If drafts appear in a house or apartment, then most often the entrance doors are to blame, especially if they are metal. To solve this problem, there is a simple and cheap way - installing a seal, since in most cases the entrance door structure is assigned security qualities, and not heat retention in the room. And even if it is an insulated metal door, it still requires an additional seal.

But before you deal with the correct sealing of metal entrance doors, you need to understand which material is best suited in a given situation. The use of too thick material leads to problems with closing the lock, and a thin analogue will not be able to completely close the cracks, continuing to let in cold and extraneous sounds, and cannot cope with the tasks assigned to it from the outside.

Classification of door seals

Recently, the building materials market has been replete with products for insulating entrance metal structures. At the same time, manufacturers offer products differing in the following characteristics:

I would like to note that you can make a seal for a metal door yourself. Enough for this wrap a strip of foam rubber with cloth and fill the resulting roller around the perimeter of the doorway. However, due to the availability of such materials, the cost of which is low, it is advisable to purchase a finished product produced in rolls up to 6 m long, which is enough to insulate a standard door. At the same time, for metal structures it is better to choose self-adhesive tape.

What requirements must the seal meet?

Sealant refers to various materials, having hermetic properties, which are responsible for eliminating gaps between the door frame and the leaf. After all, it is through the cracks that cold, drafts, dirt and extraneous noise coming from the street penetrate. Therefore, to prevent undesirable phenomena, a material that meets the following characteristics is suitable:

• quality indicators - the seal must be manufactured only according to approved standards and have a long service life;
• tightness characteristics - ensuring high-quality sealing of the gaps between the frame and the door leaf;
• high wear resistance - high-quality insulating material for a metal door must withstand a wide range of temperature changes without losing its original density characteristics;
• the degree of compliance is a parameter responsible for the maximum compression of the material, after which the seal is able to return to its original shape.

Another important criterion for choosing a high-quality seal for a metal door is its softness. This material acts as a kind of shock absorber design and therefore should soften the impact of the door leaf on the frame when the system slams sharply during its closing.

Types of seals for metal doors

Seals for metal doors may vary depending on the type of material used in the manufacture. Wherein the most popular products are, created from the following materials:

Despite the material used, all seals are manufactured in strips that differ in both shape and color. In this case, the shape of the sealing material will depend on the thickness and characteristics of the cracks. In turn, the color of the product is selected in accordance with the color of the metal door structure. Today, the most popular products are rubber seals, which have a high degree of wear resistance and durability– parameters that increase the service life of the material.

Seal profile type

The choice of high-quality sealing material for an insulated metal door should be based on the parameters of the gap that needs to be eliminated. For example, to seal a gap of up to 3 mm, foam rubber or polyethylene foam products with a rectangular cross-section are suitable. Moreover, all seals depending on its thickness and shape are marked in capital Latin letters:

• C – seal with the type of profile used for small gaps up to 3 mm;
• K – material with its parameters similar to the previous one;
• P and V – strips for eliminating gaps from 3 to 5 mm;
• O and D – seal for maximum door gaps up to 7 mm.

Before you buy a seal for a metal door that is suitable in all respects, you first need to identify the main causes of drafts. Only after finding out which cracks and in which places of the door structure need to be eliminated, you can choose the right profile and thickness of the sealing material, on which the comfort and coziness in the house or apartment will depend.

Installing a seal on a metal door

Modern doors made of metal are often still at the factory. equipped with a special profile with rubber seal. However, a high-quality entrance door is a rather expensive product, and therefore many people purchase cheaper designs or make them themselves, and therefore the issue of sealing the gap between the door leaf and the frame often becomes a concern for the homeowner.

If you use self-adhesive tape, the whole process will not take more than 10 minutes. The main thing in this matter is to choose the right profile thickness. There is a simple trick for this - a piece of plasticine wrapped in fabric is inserted between the frame and the door leaf at the largest gap, after which the door closes. After opening the door, the homeowner will have ready-made thickness template, according to which you can choose a suitable seal.

