer and gives the door leaf additional strength.
Foil isolon
The material can be used at temperatures from -60 to +100 degrees, absorbs moisture and maintains vapor permeability.
The company is developing, has been operating for more than 25 years, and positions itself as No. 1 in the Russian market. Has many awards, including international, registered patents and quality certificates. It has released a series of fire doors, products with increased thermal insulation for installation in private households. The average price for Torex products is 17,000 rubles.
The company has its own Customer Support Service. Production is fully automated. The company has a wide dealer network, and the installation of doors is carried out by specialists trained by the company and certified.
The best double leaf metal door
DZ-98 is designed for wide doorways. The weight is distributed approximately equally on both parts of the door leaf, so the load on the hinges is significantly reduced.
The design is strong, wear-resistant and durable. The fittings include two locks and a peephole with a 180-degree view.
Characteristics:
- type – front double doors;
- dimensions – 2000 by 800 mm;
- finishing (powder coating);
- equipped with top and bottom lock;
- number of loops (2);
- insulated with mineral wool;
- equipped with a peephole with a 180 degree view.
Pros:
- uniform load distribution;
- reliable protection against penetration;
- wear resistance, durability;
- stylish design and good finish;
- the structure is insulated;
- convenient equipment.
Minuses:
- Only suitable for large openings.
The company has been on the Russian market for more than 40 years, but it has devoted only about 30 to the production of steel doors. Before this, the plant produced consumer goods, spare parts for VCRs, safes, and, since 1991, lever locks. The plant has implemented a Japanese quality control system and an Italian line for the production of burglary-resistant doors, which operates with virtually no human intervention.
Wooden windowsInterior doors at Kashira Courtyard
- Metal entrance doors to the apartment
Production is aimed at producing products of 3-4 safety classes. The company has an extensive dealer network and independently produces the necessary door and fittings for installation. There are products from economy to premium and luxury class. For an average price model you will have to pay more than 27 thousand rubles.
The best metal door for technical rooms
2DP-1S are installed in buildings and public places and are made from high-quality and wear-resistant materials.
The door is designed taking into account the latest technologies, equipped with reliable burglary protection and fire resistance. Two types of seals are used. Stylish design and beautiful powder coated finish.
Characteristics:
- dimensions – 1400 by 1000 (2350 by 1750) mm;
- external finishing with powder-polymer coating;
- two contours of rubber seal, thermally expanding seal;
- design of the box (with or without a threshold, in the overhead or in the opening);
- equipping with fire-fighting mechanisms;
- fittings (crossbars, locks).
Pros:
- high technical safety;
- several design options;
- high-quality external finishing, beautiful design;
- reliable insulation;
- supply of fire safety system.
Minuses:
- quite heavy design;
- difficulties during transportation.
This group of companies has been operating for about 25 years. They produce cylinder locks, steel doors, decorative door linings, and necessary fittings. In 2001, the company passed product certification according to the ISO9001 quality system.
In 2009, they passed standardization in the Netherlands and a little later received the EN 1627–1630 quality certificate for burglary resistance, which is valid in many European countries. We received a CE certificate for the sale of doors to Europe for the Guardian-Europe model, establishing class 3 burglary resistance.
The company's products have won many awards. Before you install a metal entrance door from this manufacturer in your apartment, you need to know that the prices for their products are high. There is an extensive dealer network, so you can easily find Guardian in your city.
The best apartment metal door
The design of Akron 1 is reliable, wear-resistant, durable. The doors are made of metal sheet 65 mm thick and provide good sound insulation. In vulnerable places they are sealed with special contours.
Reliable protection is provided by fittings: hinges, locks, anti-removal pins. The door has a Guardian 10.11 main lock with a second class of burglary resistance.
Mineral wool is used as a filler; the material is environmentally friendly and safe for health.
Characteristics:
- canvas thickness – 65 mm;
- filler – mineral wool;
- 2 sealing circuits;
- reinforcement of the canvas in unreliable places;
- accessories (locks, anti-removal pins, hinges).
Pros:
- burglary resistance;
- dense fabric provides excellent sound insulation;
- reliable fastening of accessories;
- strength and wear resistance;
- durability subject to operating rules;
- high sound insulation.
Minuses:
- difficult to transport.
How to choose the right entrance door to your apartment? With “Stal” this will not be a problem. The products are similar to the Elbor brand. 2mm steel is used in production. There are various design options. High level of service, large selection of models, average price tag. Judging by the reviews, there are defects in the models.
The manufacturer has been operating for more than 28 years. There is a 24/7 customer support service. They produce not only steel doors, but also locks and fittings. The company provides a guarantee of up to 10 years. They accept orders for production according to the sizes required by the customer.
Which door to a soundproofed apartment should you choose?
Choosing an entrance door is a serious task. The comfort of your stay depends on this. The following indicators should be taken into account:
- – heat preservation;
- – sound insulation;
- – protection from burglary;
- – quality of door finishing.
The best option for an apartment is if the sheet thickness is 2 mm. With greater thickness, the doors become heavy, making it difficult for a child or an elderly person to open them. If the thickness of the metal sheet is less than 1.5 mm, then the door is easy to break into. In each of the presented manufacturers you can find the best option, as far as financial capabilities allow.
In any case, the choice is yours and the rating of entrance door manufacturers, no matter what criteria it is compiled by, should not be considered as a direct recommendation for action; it only provides useful information and an overview of popular companies to make it easier for you to navigate the presented market diversity.
