Second entrance door: material, installation and operation

The second entrance (internal) door to the apartment, features of the device, installation and operation.

Photo: Second entrance door. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

Why do you need a second entrance door and what material to choose from? How to install a second door and features of repair, as well as operation of the structure.

The front door in an apartment is the first and most effective way to protect your own home. Such structures can be made of various materials and their main task is to ensure maximum safety. An equally important element of entrance doors is the second leaf, which provides insulation from cold, dust and dirt. Of course, not everyone installs a second entrance door, but those who value comfort and cleanliness often wonder what material to choose from.

Today, manufacturers offer customers a huge abundance of vestibule doors, which can vary in material, characteristics and other parameters. In this material we will try to consider all the subtleties of choosing, installing and operating second entrance doors.

Photo: The second entrance door is wooden. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

Second door to the apartment: yes or no

Whether or not to install a second entrance door is up to each apartment owner. Some install them to highlight the interior design, others for functionality, and others for reliability. If you have doubts about installing an additional door, you should initially familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of the product, and only after a detailed study make a decision.

The second soundproofed wooden entrance door to the apartment is smaller in size than the main structure. The door leaf can be made from various materials, which allows you to select the design in accordance with the requirements and cost. Considering the advantages of second entrance doors, the following can be noted:

Photo: Installation of the second door. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

• providing protection from cold air, noise and dirt that enters the apartment from outside;
• an additional means of protection when uninvited guests enter the apartment;
• aesthetic appeal of the door leaf indoors;
• quite reasonable cost depending on the choice of material;
• An abundance of design options and a variety of materials make it possible to choose a canvas for any interior design.

In addition to the positive qualities of the second entrance door, there are also negative aspects. Firstly, a vestibule door reduces the space of the hallway, which is especially unacceptable in small apartments. The design provides that the door leaf opens into the room, which means that there should not be cabinets, cabinets or shoe shelves directly next to the doors. Before deciding to install vestibule doors, it is important to carefully consider the pros and cons.

Photo: White second door. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

If the apartment actually has little space in the hallway, then as an alternative it is better to additionally insulate and soundproof the entrance metal structure. In this way, you can increase the efficiency of the door leaf without compromising space. If one entrance door is used, then it should be of the highest quality, since not only protection, but also comfort depends on this.

Finish options

Second entrance door from inside

Financial savings also occur due to the decoration of the entrance door frame, because significantly less building materials will be needed; they will be replaced by a second door. It is necessary to take into account the size of the hallway, because such an installation will significantly reduce the usable space of the apartment, which can lead to inconvenience.

Very often the front door does not fit into the overall interior of the hallway and does not quite match the color and texture. In order not to disturb the idyll of the design concept, it is necessary to install a second door. It can be made of wood or veneer, laminate and even plastic, if the design requires it. Please note that it should not be made of glass. Of course, you can order individual cladding for the front door, but this will entail significant expenses.

Outside

However, sometimes they come to the following trick to avoid uninvited guests. The first door is unsightly, made of wood, and the second is armored. What a surprise for thieves! You can install a second lock for the same purpose. A second door won’t hurt if there are small children in the house, because it happens that someone forgets to close the first door tightly. It is known that children are particularly curious, and there are many dangers in the entrance: pets, steep stairs, dirt.

If you do not take into account the security function, install a regular push handle with a latch or a magnetic handle with a lock. However, it's up to your taste. When buying a secondary home, it happens that the second door is old; in order to save money, it can be veneered to match the interior doors.

Construction of the second entrance door

Currently, vestibule doors can be made from various materials:

• Chipboard or MDF panels;
• solid wood;
• combined designs.

Thanks to the variety of options, you can choose the most suitable material in accordance with the requirements and preferences of the apartment owner. Modern materials are distinguished by their lightness, practicality and affordable price. Depending on the requirements, you can select the optimal material for the second entrance doors. In some respects, the second panel is similar to interior doors. The second entrance door to the apartment for sound insulation is the optimal solution that will ensure comfort in the house.

