Types of metal-plastic doors, their characteristics, installation and operation features

Metal-plastic doors consist of several elements that give them high strength and functionality. Due to their affordable cost, they are used in residential premises and public buildings. In an apartment, they can be installed on the balcony, used as interior structures, and in some cases, used as an entrance door. Today, a wide selection of products is available in terms of external finish and opening method. Next, let’s look at how metal-plastic doors differ, what are their advantages and disadvantages.

Types of metal-plastic doors

Modern technologies make it possible to produce doors of any size and for various purposes from metal-plastic profiles. They are classified according to several criteria.

1. Purpose. Doors can be entrance, interior or balcony. The latter are practically no different from the entrance ones, but they usually have a ventilation function. Double-glazed windows with impact-resistant glass are installed on the entrance panels, but if the safety requirements are low, then the glazing can be ordinary.
2. Opening method and design features. Metal-plastic doors are hinged, sliding and folding with single or double leaf leaves of rectangular or arched shape.
3. Design decision. The appearance may vary depending on the chosen design, color, position and direction of the profile, the presence or absence of glass or a pattern on the surface of the canvas.

Interior doors made of plastic with a metal base

Metal-plastic doors are the most common and affordable solution for framing indoor doorways. The door leaf can be solid or have a glass insert. For interior doors, a three-chamber profile is used, the installation depth of which is 60 mm.

Interior doors often have glass inserts, and sometimes are completely filled with double-glazed windows

This solution would be an excellent option when decorating a doorway in:

• utility rooms, bathroom and toilet;
• administrative or office premises;
• medical institutions;
• partially heated or unheated buildings.

The popularity of interior metal-plastic doors is explained by the following advantages:

• high sound insulation characteristics - the room can be well insulated from extraneous noise;
• resistance to temperature changes and high humidity;
• no fading due to sunlight;
• high fire safety indicators;
• ease of care;
• high resistance to aggressive chemicals;
• large selection of colors.

If we talk about the disadvantages of such doors, they will largely depend on the quality of their production. The main disadvantages of products made from reinforced PVC include relatively low mechanical strength, which is why scratches and abrasions will be clearly visible on the surface, and with a strong impact, even damage to the canvas may occur.

Entrance doors

Unlike balcony and interior structures, metal-plastic entrance doors are made from more durable materials and using a different technology. Their main features are the presence of a reliable locking mechanism and high resistance to the negative effects of external factors, as well as temperature changes. The presence of special amplifiers makes such structures especially durable, so they reliably protect the home from possible penetration by unauthorized persons.

Metal-plastic entrance doors usually have a blank panel at the bottom, and sometimes a double-glazed window is installed in the upper part

The main differences between entrance doors and balcony or interior doors are as follows:

• high resistance to temperature changes allows them to be installed in regions with harsh winters;
• the presence of a reinforced and reinforced frame, metal inserts, as well as special welded connectors makes such structures resistant to mechanical damage;
• good noise and heat insulation characteristics;
• the presence of reinforced fittings, which have a long service life and are intended for frequent use;
• the locking device reliably fixes the door leaf along its entire perimeter;
• aluminum threshold increases the service life of doors and protects interiors from drafts;
• the ability to create different designs, as a result of which such doors are suitable for houses built from different materials.

The disadvantages of the products under consideration include lower strength than similar metal structures, as well as poor thermal insulation characteristics of inexpensive models due to insufficient insulation of sandwich panels or the use of double-glazed windows instead of triple-glazed windows. Therefore, when purchasing a metal-plastic entrance door, you should give preference to products from trusted manufacturers and be sure to pay attention to their quality - this is the only way you can purchase strong and reliable doors that will protect your home for many years.

Sliding doors

If you need to design a wide doorway or it is not possible to install swing doors, sliding metal-plastic structures would be an excellent solution. The use of special fittings makes it possible to move the sash first slightly toward itself, and then to the side, or to open it for ventilation, which is why they are also called tilt-and-slide systems. The sash moves away from the frame by an average of 12 cm, and then slides along the guides and stops after it hits the stopper.

To move such doors to the side, you need to turn the handle 180o; for ventilation, it is enough to move it 90o, and in some models, 45o. The width of the door leaf can be from 60 to 150 cm, and its height up to 230 cm, while the weight of individual structures reaches up to 180 kg.

