Choosing a metal entrance door to an apartment or house

Choosing an entrance door to an apartment turns into a real headache for the buyer - the market is oversaturated with products that take into account any needs: price, design, reliability, sound and heat insulation. How, under these conditions, can one balance the consumer properties of a door so that it is beautiful, affordable for the family budget and, at the same time, reliably protects the home from “uninvited guests” and is easy to use? Only specialists know this.

Let's fill the gap in the knowledge of the average consumer and consider which entrance door is best installed in an apartment.

No. 1. Design features of a metal door

The strength and reliability of a door depends to one degree or another on the characteristics of each of its constituent elements:

the door leaf is the main and largest part of the structure, consisting of a frame, internal and external cladding, as well as stiffeners and insulation;
door frame;
lock;
loops;
seal in one or more circuits;
peephole, handle and other accessories.

The door leaf is made of sheet steel , which is obtained as a result of hot or cold rolling, on which the properties of the door largely depend:

Hot rolled steel has a dark color, but it is not visible under the decorative coating. This is a relatively cheap material that is more susceptible to corrosion;
Cold-rolled steel will cost more, but in terms of performance it is the best option - the material is not afraid of any weather influences.

The strength is also greatly influenced by the frame. The most reliable door will be one in which the frame is made of a profile pipe with one seam . A less durable frame is made from four sections of hot-rolled profile pipe welded together. The most unreliable will be a frame in which each of the four segments is welded from two corners of equal length. Simply put, the fewer welds in the frame, the better , because each of them reduces the resistance to mechanical loads. The outer part of the door leaf must be made only from a monolithic non-welded sheet , otherwise a blow with a medium-force sledgehammer will damage the integrity of the structure.

Door leaf (material)

The material of the blade is sheet steel. It differs in rolling methods:

Hot. The color of the material is dark. It is not noticeable under decorative trim. Its price tag is quite low. And this option is not resistant to corrosion.
Cold. The cost is higher. But the performance is better. This option is resistant to any atmospheric influences.

If you want to choose good quality doors, examine their frame. It also affects the overall strength of the product. I recommend taking the single-seam option from a profile pipe. This is the best solution in terms of reliability.

A less durable version of the door according to this criterion has four strips of profile pipes welded to each other. Moreover, these are products obtained by hot rolling.

For your information
The weakest option is the one in which all four strips are welded from two corners identical in length.

In general, the stronger the frame, the fewer seams it has.

Only a single, unwelded sheet should be used to make the outer side of the sheet. Otherwise, even a not very strong blow with a hammer will damage the solidity of the structure.

No. 2. Entry door steel thickness

The most important aspect that needs to be clarified when choosing a door is the thickness of the steel sheet. This parameter can range from 0.8 to 5.0 mm : the higher it is, the more reliable and durable the door will be. Along with the increase in safety, the price and weight increase, which is also important to take into account.

The scope of use of doors with different thicknesses of steel sheet is significantly different:

doors made of steel with a thickness of 0.8-1.0 mm are suitable for arranging outbuildings in which nothing valuable is stored;
doors made of steel 1.0-2.0 mm are a normal option for an office space located in a well-protected business center;
a sheet of steel 2.0-3.0 mm is considered the standard for the entrance door leading from the entrance to the apartment. Steel of this thickness is used by most domestic and foreign manufacturers;
doors made of steel with a thickness of 4.0 mm or more are suitable for installation in country houses and mansions.

Some manufacturers use steel sheet only on the outside, insisting that this is enough to create a durable structure and making the internal panel, for example, from MDF. To be completely confident in your own safety, it is better to choose a door with two steel sheets. On sale you can find options that are reinforced with another additional sheet of steel located between the main outer and inner ones - this is the ideal of strength. Such doors cost much more than their simpler counterparts, weigh more and will not be useful in all cases.

When choosing a metal door, it is recommended to pay special attention to the lock area , since during a break-in it often takes the majority of the load. It would be great if this place is covered with a reinforcing sheet of steel or even an armor plate - this is a huge plus in terms of reliability, even if the door is made of not very thick sheets of steel.

What should a steel door be like?

When considering which front door is best to choose, homeowners first of all pay attention to the design. But the requirements for this design are not limited to an attractive appearance. Buying it means gaining protection from the outside world: cold, noise, those who like to make money at someone else’s expense. In addition, the front door should be simple and easy to use, durable, and most importantly, reliable - no one would like to call the Ministry of Emergency Situations or a locksmith because of a broken lock.

Despite its apparent simplicity, the door is, in fact, a complex structure, each element of which must be balanced and organically selected.