Other manufacturers
Among the most well-known manufacturers on the Russian market we can also highlight:
- Bastion-S, a company that produces sashes of six types of prices, working with only factory-rolled metal, 2-6 mm thick. Offers more than 500 models to order. Prices for doors for apartments start from 39,400 rubles. There are products with different types of coating, design, with thermal break, and increased sound insulation. In the catalog you can see products with artistic forging elements and glass inserts. The manufacturer guarantees 20 years of service.
- In recent years, companies from Poland Galant and Novak have become popular. Both manufacturers offer beautiful designs, average prices, and a reliable closing system. Galant uses armor plates to protect cylindrical floating head locks. The surface is painted under pressure, moisture-resistant, light-resistant, insulated with mineral wool. Installation from the street is allowed. Novak is a Polish company, but assembles in China, the cost starts from 12,000 rubles. The stiffening ribs are fastened on a machine; the hinges are not welded, but screwed, but there is a system for preventing removal from the hinges. The products are insulated as standard with mineral wool, and locks of class 3 burglary resistance are installed.
- Profmaster is an enterprise with 20 years of experience. Small but well-established production of doors to order. The Nord model is mass-produced. Operates in Moscow, Moscow region and neighboring regions. The manufacturer guarantees 3-day production of the model, fast delivery and installation by company employees, and gives a 10-year warranty. The company's line includes many models of different prices, including armored, frost-resistant, sound-insulated, forged, double-leaf, etc. Prices from 16 thousand rubles.
- "Granite Doors" - The St. Petersburg company has been producing average-priced doors for more than 10 years. Prices from 15,500 rubles. There are various design solutions. Steel types are more economy and standard class. There is warranty service and installation from an official representative of the manufacturer. Products are ready-made according to the catalog and to order.
- "Oplot" produces bimetallic doors with reliable locks. The prices are high, but the quality is not inferior. The production focuses on safety and tamper-evident protection. There is a serious support and warranty service. Prices from 18,000 rubles. The sashes are produced according to the client’s measurements or sold ready-made from a catalogue. Locks on models from Russian and Italian manufacturers. Finishing is done using various materials, including powder painting.
- Italian manufacturers Gardesa and Dierre. The first company is focused on individual orders, guaranteeing a long period of use, the second offers “smart doors”. The factory has been operating for more than 30 years and is recognizable in Italy. There is a large range of models, a variety of colors, and does not require a network connection. There is an emphasis on technology, and a battery-powered security system is included. If you need an inexpensive door to your apartment, which one should you choose? Dierre offers the most innovative developments. There are many models of the elite line, designer, “smart”, electronic. There is also a whole series of anti-burglary products, with thermal insulation and sound insulation.
- Condor - the company offers average category prices from 9,500 rubles. The insulation is mineral wool, the outer coating is varnish. There are models of various designs and colors, with mirrors on the inside and forging on the outside. Suitable for installation in private households. The plant successfully works with many construction companies, so many new residents can see its products in their apartments in new buildings.
The best metal door made in Belarus
Veldoors Chocolate design is available in two sizes. The door opens from both sides. Beautiful design and high-quality finishing using PVC. The simplicity of geometric shapes and dark chocolate color give the design elegance and special charm.
Characteristics:
- dimensions – 860 by 2060 (960 by 2050) mm;
- 2 sealing circuits;
- filler – ISOVER mineral wool;
- covering – structured MDF panel;
- accessories (2 hinges with bearings, 2 locks, night bolt, anti-removal pins).
Pros:
- Possibility of opening from the right and left sides;
- environmentally friendly insulation;
- external and internal finishing of MDF;
- compaction of vulnerable areas of the metal sheet;
- the main lock is protected by an armor plate;
- stylish design;
- quality headset.
Minuses:
- difficulty in care;
- accumulation of dust.
Fortus
A large manufacturing enterprise based in Moscow offers its customers an individual selection of custom-made components of interest.
The design of the products is assembled using a 3D model on a computer, approved by the customer for the presence of all the functions of interest and after selecting the proposed design, after which the model goes into production.
Also, the company has its own line of ready-made sets of entrance doors and guarantees high-quality assembly with subsequent long-term use, which is confirmed by a long warranty service.
A wide range of products allows customers to choose the product they are interested in in any design at an average price of 45,000 - 60,000 rubles.
The factory also specializes in the production of products for filling non-standard openings of any size, offering two- and three-leaf doors, as well as products with an arched configuration. The cost of such products ranges from 150,000 to 200,000 rubles.
pros
- Good quality fabric, fittings and locks
- Quality consultation
- Soundproofing
Minuses
- High price
- High production and delivery times
- Human Factors Problems
The disadvantages of Fortus doors include reduced sound insulation characteristics and the incompetence of staff advising clients before purchasing.
Criterias of choice
When choosing an entrance door, the buyer should pay attention first of all to the following aspects:
- Anti-vandal properties of the door. If “muty types” or homeless animals rub in the house, then the surface of the doors may be scratched or torn by other people’s claws. With additional protection, this problem can be avoided.
- Coverage quality. Powder paint and/or decorative panels can provide a beautiful aesthetic appearance.
- Noise insulation. This is a delicate question, because... The thickness of the front door and the material of the walls that separate you from the corridor or street play a role here. If you can hear everything through the walls, then a soundproof door won't help much.
- Quality certificate - must be present.
- Thermal insulation - achieved through a system of seals and door fillers. The manufacturer must fill the internal cavities of the metal profiles with insulation, otherwise the door will not provide high thermal insulation performance. To check this, just tap the surface with a metal object: a dull sound indicates that the insulation is done well.