Sliding metal-plastic doors can have a leaf width from 60 to 150 cm

Having a reliable support for the sash prevents it from sagging, but long-term operation of such a structure will only be possible if it is installed correctly. To design a wider opening, you can use a bobbin system, which includes two doors that open in different directions. The installation of anti-burglary handles, hooks and shock-proof glass makes such structures safe and secure, so they can be used both indoors and on a balcony or terrace.

The main advantages of metal-plastic sliding systems over similar aluminum ones are:

• higher thermal insulation characteristics;
• the presence of two sealing contours that increase the tightness of the vestibule. On aluminum systems, brushes made of bristles are installed, so the tightness will be worse;
• uninterrupted operation in winter, since the sash moves to the side and opens easily, and the aluminum guides can become clogged with snow and ice;
• the ability to open the doors completely or only to ventilate the room.

Despite the large number of advantages over aluminum systems, metal-plastic structures also have their disadvantages: they are heavier, their strength is slightly less, and their cost is higher. But all of them are compensated by simplicity and ease of use, as well as a long service life.

For use in the kitchen, the design can be equipped with a window sill, on which it is convenient to store various items, but when opening the sash for ventilation, they will need to be removed. On a loggia or balcony it is very convenient to use sliding panels - they do not require free space near the doors, so cabinets or shelves can be installed next to the doorway.

Balcony doors made of metal-plastic

Metal-plastic balcony doors can be made as a single unit with a window or separately. This solution is used not only to design a doorway on a balcony or loggia, but also in a greenhouse, greenhouse, veranda, etc.

The peculiarity of such structures is that they are usually locked only from the inside, and have a special latch on the outside that allows you to fix the door tightly in the closed state. At the customer's request, a double-sided handle, a child lock, and a folding mechanism can be installed. Metal-plastic balcony doors have a number of advantages:

• are not afraid of moisture and temperature changes;
• they are simple and easy to care for;
• are characterized by high strength;
• provide good tightness and high heat and sound insulation characteristics;
• have a beautiful appearance;
• withstand a long period of use.

  Metal-plastic balcony doors, made in the same style as the windows, look very beautiful

For metal-plastic balcony doors, the same materials are used as in the manufacture of windows, so the designs are similar, although with certain differences:

• the fittings are of higher quality;
• the profile is reinforced with galvanized steel;
• the strength of corner joints is increased due to high-quality welded joints;
• double glazed windows are installed.

There are several types of balcony doors: single-leaf, double-leaf, sliding and accordion doors.

Metal-plastic bathroom doors

When choosing wooden or MDF doors for a bathroom, be prepared for the fact that after 5–6 years you will have to replace or restore them. Metal-plastic doors are an excellent solution for a bathroom or toilet, as they reliably serve for many decades and do not require special care.

Since high humidity often occurs in the bathroom and the temperature changes sharply, the best solution would be to install a metal-plastic door here

The bathroom often experiences high humidity and temperature changes, so increased demands are placed on the materials used in the manufacture of doors for it. Metal-plastic structures have all the necessary characteristics for use in wet areas:

• do not corrode and are not afraid of high humidity;
• They are light in weight, so installation can be done by hand;
• are not afraid of exposure to chemically active substances;
• do not require complex care;
• are available in a wide range of design and color solutions, so the door can be matched to any interior.

The only drawback that metal-plastic products have is their low elasticity, so under severe impact loads the fabric can become deformed.

When choosing a swing structure, the size of the door leaf in comparison with the size of the doorway should be rounded down, but for sliding doors this is done, on the contrary, up.

It is recommended to make a threshold for the door in the bathroom, since in case of flooding, its presence will help prevent water from penetrating into other rooms. When determining the size of the door leaf, do not forget to take into account the height of the threshold. It is much easier to care for a smooth surface, but a fine-grained structure will require more careful care.

Since metal-plastic structures have high tightness, it is recommended to make a grille in the lower part of the canvas for the bathroom and toilet, which will ensure ventilation of the room when the doors are closed. In order to determine the quality of the plastic, you can press your finger on the door leaf: good material will not sag.

Sliding doors

If you need to install doors in a wide doorway and it is not possible to use a sliding system, the best option is sliding metal-plastic doors. This design folds up near the doorway, and since it consists of several elements, it takes up very little space. The width of one sash cannot be more than 90 cm, and the height of the leaf can be up to 230 cm.