The purpose of this article is to help the reader figure out how to choose an entrance door from the entire existing variety of products offered and not make mistakes.

No. 3. Number of stiffeners

Between the outer steel sheet and the inner panel, no matter what it is made of, there must be stiffening ribs that are necessary to achieve maximum strength and resistance to mechanical stress. Stiffening ribs can be located vertically, horizontally or diagonally : it is important that they are located evenly throughout the entire structure, which determines its burglar-resistant qualities.

The minimum set of stiffeners is two vertical and one horizontal . It is better if there are more of them, but without going overboard, because they significantly increase the weight of the entire structure.

Stiffeners can be produced:

made from an ordinary corner and a rectangular pipe - this is a classic and very reliable option, the main disadvantage of which is its high weight;
from rolled products with a complex profile. It has much less weight, but due to its complex profile it is difficult to bend, so its strength is high.

No. 4. Thermal insulation and sound insulation of a metal door

Metal is not the best insulator from cold and extraneous sounds, so earlier, when metal doors had just begun to appear en masse in the domestic space, it was common practice to install two doors at once: one metal to protect against unauthorized access, the second wooden to retain heat in apartment. Today the situation has changed significantly: although a metal door has cold bridges (this is a frame and stiffeners), it can become an independent protection against drafts, odors and cold.

High heat and sound insulation characteristics are achieved through the following elements:

sealing system around the door perimeter eliminates drafts and odors, promotes a tighter fit of the canvas to the frame and quiet closing of the door.

Manufacturers today offer doors with two or even three sealing contours, but this is nothing more than a marketing ploy. If a high-quality and correctly installed rubber seal is used, then one contour will be enough . The rubber seal behaves best - it is reliable, durable, and resistant to various types of influences. Silicone and polyurethane seals performed somewhat worse, while foam rubber and plastic do not stand up to criticism. There are also magnetic sealing strips, but doors with them will be difficult for children and the elderly to open;
the voids inside the door leaf are filled insulation (mineral wool, polystyrene foam, etc.), which not only allows you to retain heat in the apartment, but also prevents the “drum effect”;
decorative panels , which are usually installed on the inside of the door and sometimes on the outside, are able to dampen sound vibrations and play the role of an additional heat insulator;
correct installation , because if the installation seam is too large or poorly filled, then there can be no question of any heat or sound insulation, even if a high-quality metal entrance door is chosen.

Thermal insulation material is inserted between the frame and the stiffeners, filling the entire space between the outer and inner sheets. Most often in the production of steel doors the following insulation materials are used:

mineral wool - the most common option.

The material has excellent sound-proofing and noise-absorbing properties, retains heat, does not burn and does not emit harmful substances, however, mineral wool is prone to subsidence, so it may require additional lathing;
polyurethane foam has excellent heat and sound insulation properties, is durable, resistant to changes in temperature and humidity, but is highly flammable and costs more than mineral wool;
polystyrene foam is one of the cheapest options.

The material retains sounds and heat well, but is easily flammable, and the gaps between the foam and the stiffeners will need to be filled with polyurethane foam;
penoplex is in many ways reminiscent of mineral wool, but is slightly inferior to it in fire resistance;
foam rubber and synthetic winterizer are used infrequently, since to achieve more or less acceptable insulating qualities a layer of 10 cm is required;
paper and pressed cardboard are good insulators, characterized by low cost and light weight, but are inferior in moisture resistance to other materials.

It is important that the manufacturer also fills the internal cavities of the metal profiles with insulation, otherwise there is no need to talk about high thermal insulation qualities. It is not difficult to check this - just tap the surface with a metal object: a dull sound indicates that the insulation is of high quality.

StroyGuru Editor's Choice

When it comes to the question of how to choose the right doors for your apartment, an interesting situation has arisen: the employees have them from different manufacturers, including little-known ones, for example. No one has any complaints. Therefore, the editors decided to make their choice based on reviews on the forums.

The best door from the economy segment. In the budget segment of metal entrance doors, a dual power has developed:

professionals believe that this is a product;
consumers - the Neman door.

“Stal” doors have an interesting finish, well-established service, a wide range and, of course, an affordable price for people with low incomes. Neman has the best combination of price and quality in Russia with a large selection of models.

The highest quality door from the expensive segment. According to consumer reviews, the best premium door is the Monolith model (Guardian DS-4) from the Guardian holding. It has a great design, confirmed by excellent technical performance. But a normal (meaning not super-rich) person will not buy it. “Monolith” costs like an airplane wing – several thousand dollars.