Photo: There are many options for a second entrance door. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

The most suitable option for a door would be a leaf that does not have glass elements, which, due to their fragility, can break and are ineffective as a soundproofing material. The door leaf must consist of a frame, crossbars, panels and a frame, which is necessary for installation. Also, the canvas must have high-quality fittings, hinges and locks. To ensure maximum protection of the apartment from penetration, the lock in the second doors must have a completely different mechanism than the one inserted into the main door. Due to the difference in secretions, it will be difficult to quickly open all the locking mechanisms.

As for the box, it is mainly made from natural hardwood. The main responsibility of the design is to ensure reliable fixation of the leaf and proper operation when opening or closing the door. The box is mounted directly in the opening using special fasteners or polyurethane foam. In the second case, the reliability of the vestibule door will be lower than that of the first.

Installation

In most cases, installing a second entrance door consists of sequential operations, just like installing the first one.

According to experts, a wooden door is installed in almost the same way as a metal one. Only some nuances related to the weight of the canvas and general aspects of installation work differ.

Sometimes, if the owners of an apartment or house need a second door, they order a pair of outer and inner ones in the form of a monoblock. This means that both sashes are attached to the same frame. In this case, the inner sash should open in the opposite direction from the outer one. This will help avoid accidental collision of the sashes and their damage.

Installation procedure

The installation sequence in the cart is the same as in the house. It consists of several stages and differs only in the sequence of work.

When installing a heavy structure (metal, solid wood), it is recommended to separate the canvas from the frame. After this they start working:

• A frame is installed in the prepared doorway.
• After leveling using levels and plumbs, it is attached to the wall along the perimeter. There must be at least 3 dots on each side.
• Covering cracks or sealing them with building mixtures.
• Hanging the sash and setting up its operation.
• Adjustment of all elements. Checking how door locks and latches operate and the functionality of the entire structure.

When installing products with a frame and a sheet made of plastic, metal-plastic or wood, the sash is not removed. The entire set is installed at once, adjusting the operation of all elements during installation.

Self-installation

Often manufacturing and installation are done by the same specialists. But sometimes you have to do the installation of second entrance doors yourself, without the help of professionals.

In this case, you need to call 1-2 people for help to make it more convenient to align and put the second door in place. Helpers will hold the structure and support its elements during assembly. You can’t handle this kind of work on your own if you don’t have experience installing doors.

When working with a metal frame, you may need a manual grinder, and possibly a welding machine.

In most cases, a home craftsman makes do with a standard set of tools: a hammer drill, a hammer, a building level, a set of screwdrivers, a cutter and pliers.

What material are doors made of?

Photo: Option for a wooden entrance second door.
Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya Additional doors for sound insulation can be made from various materials. The most common are: chipboard and MDF panels, natural wood, plastic and a combination of materials. When deciding on the choice of a suitable material, it is important to take into account the characteristics of each of them.

Plastic canvas

Plastic doors are made directly to your dimensions and parameters. It is worth noting that this model has a high level of noise and sound insulation, modern design, durability in operation and is easy to operate. You can order a door of any design and style. The colors of the canvas can be absolutely any, and double-glazed windows can also be used as on balcony doors. All details of the order are discussed directly with a specialist. The cost of the finished product depends on the complexity of the design, dimensions and other characteristics.

Photo: Option for a plastic entrance second door. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

Classic wooden doors

Perhaps everyone is accustomed to the fact that wooden doors are distinguished by their reliability, environmental friendliness and high cost. However, if we talk about such a material as wood, it is important to note that such products are distinguished by their unique beauty. A wooden door can become a real addition to the main interior or even a highlight. A product made of natural wood is perfect for a classic design, warm and at the same time strict. For the second entrance door, it is advisable to use hardwood, as scratches may form due to constant use. Another advantage of wood is that if scratches or other defects appear, everything can be corrected using varnish. The service life of wooden doors is measured in decades.

Door made of laminated chipboard

Chipboard is a wood material made from chips. Pressing technology produces a durable and reliable material that has a relatively low cost. Resistance to mechanical stress is ideal for the design of second entrance doors. The outer part of the chipboard board is covered with a polymer coating, which can have different colors and shades. In addition, the polymer coating provides additional strength to the fabric structure. If a vestibule door will be used in an apartment, then this material is ideal. If installed in a private house, moisture from the street will cause the slab to swell, and the door leaf will have to be replaced soon, since chipboard does not withstand moisture well.