In turn, direct fastening of the tape comes down to simple manipulations: the protective film is removed from the side on which the adhesive is applied, after which the tape is pressed against the door rebate. Thus, the entire door structure around the perimeter is pasted over, and the remaining tape is cut off with a knife.

To ensure that the choice of seal for a metal door is correct, there are several recommendations from experts. If you purchase a rubber product, you need to make sure that the shelf life of the self-adhesive surface does not expire soon. An important role is played by material stiffness. Here you need to rely on the rule of the golden mean: excessively hard products will interfere with the closure of the lock, and soft ones will quickly lose their original shape.

For entrance doors made of metal, it is not recommended to use foam rubber products. First of all, this is due to the insufficient strength of the material, which in a fairly short time loses its main characteristics and will have to be replaced with a new analogue. Before buying a sealing product, you need to press it several times. High-quality material should very quickly restore its original shape.

A metal entrance door is a product that not only protects the residents of the house from unwanted guests, but also creates coziness and comfort in the room. Therefore, the installation of a suitable seal must be carried out in conjunction with the insulation of the door leaf and frame. Only a high-quality insulated door with a properly selected rubber seal will allow you to keep out dust, cold and extraneous sounds from the street.

A sign of high-quality installation of any entrance door is its tightness. If the fit of the end sides has cracks and large gaps, then the penetration of dust and sand is ensured. But the most unpleasant thing is that they will become conductors of cold air flow, which will affect the indoor microclimate in winter. To create comfort in your home, you need to examine the doorway and all door frame connections to detect gaps in order to eliminate them. The main assistant in the work will be the seal for the front door.

How to choose a door seal?

When choosing it, you should take into account the requirements for this material:

The tape must be intact without signs of damage or dents;

The wear resistance of the composition will ensure long-term operation;

Compliance will allow you to fix the strip in the desired direction, and when closing the door it will create a reliable barrier to the cold flow;

The soft structure will help eliminate the formation of squeaks and loud sounds when closing;

Resistance and adaptation to changes in ambient temperature guarantee convenient use.

When purchasing, even an inexperienced person can check the quality. To do this, just press your fingers on the tape. In a short period of time it should return to its original shape. Pressure resistance in a quality product will be minimal.

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Functions of the sealing tape:

Creation of thermal protection;

Barrier from dust, foreign odors;

Soundproofing;

Tight and silent fit of door elements.

Types of door seals

The difference between the types of seals lies in the raw materials used in manufacturing. The main components used are: rubber, foam rubber, polyurethane, felt and silicone. Products are produced in strips of different thicknesses, widths and colors. The type should be selected taking into account the nature of the gap in the door structure.

The simplest and most affordable type is foam tape. The self-adhesive surface on one side allows you to quickly insulate the doorway without requiring additional material or effort. It is possible to fix the foam strip with small nails if the work is carried out on a wooden surface. The material provides good protection, but its fragile structure does not withstand aggressive operating conditions. Over time, it begins to crumble and disintegrate into dust. Due to rapid wear and tear, it is often used in interior doors.

The felt seal is slightly superior to foam rubber in terms of thermal conductivity, but its structure also has a short service life. It is used more often in the furniture industry to seal doors in sliding wardrobes. The fleecy surface does not allow dust and dirt to penetrate into the furniture.

The rubber type is considered more universal. The material is ideal for metal and wooden doors. High resistance creates reliable protection against the penetration of cold air and dust. During operation, it adjusts and adapts to any weather. It wears out gradually, so it will last longer. Varieties of rubber seal differ in the method of fixation: using nails, strong glue or a self-adhesive base.

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Silicone products have similar qualities. During operation, changes occur in the composition, which is reflected in the structure of the material. It becomes sticky and brittle, so it is more often used for interior doors. The environmental friendliness of the raw materials allows this type to be used in medical institutions and children's institutions.

Polyurethane tape has a self-adhesive surface. This type is used mainly for wooden doors, since when used in metal structures, the structure is quickly damaged, which reduces the heat-protective functions.

Methods for installing a door seal

The fixation method depends on the type of seal: grooved and self-adhesive.