Important: all ratings and lists are based on consumer reviews. The sequence is drawn up in any form. If some brands are not on the list, this does not mean that their products are inferior in any respect.

No. 5. External and internal finishing of a metal door

The steel sheets of the door leaf need decoration. When choosing interior decoration, you should start only from personal preferences and the nuances of arranging the hallway. Exterior finishing must be resistant to changes in humidity, precipitation and sunlight if the door leads to the street, and withstand mechanical stress if you have pets. In the case where the door leads to a vestibule or entrance, there are no special requirements for its external decor.

The most popular finishing options:

powder coating involves applying special paints to the surface, which, when exposed to high temperatures, form an anti-vandal film.

There are many shades and types of coating, so there will be plenty to choose from. The main advantages include excellent performance, resistance to any weather conditions and low price of the coating. Doors that lead from the street into the room are recommended to be powder coated on both sides, without using wood or materials made from its fibers, so that changes in humidity and temperature do not force frequent repairs;
solid wood - the most expensive, environmentally friendly and beautiful way to finish a door leaf.

Using painting and carving, you can create a real work of art. In addition, the tree will serve as an additional heat insulator;
MDF panels, produced on the basis of wood chips, have a thickness of 7-20 mm, covered with paint, a film with a pattern or veneer, and a thin cut of valuable wood.

Such panels allow you to decorate the door in any way you like, they are not cheap, and the price range depending on the type of decorative coating is decent. Another advantage is good heat and sound insulation qualities;
vinyl leather – once the most popular material for decorative door decoration.

Can be of any color , imitates the structure of natural leather well, inexpensive, but not durable enough;
plastic panels are a budget option for door finishing, there is a wide choice, they are easy to care for, but their durability is low;
lamination with PVC film allows you to give the door any design, imitate leather or wood. The material is cheap, but short-lived, looks rustic;
Painting and varnishing can even be done independently, but the durability of such a finish is low, as is the price.

In principle, the possible finishing options for the door leaf are not limited to these materials. Recently, it has become popular to decorate the interior with a mirror: this expands the space and allows you to save space in the hallway if it is not large.

No. 6. Metal entrance door hinges

When it comes to choosing an entrance door, there are no details. The canvas can be three times reliable, and the lock can be cunning and complex, but without good hinges, the apartment will still be easy prey for a burglar.

Today the following types of hinges are installed on metal doors :

ordinary outdoor (overhead, open) hinges.

They are easy to cut, so modern doors are complemented with anti-removal bolts , which will not allow access to the home. When closing the doors, the crossbars fit into special holes made in the frame profiles, which ensures reliable fixation of the door leaf. Anti-lift hinges are the most popular;
hidden hinges (internal) doors are not visible from the outside, so it is impossible to cut them off.

Many call them even more aesthetic, but their main disadvantage is the likelihood of jamming , blocking the path home for the apartment owners.

As for the quantity , for a sheet weighing 70 kg (the most common option with a steel thickness of 3 mm) two loops are enough . If the door weighs more or is intended for active use with opening/closing more than 50 times a day, then it is better to install 3-4 hinges. For massive doors, hinges are selected with support bearings, which will greatly facilitate the process of opening the door and avoid squeaks.

A few words about comfort

Staying in a house or apartment will be enjoyable only if you choose the right metal entrance door and install it correctly. It should not make creaking or noise during operation. In addition to preventing penetration, the entrance system is a barrier to noise, unpleasant odors, and cold.

To do this, it must have the following characteristics:

have a sash thickness of at least 80 mm;
be lined with panels, their thickness is about 12 mm;
it is necessary to have one or two sealing circuits;
have good insulation material inside.

One of the best fillers for metal entrance doors is mineral wool. The material is completely non-flammable and does not release any toxic compounds into the air. At the same time, mineral wool perfectly absorbs noise and has high thermal insulation characteristics.

For the canvas to function well, it must be hung on high-quality hinges. They need to be adjusted twice a season and promptly cleaned and lubricated. Then the structure will last longer, will not creak, and the locking mechanisms will work properly.

If a metal entrance system is installed at the entrance or at the entrance to a non-residential premises, it should be equipped with a closer. It will ensure smooth closing of the door and the door will not slam.

No. 7. Features of choosing a lock for a metal door

The front door must be reliably protected not only from “rude” break-ins with an angle grinder, autogen or sledgehammer, but also from attempts at “intelligent” intrusion. Of course, if you are choosing a door for a country house, where you rarely visit, then the strength of the structure and the reliability of the lock should be given equal attention, but for an apartment in an apartment building, the cunning of the lock is even more important, because it is unlikely that the noise from forceful opening methods will go unnoticed by the neighbors. However, there is no lock that cannot be opened, especially by an experienced thief, so the task comes down to choosing a lock that will take as much time as possible to open : this will increase the chance that the attacker will be noticed by someone, or by himself will give up and leave, risking being caught red-handed.

installing two different types of locks to achieve the highest possible level of security , which will require more time and significantly higher qualifications from the thief.