Photo: Option of a laminated second entrance door. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

MDF boards for doors

The production technology of MDF panels involves the use of fine sawdust mixed with an adhesive. During manufacturing, water-repellent components are also added to the raw materials, as a result of which the material perfectly withstands a humid environment and does not react to it. The door structure consists of a frame covered with MDF panels. The outer decorative layer is made of film, so there can be a lot of variety of textures and colors. The main advantage of an MDF door is its relatively low cost.

Photo: Option for the second entrance door made of MDF. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

Should you choose metal or wood?

Of course, the second doors are the so-called second line of defense, so the iron structure will be much more effective. However, it is also worth considering other requirements for the canvas. The second entrance door to the apartment with sound insulation provides protection from noise, dust, cold and other factors, and a wooden surface will cope with the basic requirements much better and more efficiently.

If you want to protect your apartment from penetration as much as possible, then it is better to pay special attention to the main entrance door, and it is better to install a wooden second one. This canvas will provide comfortable conditions and aesthetic appeal to the hallway.

Installation features

The second door to the apartment is no more difficult to install than the interior door. The process is the same, but with some nuances. So, internal doors are installed in two ways.

• Monoblock installation. In this case, the door block is a common structure for two leaves. This option assumes that the structures will be made of the same material. True, options are possible. The common box is easier to install - it avoids distortions and has a higher level of heat and sound insulation. Ease of use is ensured by convenient and smooth opening/closing due to the correct geometry of the structure. During installation, a number of conditions must be met. First. The opening sides of the valves should be opposite, and the hinges should be in the same plane. Second. The maximum distance between the canvases should be no more than 30 cm and at the same time sufficient to accommodate fittings (handles). This is the optimal value for providing thermal insulation, determined by professionals.
• Separate installation. This installation uses two separate blocks. As a rule, the material used is different. The installation is difficult in terms of maintaining proportions. The canvases must be suitable in size, and unevenness and distortions will be visible to the naked eye and can lead to opening/closing problems.

In order to increase the insulating qualities, the second door is installed with a threshold. This is not always convenient and looks beautiful, but it is necessary. It is recommended to make the threshold in such a way that there is a minimum gap between the canvas and the floor. A sealing brush is installed along the entire lower edge of the canvas, the same as is used on sliding wardrobes. It will not affect the ease of opening/closing, but will add to the tightness of the structure.

To save space, the handles on the additional one are placed tightly with a slight height difference in relation to the handles of the main entrance structure. This difference will not be visible, but the process of closing and opening will occur without the handles touching each other.

How to install an additional entrance door

Photo: Cool option for a second entrance door.
Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya An internal entrance door to an apartment with sound insulation is installed without unnecessary difficulties, and this work can be performed by any owner if he has the necessary tools. For installation you will need: a hammer drill, a screwdriver, a tape measure, a level and construction foam. The following hardware is used: screws 70 mm long and anchors. If necessary, platbands are installed along the edge of the opening in the hallway.

When installing the door, you should follow a certain procedure:

1. The door frame is being assembled. As a rule, the box consists of three elements, which are assembled using grooves. The formed box should fit into the doorway without stop.
2. The box is fixed using wedges that are driven in and push the structure apart. Also, using hardware, the frame in the doorway is strengthened. Using a level, it is necessary to measure that all elements are level, since the quality of operation of the vestibule door depends on this.
3. At the next stage of installation, the hinges are installed. Here it is important to measure everything with maximum accuracy. Also, before installation, you should make sure that the hinges are suitable for that side of the opening. After hanging the canvas, the distance between the frame and the door should be at least two millimeters.
4. When the door is installed, the gap between the wall and the frame is treated with foam. It is important to know that a large amount of foam can deform the box, so you should do the work carefully. After the foam has dried, you can install platbands and fittings.
5. At the last stage, the seal is glued. Today, the seal is offered to customers with a self-adhesive base, so it is enough to remove the protective film and you can attach it.

Photo: The castle is also important.
Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya These installation steps are applicable for wooden, chipboard and MDF doors. In the case of plastic installations, installation work is carried out by specialists.

