Armored doors are undoubtedly the most secure access points to a home in existence. In fact, they are designed to effectively withstand opening attempts made with powerful tools and sophisticated techniques.
But what exactly are they, how do they work and what are their defining characteristics? In ParaTuReforma we will address all these questions and, in addition, we will explain how they are installed and how they differ from armored doors. Do not miss it.
What are armored doors?
When we talk about armored doors we refer to security doors with at least two steel plates inside (one on each side). In addition, they are always installed on metal frames, which gives them a very high level of resistance.
All this means that, at present, security doors are security doors most reliable, robust and resistant that can be installed in private homes. What’s more, they have a series of integrated locks and bolts that make it very difficult to force them open.
Differences with the armored ones
It is possible that, on some occasions, you have talked about armored and armored security doors as if they were synonyms. However, this is a mistake, since there are important differences between the two. Let’s take a look at them:
- Most armored doors have a single steel plate inside. In fact, this is the reason why, at first glance, you can perceive that they have less thickness than armored doors.
- Armored doors are installed on wooden frames that are sometimes covered with steel. However, armored door frames are made of a single piece of this type of metal alloy. Therefore, they are much more resistant.
- Armored door locks and bolts are much simpler. For example, armored doors have anchoring points to the floor, to the upper part of the frame and to both sides. On the other hand, this is almost never the case with armored doors.
As we will see below, the installation of armored doors is also much more complex than that of an armored door. This means that, in most cases, the presence of one or more specialized professionals is necessary.
Main characteristics
There is a characteristic that differentiates armored doors from any other type of entrance door to a home. To receive this consideration, they have to reach a grade 3, 4 or 5 of anti-burglary (breakage of the security measures that protect a property) according to UNE 1627:2011 standards.
But, beyond this, the characteristics of this type of doors are the ones we have already mentioned to differentiate them from armored doors. As a reminder, we can say that they are:
- Double steel plate system inside the door structure.
- Pre-frame and frame made of steel in one piece.
- Maximum security locks with anchor points on the sides, top and bottom.
In addition, all the components of the armored doors are made of high quality materials. In addition, they are very heavy, so their installation usually requires the labor of several people. There are models that can exceed 120 kilograms in weight.
Important parts of armored doors
Security doors that are classified as armored are made up of a series of essential components. Let’s take a look at them:
- Frame. It is the structure that fixes the door to the building. As mentioned before, it must be made of a single piece of steel.
- Pre-frame. It is placed over the frame and its function is to hold the door itself. Like the frame, it is also made from a single piece of steel.
- Lock. The cylinder is the hole through which the key is inserted. It is usually protected against opening by drilling and common methods such as bumping. It also houses a series of gears that allow it to activate the different locks and anchors.
- Anchors. Once the key is turned inside the lock, the door deploys a series of metal elements that secure it to the frame. Both on the floor and on the top and sides. In this way, its opening is almost impossible.
- Hinges. These are the parts that allow you to open and close the door. They have been designed so that you can move the dozens of kilos they weigh with total ease.
- Peephole. It is the element that allows you to see who is knocking at the door from the inside. Nowadays, electronic peepholes are becoming more and more fashionable.
Installation of armored doors
The installation process of an armored door is relatively long and complex. If you had an armored door before, you will have to replace the wooden frame and put the steel one, which will entail a small masonry work. In that case, it can take up to 5 hours, since you will have to wait for the construction materials to dry. However, if you already had another armored door, this will not be necessary, so the figure will be reduced to about 3 hours.
In any case, you will certainly need help. To give you an idea, while the weight of an armored door is around 50 kilograms, the weight of an armored door can easily exceed 120 kilograms. In fact, it is not uncommon for them to reach 200 kilograms when installed in single-family houses. All this can make that, in the end, the best idea is to call a specialized professional.
At this point, it has been sufficiently clear that armored doors offer the highest possible level of security to homes. Therefore, if you have to change the one your house currently has, it is best to go for them. At ParaTuReforma we can lend you a hand when it comes to choosing the most suitable one according to your budget and the characteristics of the property. What are you waiting for to contact us?