Types of locks for entrance doors:

level locks are considered the most reliable, and the degree of this reliability is determined by the number of levers. There can be from one to ten, but truly good locks have from six levers. By the way, their number can be judged by the key, or more precisely by the steps on it: one must be subtracted from their number to get the desired value. With a large number of levers, it will not be so easy to open the lock with a simple master key. Also pay attention to the number of bolts and pins: the more, the better.

An excellent option is lever locks with a manganese insert . These are the most expensive, but also the most reliable products, which are distinguished by the presence of a special plate located between the lock body and the outer leaf of the door. A drill on a manganese insert will break repeatedly. Another good option is lever locks of a “crab” design , in which the crossbars extend to the sides, so it becomes more difficult for a thief to find the necessary cutting places, but such a lock must be installed correctly, otherwise it may jam;
cylinder lock , without going into details, is distinguished by an internal mechanism in the form of cylinders that are lined up at a certain height. It is difficult to open such a lock with a master key, but it is not difficult to knock it out with a good blow, so it is better to additionally protect the cylinder mechanism with armored attachments or special balls that prevent drilling. Suitable for entrance doors only in combination with a lever;
a deadbolt lock is not suitable for entrance doors to an apartment, it is not reliable enough and is easy to break into;
electronic locks open by code, card or fingerprint, have not yet taken root in our market.

This means that thieves will not be able to pick up a master key for it, but they can try “rough” hacking, so the canvas must be strong;
Combination locks combine several mechanisms at once - a good reliable option.

The ideal pair is level and cylinder locks , and they must be placed at a distance of 25-35 cm from each other. For your front door, you should choose only mortise locks, preferably 3 or 4 security classes, relying on products from reliable manufacturers. Remember that any lock can be opened, so if an apartment or house may attract “skilled” thieves, it is better to additionally install an alarm system.

Ensuring comfort for apartment residents

A high-quality door should protect owners not only from unwanted contacts, but also from discomfort caused by excessively loud sounds, temperature fluctuations, and drafts.

Good sound and heat insulation is provided by several layers of specialized materials: mineral wool, foil penofol, isolon, cork, felt for cars, polyurethane foam.
2-3 rows of seals along the perimeter of the canvas reliably cut off sounds, odors or temperature changes.

Internal decorative panels made of MDF or wood provide an additional layer of heat and sound insulation.

No. 8. Security classes of entrance doors

Like locks, entrance doors are divided into classes according to the level of safety and security:

first class - these are doors with a steel thickness of 1-1.5 mm and the simplest locks. They are easy to break into, so they are placed in vestibules, basement entrances, etc.;
second class - these are more secure doors, but they are also easy to open; they are not suitable for entering an apartment;
third class - these are structures with good locks that are difficult to open with a master key, and thick sheets of steel. An excellent choice for entrance doors to an apartment;
fourth class is an option for country houses. Thick steel is used here, several locks, one of which is “crab”, armored linings;
the fifth, sixth and seventh classes are doors for banks, offices where important documents are stored, etc.

Strength classes

When looking for an answer to the question of which entrance door is best to choose for your apartment, you should also know: these products are divided into three strength classes.

M3 – ordinary doors, suitable for sheds and utility rooms.
M2 – intended for offices, residential premises, administrative buildings.
M1 is the most durable design, providing enhanced protection. Models of this class are burglar-resistant and are considered the most reliable.

N p/p	Indicator name	Indicator values for strength classes
N p/p	Indicator name	Class M1	Class M2	Class M3
1.	Resistance of static load applied in the plane of the web, N, not less	7000	5000	3000
2.	Resistance to static load applied in the area of the free corner of the web, perpendicular to its plane, N, not less	2500	1500	1000
3.	Resistance to static load applied in the hinge area perpendicular to the plane of the web, N, not less	4000	3000	2000
4.	Resistance to dynamic load applied in the direction of opening the door leaf towards the stop, not less	mload – 40 kg drop – 1.0 m	mload – 40 kg drop – 0.7 m	mload – 40 kg drop – 0.5 m
5.	Resistance to impact load by a soft inelastic body (in both directions of opening the door leaf), not less	mload – 30 kg drop – 1.5 m	mload – 30 kg drop – 1.0 m	mload – 30 kg drop – 0.7 m
6.	Requirements for locks (burglary resistance class)	not lower than 3rd grade	not lower than 3rd grade	not lower than 3rd grade

No. 9. Entrance metal door size

The front door, ideally, should be made for a specific opening , and not the opening modified to fit a specific door. Responsible large companies offer their clients a comprehensive service, from measurement to installation, and during production they take into account the individual parameters of the doorway, but such pleasure will cost more than using a standard door.

