When renovating an apartment, it becomes necessary to replace old doors with new ones. But, having significantly exceeded the planned budget by the end of the work, many are looking for a fairly economical option. Looking through various offers in the middle price segment, a logical question arises: what material is it more profitable to purchase products from? For example, PVC doors - what is it, how long do they last, is it too difficult to care for them? After all, today they are steadily holding one of the leading positions.
Description
PVC, or as it is also called polyvinyl chloride, is a polymer film that is used to cover the fabric to give an aesthetic appearance.
In addition to attractiveness, the material improves the technical and operational characteristics of the base. So, a little more about this. Standard PVC interior doors are a canvas on a frame, which is covered with a film on top. MDF or fiberboard sheets are fixed to the frame. And inside the structure is filled with cellular cardboard.
One of the main advantages of PVC is its moisture resistance. This is achieved by hot pressing the material.
Attention! It is worth noting that the entire film application process requires sterility. There should be no dust, sand or traces of grease on the canvas.
This method is often used in furniture making. For example, kitchen facades.
Features of production technology
PVC interior doors are a frame structure covered with a decorative film. In fact, this is a standard product, no different from its wooden counterparts. MDF or fiberboard sheets are attached to a frame made of bars. Inside the resulting voids there is cardboard with many honeycombs. The main feature of such doors is the external PVC coating .
protecting the base from moisture and mechanical damage. To ensure reliable adhesion of the film to the base, special equipment is used. Before production, PVC film is thoroughly cleaned and degreased. The door leaf together with the film is placed in a special chamber. After which the temperature in the chamber begins to increase, under the influence of which the PVC coating becomes soft, taking on any shape. The film is compressed due to the pressure created in the vacuum . due to which the polyvinyl chloride is qualitatively fixed to the product.
Advantages and disadvantages
PVC interior doors are the most popular type of doors. They are practical, attractive and are leaders in demand among buyers. PVC doors have many advantages.
PVC door models
- The appearance of doors made of polyvinyl chloride is little different from the material of valuable tree species. Only a professional can differentiate between them.
- Low cost doors.
- A variety of colors and models will help satisfy the design ambitions of any buyer.
- Easy to care for.
Advice. PVC interior doors do not require maintenance with chemicals.
- Non-toxic (before purchasing, check the certificate indicating the environmental friendliness of the material).
- Good heat and sound insulation.
- Strength.
- Safety.
- Moisture resistant.
- Non-flammability.
- Long service life.
There are significantly fewer disadvantages, or rather, there is only one. The low elasticity of PVC can lead to deformation as a result of exposure to physical force. Scratches and abrasions are visible on the glossy surface.
Home care
By purchasing a high-quality PVC door, you will not only receive a beautiful accessory for decorating your interior, but will make it easier for yourself to care for it. The fact is that polymer-coated structures are among the most unpretentious in maintenance. It is enough to learn a few rules so that the door does not lose its original luster for a long time:
A door installed in the kitchen near a stove or cutting table will have to be wiped more often, especially in the areas of milling and joints. It is better to remove accumulated fat and soot with a hard brush or rubber spatula;
To remove greasy deposits from the entire surface, use gel-like compounds, including dishwashing detergent. Do not rub PVC with powders. The grains will leave microcracks on the surface. Over time, the coating will fade and become covered with many chaotic lines in the form of small indelible cobwebs;
Home remedies suitable for caring for PVC: laundry soap, baking soda, bleach (a slightly concentrated solution), vinegar, ammonia, melamine sponge;
A ten percent ammonia solution will make a tarnished surface sparkle again, but to avoid harm, do not use the product frequently;
PVC coating is not subject to major repairs. It will not be possible to completely remove it and then stick on new material. Minor defects can be eliminated at home with a special paste. The substance erases scratches, chips, and other mechanical damage. Very minor flaws can be easily hidden with a clerical proofreader;
You can make the surface shiny using special polishes. The instructions will tell you which one is suitable for PVC.
Sliding door with PVC trim
How not to care for a film door:
Even with very severe contamination, do not try to correct the situation with abrasive detergents or granular compounds;
Choose coating degreasing products and solvents with caution. The reaction to aggressive chemicals can vary, including discoloration.
Specifications
The purchase of a PVC interior door is protected at the legislative level. This means that for a low-quality product, you have the right to demand a refund of the money spent. They have the following types of technical characteristics:
When choosing a door, ask the seller for a quality certificate
- tensile strength;
- softening threshold;
- resistance to very high temperatures for a long period of time;
- change in shape as a result of heating;
- shock resistance at low temperatures;
- departure from white color as a result of exposure to UV rays;
- welding strength coefficient;
- stability of film-base connections;
- duration of use;
- resistance to low temperatures;
- resistance to chemicals.
Attention! This standard describes the types of doors and their technical characteristics.
What do customer reviews say?
Judging by the reviews of those who have purchased such products, it can be understood that they are most popular among buyers with a not very high level of income who do not have the opportunity or desire to purchase more expensive doors. But among those available for sale, you can always choose your best option - high-quality, durable and affordable.
PVC-coated interior doors are perfect for middle-income people. They are especially good for bathrooms or other rooms with fairly high humidity. The variety of product designs and a large color palette will help you find exactly your option. If you have difficulties choosing the surface texture of the material, you can always look at the photo first to see which one looks like.