To design wide openings it is very convenient to use an accordion door

The design features of the accordion door allow it to be used to design an exit to a terrace, winter garden or backyard, as well as in office, retail and entertainment establishments.

For interior spaces, sliding structures without a threshold are usually used, and for entrance doors, a leaf with a lower support roller is mounted.

The main advantages of sliding metal-plastic doors:

• despite the large number of sections, such doors provide high heat and sound insulation characteristics;
• they can close large openings;
• for the manufacture of doors, a profile system with a thickness of 60 to 86 mm can be used, which allows you to make both interior and entrance structures;
• This solution allows you to make the room brighter and more spacious.

The disadvantages of sliding doors are associated with their high cost and the fact that the presence of a large number of leaves reduces their strength.

Sliding door opening patterns are indicated by a three-digit code, in which the first digit indicates the total number of leaves, and the second and third number indicate the number of leaves that can be moved to the left and right, respectively.

If you need to use a sliding door every day, then it is possible to install one swing door in it, which you will mainly open. If it is necessary to free the entire doorway, the sliding system unfolds completely.

Blind plastic door

Metal-plastic doors can have double-glazed windows or consist of sandwich panels. To create them, high-quality PVC sheets are used, the space between which is filled with extruded polyurethane foam. Such structures are light, durable, have high heat and sound insulation characteristics, as well as a guaranteed service life of 25–30 years.

Blind metal-plastic doors are usually used at the entrance to the house

If you need to install opaque doors, then filling metal-plastic structures with sandwich panels is one of the best options. This solution has the following advantages:

• high heat and sound insulation;
• relatively light weight;
• ease of transportation and installation;
• high resistance to the negative effects of external factors, corrosion and fungus;
• resistance to moisture and temperature changes;
• affordable price.

A solid metal-plastic door can be installed both indoors and on the balcony or at the entrance to the house. The main disadvantage of such doors is the possibility of mechanical damage, and if the abrasions or scratches are significant, then restoring such a door will be difficult and almost impossible.

Video: types of metal-plastic doors

Accessories

The lock, handles, hinges are parts of the fittings. Each element must be adjusted to work reliably. For an outdoor metal-plastic door you need at least 3 hinges for each leaf. They are hidden in a box to make it difficult to break into.

The lock has a main bolt near the handle and several more around the perimeter, which are equally important security elements. The door closer is considered an additional component of the fittings.

Based on the basic requirements when choosing a metal-plastic door, you can make your house impenetrable.

Design features

The PVC entrance group is based on a reinforced steel frame equipped with fittings. A plastic door that will be used intensively is additionally equipped with special elements.

Hinges must withstand a large number of opening and closing cycles and the pressure of the weight of the structure. To increase your security, you can additionally add anti-burglary fittings to the basic set of the product.

An addition to thermal insulation is a threshold that is an extension of the door frame or part of its metal reinforcement. A rubber seal is laid around the perimeter, increasing the tightness and soundproofness of the door.

A plastic door with glazing will fit perfectly into the interior and will suit any project. A large selection of profile colors, decoration of individual elements, and configurations of door dimensions open up wide opportunities for placing such structures in buildings.

Residents of apartment buildings prefer doors without glass with good sound absorption, and owners of private houses often choose glazed entrances.

In public buildings and office buildings, glazed structures made of metal-plastic are usually used.

The price of the issue depends not only on the cost of manufacturing, delivery and installation, but also on the cost of the materials used, as well as on the color scheme of the profile and type of glass.

Decorative design

Metal-plastic doors provide heat retention and excellent sound insulation. But in terms of safety, such structures are inferior to high-quality metal doors.

In terms of aesthetics and choice of design solutions, the structures look great with walls made of brick, stone or concrete. Metal-plastic doors go well with siding trim.

Curvilinear structures are another compelling argument in favor of plastic doors. Arched models perfectly complement similar windows.

Glazing with stained glass makes the products unusual and original.

The construction industry is growing rapidly. Eco-friendly plastic products can be used without any worries.

When buying doors, pay attention to their quality and reputation of the manufacturer. Security depends on these two factors.