Option #1

This method involves attaching the tape to the groove of the door frame or the leaf itself. Everything is extremely simple if you take into account the rules for laying the seal. Rubber and silicone products tend to stretch, but after installation they will take their usual shape. Therefore, there is no need to pull the tape. This will lead to premature wear. When attaching to a groove, you should try to slightly compress the product to create a tight barrier. Trimming is done only after laying the strip in the groove.

Option No. 2

At first glance, fixing to a self-adhesive base has no pitfalls, but many people make a serious mistake in ignoring preparatory work on the surfaces of the door structure. Before pasting, be sure to clean the work area and degrease it with an alcohol-containing solution or acetone. This will increase the adhesion of surfaces and adhesive. It is worth fixing in small sections; there is no need to capture the entire length at once. After laying the tape, it should be pressed firmly and the position should be fixed for a few seconds (20-30 seconds). Only then can you move on. Having reached the corner part, the seal is cut off and the end is pressed again for a tight fit.

The functions of the door block include not only protection from unwanted guests entering the house, but also protection from cold or hot air, foreign odors and noise. There are always gaps where the leaf adjoins the door frame, and seals are used to stop the movement of air through the cracks. Not so long ago, our parents and grandfathers used various auxiliary materials for this - rags, felt, moss and even straw. Today, technological progress has replaced these artisanal methods with more effective and durable ones.

Purpose of door seals

It’s quite easy to understand why seals are installed on doors. Suffice it to remember the refrigerator that is in every home. What would happen if there was no rubber strip on the door? The answer is obvious - this is equivalent to the fact that the door would remain open, and the effect of cooling the products would have to wait a very long time. The cold air inside was constantly mixed with warm air, causing the refrigerator to become an air conditioner that lowers the temperature in the kitchen. To localize the cooling zone, it is necessary to stop the air circulation. This task is performed by the rubber seal.

Similar processes occur with entrance and interior doors. The door leaf is adjacent to the frame with a technological gap of 3–4 mm, otherwise the door simply will not open. Through it, air can freely penetrate both in one and the other direction. If this does not play a special role for internal doorways, then a stream of either cold or hot, sultry air will move through the entrance doors all year round. In winter, cold drafts will begin to blow inside the hallway, and freezing will intensify. In the summer, hot air from the street will appear in the house, and at the same time dust and noise.

Experts estimate that 25 to 30% of heat is lost through an unsealed front door during the cold season. The solution to all problems is an elastic seal that seals the cracks inside the door block and allows you to control air movement.

Air chambers inside the seal increase its thermal insulation properties

Types of door seals

For ease of selection, seals are classified according to the following criteria:

• according to the material of manufacture (there are rubber, plastic, silicone, foam rubber and polyurethane);
• according to the intended purpose (for entrance doors or interior doors);
• according to the installation method (fixation with glue or in a special groove).

Rubber

Rubber seals are time-tested and are most often used for entrance doors. Specially vulcanized rubber withstands not only moisture, but also a wide range of temperature changes (from -60 to +90 o C). Possible installation options:

Silicone

An analogue of a rubber seal, adapted for interior doors. It is characterized by softness in operation and lower price, since its resistance to mechanical stress is lower. Used for lightweight doors made of wood and its derivatives - fiberboard, plywood, chipboard, etc.

Silicone seals are installed mainly on interior doors

Foam seals

Foam rubber is the most inexpensive and short-lived type of door seal. Service life is a year, at most two. With intensive use, the material quickly deforms (shrinks and breaks), so the sealing has to be renewed almost every season. Foam rubber is more suitable for insulating blind window frames. However, the low price allows you to change the seal as often as you like. The disadvantage is the ability of the porous material to absorb moisture with all the ensuing consequences - freezing and deformation of the junction of the doors and the frame.

The foam seal is available in the form of a twisted rope of various widths

Polyurethane

Polyurethane seals are used in sliding doors (compartment, book, sliding, etc.). Their purpose is to minimize gaps, as well as soften impacts. The design feature is that inside the elastic body there is a polyurethane foam filler. The seals have a long service life and are designed for 15–20 years of service (more than 300,000 opening cycles). They are also used for plastic windows and doors, as they can withstand exposure to UV radiation. The main disadvantage is the high price.

