Plastic entrance doors for a private house: photos, examples

Advantages and disadvantages

Until recently, plastic doors were obviously inferior to their competitors, wooden and metal ones, in terms of strength. Now, with the development of technology, they have become much more reliable. And from the point of view of beauty, it was difficult to find fault with them even before.

Plastic entrance doors have changed over the past ten years

Any material has its advantages. PVC, from which entrance doors are made, is no exception. It is characterized by:

High strength . Modern plastic ones are equipped with additional reinforcement - the thickness of a metal sheet is added to their thickness, which is difficult to damage even with the presence of an electric tool.
Lightness . PVC is the lightest of the materials used to make entrance doors. A structure made from it is easy to transport, easy to install, plus you don’t need to calculate whether the wall will support it.
Easy to care for. Modern plastic is coated with a special layer that is not sensitive even to aggressive chemicals. But even cheap structures without such a coating are easy to clean - most of the dirt can be removed from them with an ordinary wet cloth.

Have high strength

Resistance to mechanical damage . PVC, which is used in construction, is difficult to scratch or dent. He is not afraid of animal claws.
Durability . With proper care, the structure can last a couple of decades. Many companies, wanting to attract customers and emphasize the quality of their products, promise a guarantee of five or even ten years.
Variety . The aesthetics of plastic is always questionable - many people think that it is too simple and cheap material. But one advantage cannot be taken away from it - it is extremely diverse. All kinds of colors, patterns, decorations - for every taste.

Easy to care for

Noise insulation . The level of noise insulation characteristic of plastic structures cannot yet catch up with either steel or wood. Thanks to the tightness provided by special rubber gaskets, the plastic at the entrance to the house completely cuts off the sounds of the outside world.

There may be construction work going on in the house next door, but you won’t hear it.

Thermal insulation . Thanks to the same tightness, a closed PVC entrance door does not let heat in at all. Even if it is equipped with double-glazed windows, heat loss will be very small.
Sustainability . The plastic is made in such a way that it is not afraid of exposure to moisture (and for some of the exterior decoration this is important because of snow and rain), or exposure to ultraviolet radiation (does not fade in the sun), or biological threats (does not mold, cannot be damaged by pests).
Ease of repair . Repairing a plastic structure - or, if the need arises, replacing it with the same one - is much easier and cheaper than steel or wood.

Have durability

But no material is perfect, so in addition to the pros there are disadvantages:

Simplicity . Plastic, whatever one may say, is a cheap material. It does not suit truly expensive finishes, pompous interiors, or natural materials; it is out of place, no matter how well it is made.
Fire hazard . Plastic does not burn the way wood burns - with a bright scarlet fire. But it melts, emitting choking black smoke in the process.
High probability of dishonesty on the part of the manufacturer . You can't do anything too bad to wood or steel to make it unusable. But with plastic you can. If it is not made according to GOST, it can melt from very small temperature changes, crack easily, and emit fumes harmful to humans.

Plastic is not afraid of moisture and ultraviolet radiation

In addition, the cheapest of plastic structures are made without the use of a metal sheet, which means that, with a certain level of physical strength, they can be punched with a fist.

Unscrupulous sellers may sell them at a higher price and not focus on the fact that they do not have metal inserts.

Advice: It’s worth buying a plastic model if you have a style that suits it - the same as modern, for example, democratic in the materials used. But if the house is lined with natural wood, the plastic will look alien and inappropriate.

Ease of repair

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.

Types of plastic entrance doors

Types of doors should be distinguished according to the following criteria:

Number of sashes. Mostly, single-leaf doors are installed as entrance structures, but there are also double-leaf doors. Moreover, the second ones can either be the same width, or one part can be wider, and the second narrower.

Opening method. Entrance doors can be sliding, hinged, folding, or accordion-type. More often, a swing version is installed in a country house, which opens either inside the room or outside.

To keep the house warm, double doors with a vestibule are installed. The distance between them is very small, but they can be made from more than one material and differ in both stylistic design and color: it all depends on the preferences of the owners. This type of construction is not suitable for apartments. To install it, you must have a porch, veranda, etc.

