Entrance doors to private residential buildings, apartments or office spaces, as a rule. They are made in an armored version, which protects the owner of the premises from unauthorized entry.
At the same time, in cottage villages, if there is a guarded perimeter, as well as in reliably protected apartment buildings with a high-quality video surveillance system and restriction of access to strangers, the need to install anti-burglary doors completely disappears.
In such situations, premises owners often install plastic entrance doors that provide coziness and comfort during the operation of the premises.
How to choose high-quality plastic doors?
Pay attention to well-known brands (Veka, KBE and others). Their products are of higher quality, have a long warranty and many reviews on the Internet.
Companies care about their reputation and if the product is dissatisfied or defective, they calmly replace it. Often, along with the door, installation and maintenance and periodic adjustment of the doors are included.
Profile. Choose a four-chamber or five-chamber profile for the front door and balcony. The higher the number, the better the sound insulation will be. Plastic doors for a private house must contain at least five cameras. For interiors, any option is suitable, but remember that the number of cameras also affects sound insulation.
The fittings must be of high quality. By saving, you will only get paint that quickly falls off, squeaking and eternal breakdowns.
Selection of plastic entrance doors
Due to their increasing popularity, plastic entrance doors are being manufactured by an increasing number of manufacturers, using various brands of profiles and fittings, developing the design and design of products. Therefore, making a choice can be quite difficult.
When choosing a plastic door, you should pay special attention to such important parameters as:
- Profile brand;
- The quality of the frame;
- Interior and exterior finishing;
- Reliability of installed locks and hinges;
- The build quality of the glass unit and the number of cameras;
- Tightness;
- Material used as insulation.
Let's take a closer look at these parameters.
Finishing
When finishing a plastic entrance door, lamination or painting is usually used.
When laminating, mainly wooden and stone materials are used. When choosing wood finishes, many designers recommend choosing the colors “mahogany” or “dark cherry”, which are suitable for almost any interior. When painting, you can choose any shade you like.
In any case, the decoration of the door should be thought out in advance, since after lamination or painting it will be very difficult to change it.
Frame design
The reliability of a plastic entrance door directly depends on the strength characteristics of the frame and the rigidity of the door frame. A steel frame must be installed inside the frame along its entire perimeter, the walls of which are much thicker than the walls of a similar frame installed in windows.
At the corners of the box, to increase rigidity, the frame is connected using special metal elements. It is also recommended to choose a five-chamber profile rather than a three-chamber one.
Profile
The sash itself should also have a five-chamber profile. Inside the door, frames can be of different structures and shapes.
The best would be a frame with transverse and longitudinal stiffeners. Its appearance resembles a grid of several horizontal and vertical square pipes.
Lock systems
Like any entrance door, a plastic one must also be equipped with locks that are locked along the entire perimeter, that is, when closing, the bolts must slide along each side of the door.
Loops
The closest attention should be paid to door hinges. The best option is hinges with anti-removal protection.
They are powerful enough to withstand the weight of the door along with double-glazed windows and even welded metal sheets.
Double-glazed window
When choosing an entrance door made of plastic with a double-glazed window installed, you should know that in all its characteristics it must be superior to analogues used in PVC windows
First of all, you should pay attention to the type of glass: it is recommended to choose triplex or armored
It is advisable to choose a door with a glazing area that does not exceed a third of the total area of the door leaf. Plastic entrance doors with large glass, although beautiful both in photos and in real life, are not very practical in our climatic conditions. It is better to install a double-glazed window in the upper part; accordingly, the bottom and middle of the structure will be deaf.
Choice of insulation
There is no special need to insulate a plastic entrance door, since it copes well with negative temperatures on its own. But with constant operation at temperatures below -15 °C, insulation will still be required. When manufacturing a door at a factory, insulation can be placed both in the frame itself and in the air chambers. In plastic doors, thermal insulation material is placed between the stiffening ribs, along the entire perimeter of the frame, or directly into individual air chambers.
Tightness
The tightness of the plastic entrance door is ensured by placing rubber seals in special grooves along the entire outer perimeter of the door leaf and the inner perimeter of the frame.
It would also be a good idea to equip the threshold with a rubber seal.
When choosing a plastic door as an entrance structure instead of doors made of other materials (wood, metal), it is necessary to take into account such an important factor as cost. The price of such doors can be an order of magnitude lower, but the quality and reliability are in no way inferior to similar structures made of wood or metal.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. Plastic products are preferred due to many advantages:
Advantages:
- Thermal insulation. In winter, it does not release heat from the room.
- Noise suppression. Suitable for people living next to a road or highway.
- High quality and reliable locks.