Polyurethane seals are used in structures exposed to solar radiation

Brush

A relatively new product that arose with the development of sliding doors. The junction of the canvas to the frame is not always so smooth that the rubber seal can be properly installed. In these cases, a brush design with bristles made of flexible nylon is used, which allows you to close gaps with an irregular configuration. Such seals are successfully used for revolving and sliding doors (not only interior and entrance doors, but also automobile ones). They are especially often installed on thresholds - where dust accumulates the most. As the blade moves, the brushes “shove out” debris and clean the guide track from contamination. Manufacturers claim (and not without reason) that such a seal is effective in combating dust and freezing. Although its sound permeability is, of course, much higher than that of rubber.

The brush seal is easy to install and slows down air movement at the bottom of the doorway

Magnetic

Magnetic seals are used primarily on metal entry doors where the seal is critical to keeping the home warm. The design of the seal includes a rubber casing and a magnet built into it around the entire perimeter. The force of gravity forces the leaf to press tightly against the door frame, thanks to which the smallest cracks are leveled. In each case, it is important to choose the right magnetic seal: weak attraction will not work effectively enough, and excessive attraction will create difficulties when opening the door. You can take the force of opening a refrigerator door as an example - this is the force with which the magnet should hold the door closed.

The magnetic strip mounted inside the seal has an unlimited service life

Sealing a room using a magnetic seal has received the highest ratings from experts. Air from outside, as well as noise and fine dust, practically does not penetrate into the room. Service life - from 15 years and above (depending on the quality of the rubber band). During operation, it is necessary to ensure that small metal objects do not fall between the door leaf and the door jamb; steel shavings with sharp edges are especially dangerous. The outer rubber gasket must be washed and cleaned of adhering debris at least once a month (the magnet attracts not only metal, but also small electrostatically charged objects).

The bulk of household door seals are standardized for self-installation. The only exception is magnetic gaskets; their installation is best left to specialists. Fastening is carried out using glue or a special groove machined into the door block. For household use, self-adhesive tapes are widely used, the surface of which is covered with a moisture-resistant adhesive with a protective film.

When selecting a ready-made factory seal, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

• tape thickness;
• width of the gasket;
• method of fastening.

I would like to add on my own behalf. There is an old grandfather’s method that is still relevant today. To determine the thickness of the seal, wrap a piece of soft plasticine (or raw rubber) in a plastic bag and clamp it into the door in several (at least four) places. It is possible that the compression will be stronger in the area of ​​the hinges, and less near the door handle. Based on the imprint on the plasticine, the maximum and minimum size of the compaction is determined, and then the average value is found. For example, at the hinges the plasticine shrank to 3 mm, and in the opposite corner - to 4 mm. This means that you need to install a tape with a thickness of at least 3.5 mm.

It is believed that in normal operation the gasket compresses by no more than 50% of its thickness.

As for the width of the tape, everything is simple here. It should not exceed the width of the supporting part of the door jamb - when the door is closed it should not be visible from the outside.

The fixation method is determined as a result of a visual inspection of the door block. If there is no recess in the frame or canvas for installing the seal, it means that the fastening is carried out with glue. If a thin groove (from 3 to 5 mm) is chosen along the entire perimeter, the door is designed for a groove seal.

The compression of the seal should not exceed half its thickness

Installing and replacing seals on various types of doors

The tools needed for self-installation are simple and can be found in every home:

• pencil or marker;
• tape measure and ruler;
• sharp knife;
• brush with long (2–3 cm) bristles.

To install the brush seals, you will additionally need a hacksaw.

The glue used is waterproof, preferably rubber. Acetone solvents and sandpaper are used to degrease and clean the edge of the door.

When working with solvents, it is necessary to protect the respiratory system from toxic fumes with a respirator.

If the old seal is being replaced, it is necessary to remove the used tape from the doors and carefully treat the surface with fine sandpaper. Before directly gluing the tape, the end of the frame (or canvas) is washed and degreased. Small tubercles are ground off, and small depressions are puttied (pre-filled with glue and dried).