Correct operation of the entrance door system

When using doors, it is periodically necessary to carry out preventive maintenance, since the service life depends on this. The performance of a double door with a vestibule for sound insulation will deteriorate if care and maintenance measures are not carried out in a timely manner. Inappropriate care and maintenance will lead to mechanism failure. There is a certain list of activities that must be performed:

Photo: Beautiful version of a door made of MDF. Author: Ksenia Bolkanskaya

• To reduce wear on the mechanism during the warm season, it is advisable to keep the vestibule door open to reduce the number of movements of the hinges and the leaf itself. Considering that it is warm in summer, there is no urgent need to insulate the doors;
• Second entrance doors need to be washed periodically, and it is not advisable to use various chemical compounds. You can care for the canvas using furniture care products, in which case the doors will have their original appearance for a long time;
• Hinges, like any rubbing parts, require lubrication. The hinges should be lubricated at least once a month, using litol or grease;
• During operation, locks, handles and seals may wear out, so they should be promptly replaced with new ones;
• If the appearance of the door has become irrelevant or outdated, then the canvas can be repainted using paint and varnish coatings.

As the door is used, the door leaf may sag over time, and this problem can be eliminated by replacing the hinges.

What to make from

If the main one is strong enough and reliable, then when deciding which one to install the second one, the emphasis should be on its appearance and compliance with the interior.

Most often, the latter are made the same as all other interior furniture in the apartment - wooden, veneered, laminated. No one bothers to make it plastic if the design concept requires it. The only material that is not very suitable for this is glass.

But the second door may well be metal. They do this to mislead intruders: at the entrance they put the most ordinary inexpensive wooden one, behind which a real armored barrier is hidden.

Characteristics of the door leaf

In the design of the second entrance doors, the canvas plays an important role. Thanks to this design element, comfortable conditions are provided in the room. Depending on the material used in the construction of the door leaf, the characteristics of the product may vary.

The door leaf is based on a frame made of timber. If the door is made of solid wood, the design may vary. In addition to the frame, there are also spacers and an outer surface. A high-quality second entrance door can keep out cold, dirt and dust, thereby making the hallway comfortable and beautiful.

Characteristics of the door leaf

Dual Design Requirements

Before you purchase a structure, you need to decide what kind of structure you need. The most determining factor will be the material of manufacture. On the website of any company there are catalogs with photos of designs.

An interesting option would be one made from wood; today you can choose it with various paneled decorations.

Products made from an MDF frame cannot be distinguished from real solid wood. Metal ones can be chosen with different imitation surfaces to suit any interior style.

Attaching the leaf to the door frame

High-quality vestibule doors have a groove along the entire perimeter of the leaf and door frame, the dimensions of which should be equal to two millimeters. To get a perfect fit of the leaf to the door frame, you should carefully measure the door set when purchasing. If you bought doors and a frame, and after installation it turns out that the gaps are large, then you should replace the door leaf or stick on an additional seal. Correct connection to the door guarantees maximum protection of the room from the penetration of sounds, cold and dust.

Description: Why do you need a second entrance door and what material to choose from? How to install a second door and features of repair and operation of the structure.

Tips for choosing material

When choosing a product for arranging the entrance to a room, you should pay special attention to the quality of the product. The door group must have the following qualities:

1. strength of hinges and crossbars;
2. burglary resistance;
3. medium weight so that the doors are easy to open;
4. presentable appearance;
5. secure locks;
6. good thermal insulation;
7. hydrophobic finish and filler;
8. long service life.

When purchasing or ordering a product, you should check the availability of a certificate and license.

Conclusion

Of course, whether to install a second entrance door or not is up to everyone. Considering all the advantages of adding entrance doors, we can say with confidence that an additional leaf will not be superfluous. Using second entrance doors you can protect your home from dust, debris and cold as effectively as possible, while reducing the noise level. Also, the vestibule door will become an additional barrier for burglars, and with the use of several different locks it will be practically impenetrable. If you are installing second doors, it is important to choose and install them correctly.

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Disadvantages of double doors

In addition to many useful properties, two entrance doors can also bring some inconveniences into our lives. Their installation takes up a lot of space and reduces the size of the corridor. When installing a second door, it should be taken into account that the inner one should open deeper into the room, which creates additional inconvenience and increases the time it takes to open and close the doors.

To install two doors, you usually need to call a professional, since if the installation is poor, the desired result will not be achieved. This requires additional financial expenses.