- Attractive appearance and it is possible to choose the appropriate texture and finish. You can see the plastic doors in the photo. There are no restrictions on color, it is possible to order doors according to your own design, print and the cost will not increase much.
- They do not require special handling or care.
- They tolerate cold, heat, and temperature changes well.
- They are not exposed to water and do not let it into the house. Which makes them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Low cost. Plastic is easier and cheaper to manufacture than, for example, wood. This allows you to save on the cost of the product without losing quality and pleasant appearance.
- They do not fade or change color in the sun.
- They have a rigid, dense, metal frame.
- Long service life, starting from 25 years.
- Safe. Hypoallergenic, made from safe materials.
- Many door models with glass inserts.
- Used as entrance, interior, office, and balcony doors. Also plastic doors
Flaws:
- Unable to withstand strong blows.
- Low level of fire safety. Plastic products ignite quickly and burn well.
- Subject to mechanical damage.
- Presentable, for most, plastic remains an element of the office, hospital, etc.
Successful models and options
As noted earlier, plastic doors are widely used in swimming pools and bathrooms. While high humidity is a death sentence for wood and metal, it has no effect on plastic. The maximum that can happen is the appearance of condensation, which can be easily removed with a dry cloth.
They are most often ordered for apartments by owners of a balcony block. This is a complete replacement of old wooden structures. Not only did they have to be insulated every year, but also every spring they had to remove the insulation and tear off the newspapers that were used to seal the cracks.
It is especially practical to use a full glass door in rooms with a French balcony. Not only the inside of the room is played out, but also the outside. For plastic structures, there are no difficulties in framing any architectural projects, even if these are arched options.
A plastic cabinet installed on the balcony for storing things or workpieces looks aesthetically pleasing. The door can open either like a wardrobe or in the usual swing way.
But it is best to install a folding plastic door in the kitchen. It easily separates the hallway or living room from the dining area. If necessary, it can be completely folded, and the passage will not be blocked. This door also looks harmonious in the dressing room.
It is unlikely that anyone would recommend such a door for a room, especially for a bedroom. In cases where the apartment is small, you can divide one of the rooms into two parts with a partition. Remember that by using frosted glass, you can achieve complete impermeability.
In the last years of the last century, it was popular to install two entrance doors. On the one hand, it was a certain protection against burglars, and on the other, it provided heat and sound insulation.
Before installing a metal-plastic door in the corridor, it is recommended to install a special box, popularly called a “pocket”. This is one of the solutions, and to some it may not seem entirely appropriate in city apartments, but to others, on the contrary, it will suit. By the way, the additionally formed “room” can be used for storing things.
But if in an apartment building you need to have a permit to carry out construction work, then in a private house this is not required. This is where you can ignore the size of the room and go all out.
First of all, I would like to note the fact that winter gardens on a personal plot are most often made of plastic. In them you can grow not only vegetables and herbs familiar to our table all year round, but also try to adapt exotic plants to our climate.
Along with winter gardens, gazebos for private areas are also popular. The plastic door to such a room can be locked with a key, which facilitates the use of this room in the summer, if necessary, as an open-air bedroom. But this, of course, is already a delight. Something similar is implemented as a ready-made solution for business. In many cities, entire markets are set up from the same type of kiosks.
Often a plastic door is ordered specifically for the entrance area. It can be made according to a special project, even with glass or mirror inserts, even triangular or rounded in shape. In this case, it makes no difference to the manufacturer, because this is not a stamping production. Any order is made according to individual sizes.
In conclusion, I would like to note that there is a certain minimum of technical characteristics that must be taken into account when choosing a plastic door:
- The metal-plastic profile must be three-chamber. And it is desirable that its thickness be around 100 mm.
- It is necessary that the canopies can withstand the weight of the canvas - at least 80 kg. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the door will begin to sag over time.
- Availability of conventional rack and pinion locks.
- To reduce weight, it is recommended to use single-chamber double-glazed windows, but this reduces sound insulation.
To summarize, we can come to the conclusion that the plastic door has found application in both residential and non-residential premises. She is not afraid of moisture, pests, or temperature changes. It practically does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
In recent years, close attention has been paid to the safety of the product; it is considered hypoallergenic. But the main thing is that the plastic door is available to both rich and less wealthy customers
By following these recommendations, you can extend the performance of the product for tens, and perhaps hundreds of years. Moreover, profile manufacturers also provide a long warranty on their products.
In this video you will find professional advice on choosing a plastic door.
Recommendations for increasing service life
Use only light detergents; options for washing acrylic bathtubs, dishes and the like work well.
Pay attention to how tightly the door is pressed against the frame. The stronger it is, the longer it will last.
