Entrance Doors With A Mirror: Device, Accessories, Installation And Operation Features

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Entrance doors with a mirror: features and examples

Entrance doors with a mirror installed in the hallway are one of the directions of the interior design solution. The functional load of the door leaf increases, while the interior space is not cluttered. There are ardent supporters and violent opponents of this urban style. There is no unequivocal opinion and cannot be. Many manufacturers make mirrored doors, and the products are not stockpiled.

Content

• 1 Arrangement of entrance doors with a mirror

  1.1 Video: entrance door Torex Ultimatum with a mirror

• 2 Varieties of entrance doors with a mirror description and characteristics

  2.1 Video: full-length mirror on the front door

• 3 Making entrance doors with a mirror with your own hands

  3.1 Video: Mirror Cover Sticker

• 4 Features of the installation and operation of entrance doors with a mirror

  • 4.1 Repair and adjustment of entrance doors with a mirror

    • 4.1.1 Repair of hinges
    • 4.1.2 Defects in door locks
    • 4.1.3 Door handles
  • 4.2 Caring for entrance doors with a mirror
• 5 Accessories for entrance doors with mirror

• 6 Entrance doors with a mirror in the interior

  • 6.1 Photo gallery: entrance doors with a mirror in the interior
  • 6.2 Video: comparison of entrance doors with a mirror
• 7 Reviews

Arrangement of entrance doors with a mirror

The initial idea to make the door leaf mirror-like surface did not originate in design bureaus, but in cramped city apartments, which did not have enough space to install full-fledged furniture. Our grandfathers and grandmothers, living in the "Khrushchevs" of the last century, saved every square meter, and tried to make the most of the available living space. The result was such grotesque furniture combinations as mirrored doors, sleeping mezzanines in the hallway, etc. Manufacturers took advantage of the people's ingenuity, and began to produce models of entrance doors, equipped with a large mirror from the inside. We must give them their due, the idea has been modernized at a high technical level. Many technical nuances have been thought out, the negative consequences of operation have been taken into account and much more. For example,covering the glass surface with a special protective film that does not allow the mirror to crumble upon impact.

Large mirror in door body replaces furniture with mirrors

The device of a mirror door is based on the method of embedding glass in the door leaf. Mounting methods may differ, but not fundamentally. A special panel is mounted on the door that holds the mirror in the desired position. In the manufacture of mirrors, thin glasses are used, since excess weight negatively affects the operation of the hinges. The glass is specially heat treated and tempered to increase its strength and resistance to damage.

Mirrors are used both for entrance doors and interior doors

The panel used to fix the mirror surface is most often made of MDF or plastic under a laminated film. The design is designed so that the door is primarily in the interests of safety. Weakening of protective functions is not allowed. The mirror is a functional addition that does not in any way affect the reliability of the front door. The width of the panel takes into account the technological features of the door hardware, and therefore at least 20 cm remains from the edge of the sash to the mirror, which allows you to freely insert, replace and maintain locking equipment - a lock and opening handles.

The only change affects the peephole - it is located above the lock. But this only applies to an ordinary peephole. The webcam of the electronic peephole is located in its usual place - in the middle of the door leaf. If the house is equipped with an intercom or video surveillance system, the question of the location of the peephole is generally removed from the agenda.

This is how the front door looks from the outside, when the mirror interferes with installing the peephole in the middle of the canvas

There are two options for mounting mirrors:

• using mechanical fasteners;

  

  Several options for mounting mirrors using brackets or self-tapping screws with a special head and silicone gaskets

• with glue.

  

  The adhesive is evenly distributed over the entire area of the mirror insert

Adhesive is used in cases where the size of the mirror is small and it is not expected to be disassembled in the future. One of the options for gluing is the use of double-sided tape. The advantage of this method is the possibility of dismantling and replacing the mirror elements, as well as the elasticity of the fastening - the adhesive tape absorbs the load when the door is hit or slammed.

Mechanical fasteners are more convenient. With it, the mirror can be assembled and disassembled an unlimited number of times. If the mirror surface area exceeds 0.25 m ², the fastening is done mechanically.