Depending on the type of gasket, there are certain installation nuances. After familiarizing yourself with them, everyone will be able to install thermal insulating tape on their door themselves.

Sealing metal doors

Since a metal door has a smooth surface, self-adhesive or simply adhesive seals are most often used. The sequence of actions is as follows:

The main mistake when working with silicone and rubber products is excessive tape tension. You cannot tighten the gasket during installation; it must be laid in a loose, “relaxed” state.

Video: how to properly glue a seal to an iron entrance door

Installation of seals in wooden doors

The seal is mounted on a wooden base in two ways - with glue (we discussed it above) and in a groove. The second method is considered more reliable. The procedure for installing the seal in this case is as follows:

When preparing a wooden door for sealing, the material should not be overly moistened. The glue will come off very quickly from damp wood. If moisture does get on the canvas or frame, you must wait until the wood is completely dry and only then glue the seal. To speed up drying, use a hair dryer.

Installing a seal in a plastic door

Plastic doors are equipped with seals at the manufacturing stage. In everyday life, it is often important to replace a used part. The door design includes a special molding (groove) for installing the seal on the adhesive. Therefore, to replace you need:

Installation of brush seals in sliding doors

Sliding doors are most often equipped with brush seals. Sometimes they are also called antithresholds. Due to design features, the installation of brushes differs from the installation of rubber and silicone gaskets. They are mounted at the bottom of the door or (less often) at the side end.

The installation diagram is very simple. If the door has a flat and smooth surface, the brushes are glued to double-sided tape. If there are doubts about the strength of the adhesive layer, the fixation can be further strengthened with screws. The work steps for installing a brush seal are as follows:

Some models of brushes are attached using brush holders - special metal or plastic profiles. Most often they are used on doors with large dimensions - in garages, warehouses, etc. In this case, a mounting profile is first installed, and then the brushes themselves are attached to it.

Video: installing a brush seal on a door

Large heat losses in the house occur through the door block. The reason could be a skewed box, worn out seals, or simply a thin fabric. To insulate a wooden door in a private house, comprehensive measures are taken to eliminate all defects.

Wood has low thermal conductivity, but the disadvantage of the material is its response to changes in humidity and temperature. The door block dries out, swells, warps and even cracks. There are three main reasons signaling the urgent need to insulate a wooden door in a country house:

1. Education gaps between the frame and the ends of the opening walls. Initially, during installation work, all gaps are foamed. Foam is a good insulator, but over time it loses its properties. Destruction occurs faster on the street side if platbands are not installed. Foam deteriorates from exposure to the sun. Another cause of cracks is the misalignment of the bowl.
2. Education gaps between the frame and the sash. The most common defect in a wooden entrance door occurs due to poor wood, poor-quality installation and long-term use. Often the owner himself becomes the culprit when he trims the swollen sash so that it closes better. After drying, the product decreases in size and a gap forms.
3. Wear of insulation. Each thermal insulation material is selected taking into account operational requirements. If they were not initially followed, the incorrectly selected insulation loses its effectiveness. For example, mineral wool quickly cakes, and due to dampness it decreases in volume.
   Any old wooden door, as well as a thin leaf, needs to be insulated.

Which insulation is better to choose?

To make an insulated wooden door with your own hands, you will need thermal insulation material, as well as material for the top decorative finish. The gaps are sealed with a sealant. When the question arises of how to insulate a wooden door in a private house, pay attention to the following materials:

• Styrofoam It is better to use it as internal insulation for wooden entrance doors. The slabs can be sheathed on the side of the room.

• Foam rubber It is considered the most common insulation, which is covered with artificial leather on top. Porous material allows you to create a volume effect. Foam rubber loses over time and crumbles into crumbs.

• Minvata does not burn, has good thermal insulation properties, but quickly cakes. When exposed to dampness, it accumulates moisture. Under the weight it slides off a vertical surface.

• Foamed polyethylene– isolon has a structure similar to foam rubber. The material has better thermal insulation properties and a longer service life. Isolon does not tolerate long-term exposure to direct sunlight.