The sliding version of the design will also look good on the facade of the house, but it is better to install the “accordion” design not as the main door, but at the exit to the garden or veranda. Such a door does not function well in cold weather and folds like a book when opened.

Variety of canvas. A plastic door can be either fiberglass, made of impact-resistant material, or solid. If a country house offers stunning views of the sea, mountains, garden and other interesting places, then the option of installing an all-glass panel is relevant, which will allow you to enjoy all this beauty every day. Moreover, the glass can be not only transparent, but also matte, corrugated, with or without any pattern.

Structure thickness. It all depends on the manufacturer and door manufacturing technology (the thickness of the aluminum profile, the presence of air chambers and glass inserts). On average, the thickness of the finished structure ranges from 90 to 120 mm.

What types of plastic entrance doors there are for a private home can be seen in the photos presented in this article.

Aesthetic side

In addition to design features, it is also important to consider how it will look as a result. The colors, shape, presence or absence of glass inserts may differ - all this must be taken into account.

Arched option

Door without glass inserts

Glass inserts are the best way to get a more beautiful result, but at the same time make it more expensive. If you are limited on finances - or do not trust glass - it is quite possible to order without it. This solution will have the following advantages:

lightness - glass adds additional weight, without it the mass decreases;
low price - pure plastic is much cheaper;
simplicity - no frills of design, which can sometimes look great.

This option lets in a lot of light

But there will also be disadvantages:

simplicity - looking good in minimalism, in most styles it will look unattractive and uninteresting;
low variety - most often single-color plastic structures are produced in white, since in this form they are most popular (they are placed in doors and offices).

Unusual opening option

To give it some aesthetics, if you are not satisfied with a smooth, even surface, you can use:

embossing - as a rule, produces the simplest geometric patterns formed by differences in surface height;
photo printing - allows you to cover the door with a special film that will give any color, any pattern, any design, even a night city or streams of rain;
fake natural material - the same film allows you to imitate wood or stone quite passably.

Or you can leave it monochromatic, emphasizing its simplicity instead of hiding it - this can give an unexpectedly interesting effect.

In the style of minimalism, nothing superfluous

Advice If you are in doubt about whether to take a door without inserts, look at photographs with examples on the Internet and evaluate the impression they make.

Adjusting the door to the balcony

Many of us have plastic doors on our balconies, and I think they need to be able to be adjusted because...

Fittings - this concept includes all kinds of hinges, with the help of which the structure is securely and firmly fixed, locks responsible for tightly locking the window, plastic or metal parts - special covers to protect connections, micro-lift, strips. angular gears, etc. Most of these mechanisms can only be considered with a complete disassembly of the system. All of the listed components are necessary to connect the frame and sashes. If it is not dense enough, drafts will occur. It is these elements that allow you to select the desired ventilation mode and secure the structure in a certain position.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of all parts and regularly carry out the necessary preventive maintenance: lubricate hinges, adjust pins in grooves, etc.

The nuances of choosing a specific door

It's helpful to have an idea of what kind of door you want. But to be able to choose it - of sufficient quality, sufficiently comfortable - on the spot in the store is a completely different matter.

Basic tips to remember:

Measurements . Before you go to the store, you need to measure the dimensions of the doorway - and, preferably, in several places, so that if it is crooked, it becomes clear immediately, and not when you try to put a door in it.
Door frame . The basic rule is that it should be thicker than the door leaf, since it is on it that the entire structure rests, and it is this that provides the main reliability.

Combination with decorative glass

Door leaf . It should not be too thick, but must contain a sheet of metal. Otherwise, the most beautiful door will not last long.
Loops . Firstly, they must be designed for the weight of a particular door, and secondly, it is good if they are hidden (unless, of course, in your idea they act as a decorative element). This will make the door harder to remove from its hinges, and there will also be fewer elements that can affect the overall impression.
Completeness . All elements must be purchased at the same time, since the same rule applies to doors as with furniture - after a month the batch may go out of production, and then it will be difficult to look for forgotten trims or pick them up.
Compatibility . You need to take into account not only how the door will be combined with the exterior decoration, but also how it will be combined with the interior.