Current regulatory documents

The beginning of mass production of doors and windows made of plastic occurred at the end of the last century. In 1999, GOST 30673-99 was adopted, which regulated the requirements for PVC profiles from which window and door units were assembled. The state standard made it possible to restore order in the production of plastic products, which were previously produced according to specifications developed by each company independently.

Today, according to the requirements of GOST 30674-99 and GOST 232166-99, PVC balcony doors are produced.

For external door plastic blocks and interior doors made of PVC, GOST 30970-2002 is used. This regulatory document describes the manufacturing technology of plastic doors, the standard values ​​of the parameters and possible deviations from the standards.

Care

A few points:

1. The main rule is not to use compounds and detergents with acids, solvents and abrasive particles. For glass you can use professional products.
2. It is worth removing old grease and dirt from metal elements 1-2 times a year. And also lubricate the fastening and locking systems with technical oil without acids and resins.
3. The seals also need to be treated with special means so that they remain elastic.
4. An important point of care is adjusting the fittings. Before winter, the sash clamps are tightened, and by summer they return to their previous position.

We know exactly how to adjust a metal-plastic window, and its service life and properties depend on this. We provide post-warranty service.

Do you need reliable windows for many decades, high-quality installation and proper maintenance? One of the best companies in this field is at your service - VEKA Systems!

What it is

Metal-plastic windows are windows made of PVC profiles reinforced with a metal frame. Products made from conventional plastic profiles can change their geometry as a result of thermal changes. With the change of seasons, the expansion and subsequent contraction of a window made of unreinforced plastic can reach 1 cm, depending on the overall dimensions, which leads to a loose fit of the sash to the frame and sagging, the appearance of cracks.

Reinforcement with a metal profile gives additional rigidity to the structure, prevents deformation and significantly reduces the likelihood that the sash will sag and stop closing.

Reinforcing U-shaped profile for rigidity

The metal-plastic window has a standard general design:

• double-glazed window - a sealed element consisting of several glasses, the distance between which is filled with air or inert gases;
• frame - a fixed part mounted in a window opening;
• sash - the opening part;
• seals – silicone gaskets that perform soundproofing functions; installed at the edges of the glass unit;
• fittings (locks, hinges, handles) - determines the functionality of the window structure and the opening system.

Advantages and disadvantages

Plastic doors are characterized by the following positive properties:

• A variety of stylistic solutions and a varied color palette allow you to imitate plastic like wood, stone, and decorate the structure with stained glass and textured glass;
• High level of material resistance to temperature changes, high humidity, and ultraviolet radiation;
• Wear resistance, which allows you to install a plastic door in rooms with high traffic;
• A fairly high level of absorption of noise and sounds coming from outside;
• Simple and easy to maintain during operation;
• Installation of locks of any complexity;
• Possibility of manufacturing a structure according to individual dimensions, your own project, with virtually no restrictions;
• The opening system can be of the hinged or sliding type. Sliding doors are especially relevant for designing access to an attic or winter garden in combination with French windows. Other materials are incompatible with this opening system;
• Long service life, so over time the plastic does not lose its properties, which means the product does not dry out or deform.

The disadvantages are:

• Quite a high cost of high-quality design;
• It is impossible to install the door yourself, since complex installation and subsequent correct operation require special skills and special equipment. To give high reliability and stability, the door structure around the perimeter is reinforced with a metal plate, which complicates the installation process. Poor-quality installation can provoke a significant decrease in heat and sound insulation due to a violation of tightness, sagging hinges and loose closing of the door;
• The average level of resistance to burglary, which is increased by additionally equipping the sash profile with steel plates of a closed section, installing a crossbar and anti-burglary fittings in the leaf.

Device

Doors are classified according to the type of door mechanisms installed during installation.

There are a large number of standard sizes, and you need to familiarize yourself with them before making a final decision on installing the appropriate type of plastic entrance group.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are practically no significant disadvantages associated with installing plastic doors with glass that are attractive in appearance and easy to use. The only drawback is the cost of installation, but it is more than covered by the advantages inherent in this design.

Among which it should be noted:

• ease of use, long service life guaranteed, subject to compliance with the rules of operation of the entrance group;
• significant practical benefits due to the possibility of installing alarms and other necessary additional devices at the customer’s discretion;
• using only high quality raw materials;
• good heat and sound insulation;
• a large selection for style ideas, which allows you to find the type of door that will fit most successfully into the building project.