• Polyurethane foam It is applied by spraying, firmly adheres to the wood, and penetrates into all cracks. The disadvantage is the impossibility of performing work without special equipment.

• Expanded polystyrene resembles polystyrene foam, but has improved characteristics. The material has self-extinguishing properties when exposed to open fire.

When choosing insulation for the doors of a wooden house, it is important to consider the thickness of the material. Thick layers will weigh down the sash and create an obstacle to normal closing. Thin is useless. You need to find a middle ground between these two parameters.

Types of seals for door frames

In addition to thermal insulation, you will need a sealant to seal the cracks around the perimeter of the canvas. It is a tape that differs in thickness and material:

• foam strip fixed with an adhesive base. The seal wears out quickly during the season.

• Silicone strip resistant to dampness, elastic. Over time, it begins to stick and tear into pieces.

• rubber rubber The seal for wooden doors will last for many years. The tape is resistant to wear, dampness, and mechanical stress.

• Thermoplastic- the best in terms of wear resistance, but difficult to install.

• Polyurethane strip sticks due to the sticky base. The characteristics are not inferior to a rubber seal.

Thermal insulation cannot be done without decorative finishing. Usually the insulation is covered with artificial leather. Fixed with furniture nails with a wide decorative head. On the inside, the canvas is sheathed with laminated MDF panels. Genuine leather trim looks beautiful, but the material is very expensive.

How to insulate a wooden door?

Begin insulating a wooden door with preparatory work:

• weakened hinges are secured with new elongated screws;
• if thick, heavy insulation is used, install an additional loop;
• eliminate box distortions and fabric defects;
• check the condition of the seal around the perimeter of the door frame at the junction with the walls;
• replace broken fittings: lock, handles, peephole, latch.

After all defects have been eliminated, installation of insulation on wooden entrance doors begins.

A frequently asked question is whether it is necessary vapor barrier when insulating wooden doors? When arranging the installation seams of the door block - it is necessary. The gap between the box and the wall is sealed with foam. To prevent the thermal insulation from deteriorating, the seam is covered from the street with PSUL tape. From the room side, the foam is destroyed by vapors. For protection, the seam is sealed with vapor barrier tape. A vapor barrier may be required for the product if it is installed in a damp room and mineral wool serves as thermal insulation.

Installing a seal on a door frame

The first salvation from heat loss is to install a seal on a wooden door to eliminate gaps between the sash and the frame. The tape is selected according to the thickness corresponding to the size of the gap. A thin strip is useless, and a thick strip will interfere with the normal closing of the canvas. Installation of the seal consists of the following steps:

1. Measure the gaps between the sash and the frame and select the thickness of the tape.
2. A self-adhesive seal is glued into the groove around the perimeter of the bowl.
3. The silicone tape is fixed with the staples of a construction stapler.

If the gap size is different around the perimeter of the door block, which often happens during deformation, the groove in the frame is widened and deepened. The edge of the blade is passed with a grinder. A two-layer or three-layer tape is glued to the new groove.

A properly glued seal should fit snugly around the entire perimeter of the sash and not interfere with its free closing.

Sealing with rollers

You can insulate the joint around the perimeter of the door frame using leatherette rollers with foam rubber inserted inside.

• Measure the length of all sides of the sash. According to the results, four strips of 100 mm wide are cut out of leatherette.
• The strips are placed against the edge of the sash with the wrong side up. Near the edge of the door leaf, the leatherette is fixed with a stapler.
• Thick foam rubber is placed inside each strip and a roll is formed.
• Secure the second edge of the leatherette with a stapler.

The door block becomes more beautiful, and all the gaps are hidden under the rollers.

Insulation of the canvas

To maximize the insulation of a wooden door with your own hands, use the method of double-sided thermal insulation. The sash is lined externally and internally. From the outside, the thermal insulation is covered with a material that is resistant to aggressive weather conditions. To insulate the front door from the inside, foam rubber and artificial leather are most often used. Insulation of a wooden door occurs in the following order:

• To make the work easier, the canvas is removed from its hinges and freed from old insulation, handles, locks and other fittings.
• A fragment larger than the dimensions of the sash is cut out of the thermal insulation material. It’s good if about 100 mm of foam rubber hangs from each side.

