Anti-burglary class, thermal and acoustic insulation, that is, the most important parameters of the front door
For a door to perform well for many years, solid material and good workmanship are essential. Equally important are specific parameters that determine whether the leaf protects well against noise, heat loss and burglary. Find out what technical elements to pay attention to and what values can be considered satisfactory.
What to follow when choosing a front door?
Before you lean into the question of aesthetics, analyze the models you are interested in in terms of their characteristics. To ensure that the door provides the necessary freedom, privacy and a sense of security, it must have a certain parameter at a specific level. Similarly, the thing is in the context of thermal insulation and sound attenuation. Verify the levels of burglar grade, heat transfer coefficient and sound insulation you care about. Decide what material the sash should be made of, and finally determine the desired design direction.
How to interpret the burglar grades of the front door?
For many people, the key task that an exterior door should meet is to protect against burglary and theft. This allows householders to sleep soundly, function comfortably during the day and leave without fear. When choosing a sturdy model, a helpful indicator is the burglary class. In Poland, there is a European standard, according to which a given door leaf is assigned a symbol indicating the degree of protection on a scale of 1 to 6. The RC (Resistance Class) classification system specifies in detail the various classes of anti-burglary doors – the higher the value, the more resistant they are to a visit from an uninvited guest. From Erkado’s offer we recommend your attention to two models: the Forteca RC2 leaf (with RC2 classification) and Forteca RC3 – the class of these burglar-proof doors is RC3. In both cases, the filling of the door is a specialized solid panel, and additional reinforcement is a steel plate. In addition, both models provide sound insulation at a good level of 38 dB.
Thermal transmittance, or thermal insulation of the door
If you are concerned about preventing heat from escaping through an exterior door, carefully check the parameter, which is the thermal transmittance of the door. It is referred to by the symbol U and is expressed as W/(m²-K). Thanks to it, you know how much energy – expressed in watts – penetrates through a square meter of the door if there is a temperature difference of 1 kelvin on both sides of the door. The lower the value of this coefficient, the less energy you will use to heat your home and the lower your bills will be. According to the regulations, thermal insulation can be a maximum of 1.3 W/(m²-K). For more information on this parameter, see the article: Thermal transmittance of doors – everything you need to know about the U-factor.
At Erkado, we have a number of sashes in which we have achieved a much more favorable value – even 0.6 W/(m²-K). We recommend five modern entrance doors. In all cases, you can choose from four design variants: Thermo Hot with a coefficient of 0.6 W/(m²-K) or 0.63 W/(m²-K) and Thermo with a U-value of 0.64 W/(m²-K) or 0.77 W/(m²-K). The thickness of the sash is 88, 78, 78 and 64 mm, respectively. If you prefer solid doors, the minimalist Solid 3 model will be a good choice, as well as Biene 2 with modern accents in the form of horizontal black decors. Lucerna 2 lets some light in thanks to four symmetrical panes in black frames. Fans of vertical decorative lines should take a peek at the Trebur 7 leaf with geometric accents and glazing over almost the entire height of the door, and the Murter 2 door, in which glass panes create a fashionable accent together with a wide black frame.
Sound insulation of exterior doors
Increasing the sense of freedom and privacy is greatly influenced by the sound insulation of the door. Soundproof exterior doors provide comfort in both directions. First: thanks to them, the sounds of life going on outside do not reach the inside. Noise from car traffic, screaming and running children, guests at the neighbors’ house or outside conversations is significantly reduced or completely eliminated – depending on the level at which the soundproofing parameter is. Secondly: acoustic front doors make it impossible to hear the sounds of domestic daily life outside. Residents can be sure that conversations, children’s games or social gatherings will be accompanied by complete discretion. A good sound insulation level of the door is 30dB. The higher it is – the better.
What door construction material should you choose?
Consider which properties and parameters you care most about. Wooden doors are an excellent investment for many years. Wooden sashes are famous for their durability and resistance to external factors. Their thermal and acoustic insulation properties are also a great asset. Wood is welcome in many arrangements, and its warm character has many supporters. However, it should be reckoned with the fact that, at the start, such a sash requires a slightly higher financial outlay and regular maintenance must be taken care of. Metal doors, on the other hand, are convenient for everyday use and do not require as much care – they are characterized by high resistance to mechanical damage and various atmospheric factors. They effectively protect against possible break-ins and help ensure a sense of security, they also prevent heat loss. It is worth keeping in the back of your mind that these types of models are quite heavy, which for some people can be a daily inconvenience. Both wooden doors and Erkado steel doors are fashionable, sleek and look good.
The more informed customer you are, the easier it will be to furnish and finish your home to meet all your expectations. Exterior doors are hugely important for the comfort of everyday life, and with your knowledge of technical issues, you will easily choose such a door leaf that will meet all the needs of the household.