Plastic doors need adjustment.
Design of plastic windows - what is the budget?
And yet the most important trend in window design is individuality. Each window can and should be unique. You can decorate a window and make it special on any budget, for example:
- Economy design - fashionable Roto Swing handle in a contrasting color on a white window (+500 rubles to the cost of a regular window). Place handles of different colors in different rooms and you will have different windows!
- Standard design – fashionable lamination on one side + fashionable handle + hidden hinges (+ 35% to the cost of a regular window). This is an option for apartments whose owners value not only tightness in windows, but also beauty.
- Premium design – panoramic glazing with double-sided lamination + stylish handles + sliding opening (from RUB 50,000/sq.m.). Premium glazing significantly increases the selling price of a property and is a good investment.
Fashionable windows keep up with trends in all areas of interior design. Having installed a stylish window, you don’t need to cover it with tulle. It will become a real decoration of the interior and exterior of the house, from which it is impossible to take your eyes off.
*The article contains contextual and visual advertising
Input
Previously, plastic was used only for the manufacture of balcony and interior doors, but technology does not stand still and it was possible to create durable, reliable structures.
Plastic entrance doors are rarely installed for apartments. Most often used for office premises, hospitals, schools, shopping centers, etc.
Plastic doors are superior to wooden doors in that:
- They do not require constant painting or re-varnishing and can maintain a fresh and presentable appearance for more than twenty years. At the same time, they are able to imitate the appearance, color, and texture of real wood.
- They have a much lower cost, which, given the ability to look like wood, makes them a more profitable purchase.
- A large selection of shapes - square, rectangular, arched and others.
- Better retain heat in the house.
- Do not change from excessive exposure to moisture. Suitable for areas with high humidity and rainy seasons.
- They do not require special care.
- Works well with alarm systems.
One of the disadvantages is that such doors are still less resistant to burglary than metal or wooden ones. Doors are also subject to severe deformation near an open flame.
PVC entrance doors with glass
Fiberglass structures are characterized by their functionality and ease of use. Plastic entrance doors have virtually no disadvantages. The only negative is the high cost of installation work. But sometimes it’s better to overpay in order to get a high-quality door design as a result.
The advantages of PVC doors with glass include:
Advantages of plastic doors with glazing.
Versatility and functionality. Thanks to these qualities, a plastic entrance door with glass will last for quite a long time. Possibility of installing various auxiliary mechanisms. This should include alarms and other options that allow you to protect your home from intruders. In the door manufacturing process, only high-quality and technically equipped materials are used. High rates of thermal insulation and sound insulation. Wide range of products. Anyone can buy a PVC entrance door with glass, which will differ in design solutions and functional criteria
Thus, each buyer can focus on the product that will successfully fit into the interior of the house and at the same time perform all the assigned functions.
The process of adjusting the plastic entrance door is described in detail in this information.
Types of glazing
For the manufacture of glass PVC structures, certain types of filler are used. All of them are distinguished by their low specific gravity. The most commonly used types of glazing are:
- Embossed. Thanks to him, it is possible to obtain various relief patterns. You can also familiarize yourself with the options for finishing door slopes after installing the front door using this link.
- Triplex. A special feature of this option is the presence of several layers in the glass. They are attached to each other using a protective film.
- Frosted glass. This material is characterized by a translucent shade that looks great with a plastic door.
- Mirror glass. Thanks to him, it is possible to protect the house from surveillance from the outside. At the same time, the glass looks transparent from the inside, so there are no obstacles to the view from the outside. You are also interested to know about the dimensions of metal entrance doors with a frame.
Also, when choosing a PVC entrance door with glass, you need to pay attention to the types of functional fillers. This should include:
- Regular double glazing. It involves the presence of two glasses, which are connected to each other by a plastic structure.
- Sandwich panel. This is a two-chamber model, which includes three glasses connected to each other, as well as glass.
- Triplex. These two glasses are connected to each other using a polymer material that creates a separate layer.
When choosing a door design, it is necessary to take into account that there are the following types of decorative fillers:
- With spross. Shprosses have the form of gratings, which have a supporting and protective function. They can also serve a decorative role. When decorating, they are used as plastic strips, with the help of which a pattern is created on the entrance door structure. For the supporting function, they provide a solid foundation for the future product, using spigots made of aluminum or plastic. It is possible that you may need information about platbands on wooden doors, which you can read about here.
- Decorative double-glazed windows can have several types of glass: creset - has a relief surface, satin - has a matte structure.
Interior doors
Interior plastic doors are characterized by all possible sizes, shapes, inserts made of glass and other materials. Due to the variety of colors and the ability to imitate any texture, the material Interior doors made of plastic has become widespread.