• The insulation along the edge of the door is fixed with staples. The hanging ends are cut with scissors.
• The foam is covered with artificial leather on top. Rollers are formed from the hanging edges and secured with furniture nails. The general plane of the canvas is decorated with a pattern. It turns out after nailing. The soft foam rubber between the wide caps forms beautiful bulges. Between the fasteners you can stretch wire or strips of dermantine sewn with a tube.

Upon completion of the work, install all the fittings and hang the insulated product on the box.

If polystyrene or polystyrene is chosen to insulate the door block, the final cladding is usually done with MDF. The sash increases in thickness and weight. The door block is additionally reinforced with hinges. A frame is nailed to the surface of the slatted sheet, forming cells. Foam boards are laid tightly, and the gaps between the slats are filled with foam. MDF is fixed on top.

You can glue thin slabs of foam to the door leaf without making a frame. For decorative finishing, artificial leather is used.

Installation of double doors

A good way to insulate your home is to install a double entry door. Due to the formation of an air space separating the room from the street, heat is retained. The disadvantage of this design is the reduction in space.

A threshold is set for the indoor unit. Insulation is additionally laid on the slopes between the doors. There are designs where two doors are hinged on one deep frame.

When insulating entrance doors, you must remember that moisture affects the canvas from the street side. Treatment with impregnation, painting with paint or varnish will help protect against dampness as much as possible. Drying oil creates good waterproofing.

Sections of the article:

Metal entrance doors are reliable protection against unauthorized entry into your home. However, in winter such structures allow cold to pass through and heat to escape from the room. This is how about 50% of the heat generated by the heating system is lost. Energy tariffs are quite high and therefore many are trying to somehow solve the problem of heat loss through cracks, as well as the noise problem.

Most people use highly efficient modern materials for insulation. But that's only half the story. To minimize heat loss, you should use a seal for metal doors. What is it, how to choose the appropriate option, how many varieties of these products are there? Answers to all questions in our article.

Tasks of door seals

The seal is an element of hardware for metal doors. The main task that such products solve is reliable protection of the room from the penetration of drafts, as well as various foreign odors. In addition, with the help of a seal for the front door, you can achieve high sealing - the door leaf will adhere to the frame with maximum density.

Requirements for sealing parts

There are certain requirements for sealing products.

This part must provide high tightness. A high-quality door system can reliably protect a home from extraneous noise from the entrance or from the street, from humidity, various small debris, and also from odors.

The sealing element must ensure a reliable and smooth closing process. The material from which such fittings are made must fully comply with certain standards for impermeability to moisture, odors, as well as shock-absorbing capabilities.

Such a fitting element completely eliminates the loud and sharp sounds with which a steel door usually closes. With a seal for metal doors, the closing process should be completely silent.

In winter, the part may be subject to significant temperature changes - the material must be able to withstand such loads. The sealant should not change its properties, namely harden or lose elasticity. A high-quality element works well together with the door leaf. During the closing process, even small gaps should not form.

Another requirement is fire safety. The rubber seal should prevent smoke from entering the room.

Types of seals

Products are differentiated depending on the material. Thus, there are rubber seals, products made of silicone, polyurethane, plastic and foam rubber.

Rubber products: advantages and features

The seal for metal doors of this type is highly resistant to various external factors, as well as durable.

Among the advantages of installing these products are a high level of moisture and air impermeability, high resistance to ultraviolet radiation, prolonged exposure to precipitation, and temperature changes. These elements also have a long service life and low price. Even in the worst conditions, the rubber will not crack.

They are made from special oil- and acid-resistant rubber of food or high-tech quality. The composition uses special modifiers that provide the material with high durability even in harsh conditions. Also, these elements can be made of special porous rubber. It retains heat much better than usual. Often, such solutions are self-adhesive, which greatly simplifies installation.

In most cases, such a seal is a hollow and fairly dense profile. Due to the fact that the rubber is thick, a reliable and tight fit of the door leaf to the frame is ensured.