It is advisable that the door width be more than 90 cm, otherwise large pieces of furniture will be difficult to bring into the room. The design can consist of one leaf, two, or be one and a half – if the opening is wide, then one leaf may not be enough.

According to the method of opening, doors can be right or left, external or internal. From a fire safety point of view, it is better when the door opens into the room, but this design makes it easier for thieves to gain access to the apartment, because they can squeeze out the door with a 5-ton jack.

Sealant and filler

The seals in the door are located along its perimeter. They block drafts and odors, allowing the canvas to fit more tightly to the box. They also allow the door to close quietly. If a product has 2-3 sealing contours, then this is part of the marketing policy. In practice, one high-quality rubber seal, installed correctly, is sufficient.

For your information
The analogue made of polyurethane or silicone has slightly worse insulation performance. I don’t recommend the foam or plastic versions at all. This is both weak insulation and strength.

You can choose magnetic strips, but then opening doors will become a problem for children and the elderly.

Fillers. They fill the voids in the canvas. They ensure heat retention in the room and eliminate the “drum action”

No. 10. Manufacturers of metal entrance doors

Only a high-quality door should protect your home. Trusting your home to products from dubious manufacturers means making your apartment vulnerable, and insignificant savings when buying a door can result in dire consequences. At the moment, the largest and most reputable manufacturers are:

Elbor is a domestic company founded in 1993. Today it is the largest enterprise in the sector in the country, has a developed dealer network, and provides warranty service. Entrance doors are presented in different price categories, security classes 3 and 4, a wide selection of decorative panels, fittings and components of our own production;
ProfMaster is a small trading and manufacturing enterprise, relative to other famous competitors on the list. The company has been operating since 1998 and is known to consumers thanks to the popular street doors of the “Nord” series. A special feature of the company is that it is aimed at individual production of doors to customer order. Here they can make almost any entrance door at the customer’s request, which is not what you should expect from large manufacturers who produce doors on an assembly line strictly in accordance with their model range. The company operates in the Moscow market, but some individual products are supplied directly to customers in neighboring regions by transport company.
Guardian is a large holding company operating since 1994. The structure includes several enterprises of different fields of activity, incl. JSC "Portal", specializing in the production of doors. The company has representative offices in all regions of the country and in the near abroad; doors are produced in standard and non-standard sizes, in dozens of different designs, weighing from 50 to 140 kg, protection classes 3 and 4. Locks and fittings of our own and European production;
Doors Granite does not offer the widest range of doors, but all of them have the highest burglary protection. Warranty – 10 years;
"Torex" is a wide range of doors of different prices, degrees of protection and design. Everyone can choose the right model; the warranty period depends on the specific model;
"Bastion" is a domestic company that, from the very beginning of its activities (1997), has set a course for the production of affordable doors. Today, the assortment includes designs with different thicknesses, locks and fittings from different manufacturers;
was the first to produce a bimetallic door, in which there is an additional sheet of metal between the two main sheets of metal. Mineral wool and polyurethane foam are used as insulation, locks are from the best manufacturers, the range includes almost a hundred different models. The prices are not the lowest, but the reliability is worth it;
Dierre is an Italian company known for its advanced developments in the field of door security. At the moment, the manufacturer is working on creating “smart” doors;
Gardes a is an Italian company with several representative offices in Russia. The quality and price are high, the manufacturer uses locks from the best Italian companies, which are developed for him on an individual order;
Galant and Novak are Polish companies that offer good doors at reasonable prices, but their domestic counterparts are not inferior in quality.

Why choose "Granite Doors"

One of the leading places in the ranking of Russian manufacturers of steel doors is occupied by Doors Granit LLC. The company has been successfully operating and continuously developing for more than 15 years. During this time, product output reached 80–120 units per day. Timely re-equipment, the use of modern technologies coupled with qualified personnel made it possible to achieve high quality products and gain an impeccable reputation. Doors Granit products confidently lead in the level of security against burglary and enjoy deserved popularity among the population.

Knowing how to choose the right entrance door, you can check the manufacturer’s products according to all recommended parameters yourself. When placing an order, use the calculator, which will help determine the cost of the door that matches the entered parameters.