Their popularity is influenced by their easy care. It is enough to wipe the plastic with a damp cloth for light stains. For severe cases, liquid soap or dish soap will suffice. They do not require constant painting or varnish.
They have excellent noise-canceling properties. If you have children or are planning to, then plastic doors will help provide them with a comfortable sleep.
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Design features
A good reliable plastic design that can last a decade is:
- frame - aka a box, which must be sufficiently rigid, have a rubber seal that will provide sound insulation with thermal insulation, and on which reliability, service life, and general appearance primarily depend;
- door leaf - usually consists of a layer of plastic and a layer of metal, often supplemented with double-glazed windows, which gives it a more elegant look and insulation, which increases thermal insulation;
- accessories - handles, hinges, which ensure overall reliability;
- the threshold is usually high, with a seal, which also increases reliability.
It’s worth buying a plastic door if you have a style that matches it
The materials for plastic doors are standard - galvanized steel, which strengthens the leaf along with the frame, as well as PVC, which forms the basis of the structure.
Advice There are designs without metal reinforcement, but they are not suitable for the role of input. It is better to place them at the exit to the courtyard or even between rooms.
Accordingly, there is no point in giving the materials a thorough analysis. But some design features can radically affect how it will look and how convenient it will be to use.
Materials for plastic doors are standard
Opening method
Of course, interior structures have many more ways of opening - here there is an accordion and a pendulum. But the inputs are also different.
The first ones are swing ones. These are standard doors that open away from you or towards you by turning them on hinges. They have advantages:
- reliability - it is difficult to break the hinges, unless a child tries to swing on them or someone tries to purposefully break them;
- traditional appearance - this is the design that is found in most homes, fits into most styles, and does not surprise anyone;
- no difficulties with searching - such a design can be bought in any store.
But there are also disadvantages:
- simplicity - if you prefer original solutions, the swing design will disappoint you, since everyone has the same ones;
- space taken up - of course, in the case of the entrance to the house, this is not so important, but if you want to make a narrow path, lay out flower beds, turn the front yard into a lush garden, the constantly opening and closing shutter can get in the way.
Has a place to occupy
The second ones are sliding. In our latitudes they are rare, but they are traditional for the Japanese style. The principle of operation is simple - the doors slide apart along the wall in different directions, and then slide behind the person who enters. The advantages are as follows:
- originality - if you love Japan (and Asian countries in general), a sliding front door can change the appearance of your home and bring it closer in style to the countries of your dreams;
- lack of space taken up - doors that roll along the wall allow you to free up space for something else - at least for a flower bed.
Beautiful product design
But there is also a minus:
- difficulty finding is the main disadvantage, since due to the low prevalence of sliding structures, you will have to look for a company that can sell, install, and provide them with a guarantee.
In fact, sliding structures are not inferior in reliability to swing ones.
Advice If originality is your priority, and the exterior decoration of the house allows it, install a sliding structure. If originality is not a priority, it will be easier and cheaper to buy and install a hinged one.
Wood effect product
Size
They usually have standard sizes:
- height - two meters one hundred centimeters is considered optimal, since even the tallest person can easily pass under a lintel of such a height;
- the width of a single door is about nine hundred centimeters;
- width one and a half - up to one and a half meters, according to the tastes of the owner;
- double width - up to two meters (although some can reach up to three).
The height depends on how high the ceilings are in the house
But knowing the standard size is not enough to be able to choose it for your specific home:
- The height depends on how high the ceilings are in the house. If they are about four meters, a standard door will look poor; you need at least two and a half meters. And if the ceilings are low - and the inhabitants are not very tall - you can take even less.
- A single design is worth taking if it fits well. If the house itself is small, if nothing large will pass through it, if the hallway is small and there is no room in it for two huge doors.
- One and a half is worth taking if the size of the house requires it. Its smaller side, as a rule, does not open in ordinary life, but if you need to carry something large, you can open it.
- It is worth taking a double door if the house is a huge pretentious cottage, in which a two-meter door will not look overly pretentious, but just right. In addition, it will be useful to you if you like to change the interior and often need to bring large-sized furniture into the house.
This design is worth taking if it fits well
Advice If you did not build a house from scratch, but bought it from someone, you can simply measure the size of the existing opening to design it to your liking.
Kinds
By type of construction they are divided into:
- Foldable. They have the shortest service life.
- Sliding.
- Swinging open. The most popular models.
- Depending on the door leaf. Has many options. There are models entirely made of plastic, and some with various inserts.
Also divided into:
- Single leaf.
- Bivalve.