Typology of PVC doors according to GOST
In accordance with the standard, doors are divided as follows:
By purpose - external or internal. The latter, in turn, are divided into interior, entrance or plumbing units.
Depending on the internal filling of the door frame:
- glazed - a PVC door in which a double-glazed window or ordinary glass is installed;
- blind - door of opaque modification. It can be light or decorative.
Depending on the design :
- with one or more canvases;
- with a fixed or opening sash;
- with or without a threshold;
- with or without box.
Depending on the type of PVC profile .
Doors with glass inserts
Design options
One of the advantages of PVC-coated doors is their appearance. Modern technologies allow us to annually expand the range of available colors. What could such products be?
PVC-coated doors can be of any style, including glass decorative inserts that look impressive
The door covering can be plain in neutral colors or striking in its brightness and richness. A very popular option is imitation of wood structure. Of course, it is very easy to notice the artificiality of the design, but such doors still look very attractive.
Glass inserts, volumetric elements, curves and panels can be used as additional decor. Thanks to the application technology, such a coating fits tightly to every millimeter of the canvas area, regardless of its shape and texture. If we summarize all this, the conclusion suggests itself - PVC-coated doors are an excellent budget option for home interiors in any style.
PVC door to the balcony
Plastic door with glass insert on top
PVC door is solid
Plastic door without glass inserts
Entrance plastic double door
Entrance or office door made of PVC
Main characteristics of using a plastic door
Before purchasing a door, you need to pay attention to its characteristics. These include:
- The thickness of the insulation is in the range of 0.8-1.2 m²xC/W.
- Air permeability up to 3.5 m³/(h x m2).
- Sound insulation of at least 26 dBA.
- The operation of PVC doors is at least 40 years, for a model with double-glazed windows - at least 20 years, and for sealing material - at least 10 years. The number of openings and closings of a door can be at least half a million times.
Door strength groups
In total, there are three strength groups: A, B and C. The first group is considered the most durable, from the point of view of GOST.
Deviations that should be considered defective:
- The difference between the completed product and what is stated in the project should not exceed 0.2 cm or be less than 0.1 cm. Likewise, diagonally, the difference should not be more than 0.2 cm for a canvas of 1.5 sq.m and 0.3 cm for large doors.
- Scratches and various deformations that are visible to the naked eye.
- Problems with opening and closing the door (force required).
- Deviations from technical specifications.
- Deviations from the requirements specified by GOST during installation.
The main advantage of PVC doors is their appearance. A variety of shades will help you easily choose the right option. An addition to the design can be the use of glass and various elements. The technology of gluing the film onto the canvas ensures its complete adhesion.
Can it be installed in a bathroom or other wet areas?
Yes, PVC-coated doors are the first candidates for use in rooms with “walking” humidity.
Door with PVC film installed in the bathroom
You should focus on one point. We have already said earlier that the upper and lower ends of the canvases go on sale untreated. In these places, the internal structural elements are open, freely in contact with the atmosphere, and therefore become conductors of dust and moisture. Before installation, try to cover these surfaces - coat them with primer, varnish, or paint.
The same should be done with the places where hinges and handles will be installed. Of course, the recommendation applies to doors purchased without fittings.
Doors with PVC finishing for bathrooms and toilets 137 series
Choosing a door: what to look for?
- Dimensions. For a door opening of 80 to 90 cm, a standard single-leaf door is suitable. A sliding or swing double-leaf door is installed for openings with a width of 1.1 m. Selecting a door of a non-standard size or making it to order is not difficult.
Choose a door according to the style of your interior
- Budget. Initially, you need to decide how much you are expecting. It is advisable to purchase all interior doors at the same time. This will protect you from the risk of not being able to purchase an existing model for other rooms due to the product being discontinued or out of stock.
- "All inclusive". When buying doors, remember that the door is usually sold complete with frame, threshold, trim and trim.
- Certificate of quality. The presence of a certificate is a guarantor of product quality. All self-respecting manufacturers carry out mandatory product certification.
- Don't hesitate to ask the seller questions.
PVC interior doors are a good inexpensive option for interior decoration and home decoration in any style. Non-flammability, environmental friendliness, price component and variety of colors are the main advantages of the design. The presence of a certificate is a guarantee of quality.
Accessories
Plastic doors are supplied with the following set of elements:
- multi-point and 1-point locks;
- door handles;
- loops;
- seals;
- larvae;
- push set;
- closers;
- mechanisms for sliding panels.
The fittings are supplied with the door block. When purchasing elements separately, you must keep in mind that it must match in color and style.
Locking mechanisms are selected depending on the purpose. To protect residential premises from burglary, complex locks are installed. Even electromagnetic devices are suitable for the plastic entrance door for a home.
Do not forget that when choosing accessories you need to pay attention to the quality of the elements, because... they bear mechanical and dynamic loads.
Loops are selected taking into account the following factors:
- hinges up to 90 mm wide are installed on narrow structures, and up to 110 mm on wide ones;
- the maximum load for a narrow door is 80 kg, for a wide door - 160 kg.
- according to mounting option.
On the market of door designs, the choice of hinges in design and color is varied.
Plastic doors with properly selected door components are the key to long service life and structural reliability.
When choosing a suitable fabric, it is better to opt for models with fittings from the best manufacturers and not try to beat the price by using cheaper elements.