Hallways are usually made in other styles and colors, so you need to pay attention to both sides.

Before choosing, we take into account all the nuances

Accessories . The reliability of the door also depends on it, so it should be checked when purchasing. It should not hang loose, should not come off, and should not look too rough or poorly finished. It’s good to try opening and closing the door a couple of times in the store to see if it creaks, wobbles, or closes tightly.
Overall quality . The door needs to be thoroughly inspected before purchasing. Are there any cracks or chips? Is the canvas the same thickness everywhere, is it warped somewhere? Are there any spots of a different color?
Certificates . Plastic doors can be made in bad faith, so before purchasing you should make sure that everything is fine according to the documents. If there are no documents for the door, you should contact another seller - the likelihood of buying an obviously low-quality product, which can also harm your health, is too high.

This product requires careful care

In order for a plastic door to serve for a long time and well, you need to wash it once a month - as a rule, warm soapy water and a special liquid for washing glass are enough.

Once every six months, maintenance is added to the plastic seal, which can become dusty and clogged. If any problems are found in the process, they must be corrected.

You can use the same damp cloth or vacuum cleaner for cleaning.

Once a year you need to lubricate the door fittings so that they do not creak or fail. It is best if the lubricant is frost-resistant - we are talking about the front door, after all.

Maintenance of the plastic seal is added every six months

VIDEO: Useful information about making the right choice

Plastic doors

What do you need to know to choose?

There are the following types of profiles that are actively used by well-known companies (Veka, KBO, Rehau)

O-shaped - represents a closed contour. Such designs are used in various systems. Many companies run promotions that claim they provide greater insulation so your apartment will always be warm and cozy. In fact, this statement cannot be confirmed, but it is easy to refute. It is not metal, but plastic that is responsible for maintaining a stable temperature in the room. Such a profile cools quickly, which leads to a sharp cooling of the surfaces. What is the door made of? Door terms and their description. Window owners may find such an unpleasant surprise on frosty days. completely closed circuit can change its size: this is why prudent manufacturers make a minimal gap.

U-shaped - copes with its responsibilities better than the sample already described, and is actively used in the manufacture of plastic window profile designs.

The glass unit is an important part of the window. Thanks to it, we see the space located outside the house, and it also protects us from cold and moisture. This element is contained in a frame assembled from plastic parts and is fixed in the opening. This design most often consists of 2 or 3 glasses, the distance between which is provided by an air chamber, the width of which varies depending on the features of the model: from 10 mm and more. What is a plastic door made of? Its value cannot be arbitrary: it depends on the parameters of the rectangular section of the profile.

There are several types of this element:

Single-chamber - consists of two glasses of 4 mm each. The width is 24 mm, and the cross-sectional dimensions are 16 mm. This type is increasingly being installed on windows and balcony doors. The advantage is an affordable price, which allows you to save on purchasing the necessary design.

Double-chamber – the number of glasses increases: there are three of them with two chambers between them. The most popular samples are those whose width ranges from 32-40 mm. Such models retain heat better, and with them your home will always be
quiet and cozy: the additional surface reliably protects from extraneous noise. However, such models also have their drawback: they transmit sunlight much worse, being a real barrier to ultraviolet rays.

Noise-isolating - with it you will not hear screams from the street or the roar of engines of cars rushing along the freeway. What is special about this product? Glass that provides reliable sound insulation varies in thickness and quality. Additional materials affect the functionality: a special film reduces the noise level several times.

Energy saving - it includes a unique i-glass, the operating principle of which can be compared to the action of a thermal mirror. The surface of this structure is coated using an original sputtering of silver ions.

Protective - a shockproof and safe model, when destroyed, the resulting fragments remain behind a special film. Such double-glazed windows are installed in shop windows and kiosks.

Tinted - a light-proof surface for rooms whose windows are located on the sunny side.