Advantages
After installing a plastic front door, every home owner will inevitably be able to note its positive qualities:
- Low flammability;
- Complete immunity to aggressive environments;
- High environmental friendliness of the material;
- Good thermal insulation qualities along with excellent protection from external noise;
- Aesthetic appearance;
- Resistance to damage;
- Low cost of manufacturing the structure;
- Ease of installation.
Balcony
The balcony door is an important part of the room and interior. Characterized by the lightest weight. A profile similar to a window profile is used. Keep in mind that the handles for opening and closing the door are located only on the side of the room.
Pros:
- long service life;
- many options for color, design, texture, etc.
- ease of use;
- look good with plastic windows;
- many opening and closing functions, there are modes for ventilation, windows and many others;
- increases the degree of natural sanctification;
- retains heat.
Minuses:
Opens only indoors. This will have to be taken into account when arranging furniture.
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Classification by opening type
Manufacturers of PVC products are able to supply interior fabrics of a wide variety of configurations and complete sets.
Plastic sliding doors are an ideal option for those apartments with limited space. In small apartments there is simply no space for freely opening a swing door. When installing a swing-type structure, secure a special rail.
Its location is not important. However, it is worth considering that the best option is to install the rails on both sides (top and bottom), since if the guide is fastened on one side, the doors can swing during a draft, making specific sounds. The only drawback of this design is the presence of a gap between the door leaf and the frame, as a result of which odors, sounds or light may enter the room.
Hinged doors are a classic option. This model is most popular among consumers because it is absolutely universal. Before purchasing a door leaf, you should consider which direction the doors will open. You need to take this issue seriously, since the selection of fittings and fasteners depends on this. It must be remembered that to open such a door model you need free space, which is not always possible to provide.
Pendulum doors are a leaf that opens in both directions. They are installed quite rarely in apartments. They can mainly be found in public places (supermarkets, train stations, etc.), where people are expected to have their hands full.
Folding doors have another name: “accordion”. A design feature of such doors is the presence of a certain number of leaves, which fold when the door is opened. The movement of the panels is carried out thanks to the mounted guide rail. In apartments with limited space, this door will be the only salvation and a way to divide the living space into separate rooms. However, it is worth considering that the sound and heat insulating properties of such doors are not of the best quality, and their service life depends on the reliability of the moving elements.
The number of door leaves can also be different, which allows us to distinguish several more subtypes of doors: single and double leaf. Moreover, each of the halves can also be divided into several parts, each of which has its own loops and even locks. Such door leaves are usually installed in utility rooms.
Usually PVC doors have a rectangular shape. However, you can also purchase an arched door that will last longer than a similar product made from other materials. This is due to the flexibility of the profile, which underlies the design.
The door leaf itself can be made entirely of PVC, or be partially glazed. Partial glazing looks much more comfortable in the interior. However, this is already a matter of taste preferences, so everyone decides for themselves what their future door will look like.
Balcony door with full glazing
pros
- A convenient solution that will suit any interior.
- It will visually increase the size of the room and give the effect of lightness.
- Transparent glass will transmit more light, which will save on lighting costs.
- Natural light is very beneficial for indoor plants.
Among the disadvantages it should be noted:
- Glass requires more care with special products than plastic.
- Review. In U-shaped houses, the neighbors living above you will have a wonderful view of the entire room.
- The balcony must be in perfect repair and order. It will not work to use it as a storage room for unnecessary things.
Measurements and installation
It is also important to take correct measurements of the doorway, taking into account all the nuances. It is better to entrust this event to professionals. Companies that are official representatives of PVC door manufacturing companies must have measurement specialists on their staff. After all, the final result depends on the accuracy of measurements.
Correct installation work will allow you to maintain the basic properties of the door leaf, namely heat and sound insulation. The convenience and durability of further operation of interior doors depends on the quality of the whole complex of preliminary and installation work. And don’t forget about the doors’ compliance with safety requirements, which is no less important than their aesthetic appeal.
Having familiarized yourself with the above material, you can safely go in search of the option of interior doors you need, having previously decided on the color palette and configuration. As for the price of finished products, doors of this type are quite affordable for the widest segments of the population.
Adjusting the door at home
How to adjust a plastic door if the warranty period has expired?
You can make the adjustment yourself at home. Simply repeat the sequence of steps in the order shown.
Preparation:
- Open the door.
- There will be special plugs on the hinges. Take them off. You may need a key.
Horizontal adjustment:
- A lower loop and an upper loop are used.
- Adjustable by turning the screw in one direction or the other.
Vertically:
- This is done by influencing the lower loop.
- Clockwise moves upward.
- In the opposite direction, the door goes down.