Silicone sealing elements

This material is almost in no way inferior to rubber and is also ideal as a seal for metal doors. Among the advantages of silicone solutions are environmental safety and the absence of any substances harmful to humans. In addition, silicone does not cause allergies.

But in terms of durability, rubber is still better. Even with the help of special additives it is not possible to achieve high levels of material safety over time.

Polyurethane

Such products are easy to install, as they are equipped with a special adhesive layer. These elements are very rarely installed on metal doors - they do not have the necessary characteristics. In addition, the material is too dense and not durable for an entrance door. However, such products are characterized by a low price.

Mounting types

There are sealing elements with self-adhesive tape, with magnetic fastening, and also with an additional clamping mechanism. Let's look at each type in more detail.

Magnetic seals

This new product appeared on our construction markets relatively recently, but has already become quite popular.

A magnetic seal for metal doors is a special frame that exactly follows the contours of the door opening. The product consists of a special magnetic insert, as well as a soft sealing part. The material used is thermoplastic elastomer. It has several advantages - after the product is worn out, it can be sent for recycling. In addition, thermoplastic elastomer is highly resistant to adverse factors and temperature changes.

Magnetic seals are also resistant to ultraviolet radiation and moisture, reliably protecting the room from extraneous noise and drafts, dust and dirt. With these elements, the door will close quietly, and powerful magnets will attract the metal leaf to the door frame, thereby ensuring high tightness and silent closing.

For metal doors, triple seals should be used. The first two are located on the canvas, and the third is on the door frame.

Advantages and disadvantages

The production material used is thermoplastic elastomer, which replicates the properties of vulcanized rubber. Manufacturers assure that the service life of the product can reach up to 10 years, without any loss of quality.

Magnets help hide various defects that could have been made when installing the doors. These are gaps between the canvas and the box, backlashes. This device will help increase the strength characteristics of the door leaf.

There are also disadvantages - if the manufacturer used very powerful magnets, then children may have difficulty opening and closing the door. If the magnets are weak, then the structure will open in much the same way as a refrigerator door. Such products are no better than ordinary sealing fittings.

Another disadvantage is the high price and non-repairability. If there are any problems with sealing, you will not be able to solve the problem yourself. You will need the help of specialists.

Installation of magnetic seals

This process will not take much time and will not require any special skills. Of course, it is better if professionals do this. Such systems are installed on canvases where there are no decorative elements.

Although this seal for metal doors has many advantages, it is not suitable for everyone. The main thing is to choose the right strength of the permanent magnet so that children do not have any difficulties.

Features of the selection and installation of self-adhesive seals

When choosing such an element of fittings, it is necessary to clarify whether the adhesive layer is suitable at the time of purchase. It is also not recommended to use a foam rubber seal on a metal door - these elements have a low price, but they place serious loads on the front door. Foam rubber will quickly become unusable.

When choosing, it is very important to study all the information about the manufacturer and materials. Shelf life and other technical characteristics are also important. To check the tightness, just press on the product - if it quickly regains its shape, then you can buy it.

If the attachment to the adhesive layer seems unreliable, you can additionally glue the product with silicone glue. Color is also important when choosing - there are several different shades.

Installation involves gluing a seal around the perimeter of the door. Anyone can do this - the process is very simple.

How to choose a sealing element for a metal door

Before purchasing and installing any seals, you should select the shape and type of product. These materials are sold in roll form. The average length of one is 600 mm. For an ordinary, standard door, this length will be more than enough.

The shape is selected according to the gaps. They must be measured first. Plasticine will help with this. It should be wrapped in a bag and placed in the gap when the door is closed. Then, using measuring instruments, determine the length of the gap.

For thicknesses from 1 to 3 mm, a rectangular profile made of absolutely any materials is suitable. The best choice for a metal door is rubber. If the gap is more than 3 mm, then rubber with a profile type C, K or E should be used. If the length of the gap is from 3 to 5 mm, a profile type P or V is required. In all gaps larger than 5 mm, type D or type seals are used O.