Video: entrance door Torex Ultimatum with a mirror

Varieties of entrance doors with a mirror description and characteristics

A mirrored door can be made on the basis of any door leaf. Modern technologies make it possible to make a reflective insert on any surface. As you know, entrance doors are made from:

• glass;
• wood;
• metal;
• plastic and metal plastic.

The installation technology is practically the same, with the exception of glass doors, where instead of standard mirrors, mirror films are used.

Mirror films are used to decorate stained-glass windows and entrance glass doors

There are the following models of entrance doors:

1. With a mirror on the inside of the door leaf. Mirrors of any size are used, including full-length mirrors.
2. Door leaves with a mirror on the outside. Small decorative mirrors are mainly used.
3. Doors equipped with mirrors on both sides.

From the point of view of installation, mirror linings can be collapsible and non-collapsible.

Outside mirror elements are additionally covered with films that protect the glass from vandalism

According to experts who follow the market conditions, at present, mirror doors are experiencing a rapid growth in consumer demand. This is due to their functionality and the desire of designers to decorate the interior in non-standard ways. It is believed that positive characteristics prevail over negative ones.

The disadvantages of mirrored doors include:

• increasing loads on door hinges;
• fragility of the glass coating (fraught with domestic "accidents" through negligence);
• additional door care (dust settling on the mirror surface is striking);
• an increase in the cost of the front door (for example, Venetian mirrors almost double the price of a door);
• if the glass is damaged, it is difficult to repair the door at home; it has to be removed and transported to a specialized workshop.

The list of advantages of mirrored doors looks more modest, but differs in quality:

• mirrors, and especially large format, increase (and significantly) limited space;
• correctly selected lighting makes the hallway very bright even with a dim glow of the lamps;
• practical benefit: there is no need to install a separate mirror in the hallway, which is so necessary for everyone when leaving the house;
• the mirror construction "lightens" the massiveness of the entrance door.

In addition, as noted above, a door with a mirrored surface is a specific decor element that can radically change the perception of an interior.

Video: full-length mirror on the front door

Making entrance doors with a mirror with your own hands

It is possible to make mirrored doors at home. You just need to take into account that it will not be possible to achieve factory quality. And before you start making a mirror lining, you need to ask yourself the main question: “Will the door hinges withstand the increased load? And if they do, then for how long? This is necessary in order to be prepared for unexpected surprises:

• increased squeaks of the door when opening and closing;
• distortion of the door leaf, with all the ensuing consequences - lowering noise insulation and increasing heat loss through the front door;
• sudden jamming of the hinges or the lock and the need for their urgent replacement.

Of course, all this may not happen if the front door is equipped with powerful awnings that can withstand additional loads. But, as a rule, when manufacturing a door block, the mass of the existing sash is taken into account. Few manufacturers use hinges with a large margin of safety.

Door hinges have a certain load limit and resource

Internal hinges used in metal and plastic doors are especially sensitive to overloads. Their design is more complex and vulnerable. They work very well against hacking, since they are practically inaccessible to an attacker. But internal operational overloads do not tolerate well. For example, if high-quality hinges work out 500 thousand openings and closings at a standard (nominal) load, then with an increase in the weight of the canvas by 10-15%, the resource is reduced to 300 thousand cycles. It is worth weighing the pros and cons well before deciding to "upgrade" your front door. Reinstalling or replacing internal hinges costs a lot. However, like the cost of the loops themselves.

Internal door hinges are sensitive to operational overloads

If confidence in the power of the existing door sheds is not in doubt, it will certainly not be difficult to make your door mirrored.

This requires:

• mirror of the right size and quality;
• special glue that does not damage the amalgam;
• external decorative strip or frame with a set of fasteners.

Note that the size of the mirror should not exceed some limits. So, the distance from the edge of the door to the glass cannot be less than 15 - 20 cm. This is necessary in order to conveniently use the door lock and handle. Sometimes the glass is fixed with a frame that is fixed to the door leaf. In this case, it is unacceptable for screws to get into the area of the mortise lock, as they can damage the locking mechanism.

The mirror should not interfere with the coordinated work of the door mechanisms

For example, if the dimensions of the door leaf of the entrance door are 2x0.8 m, the width of the mirror is chosen no more than 0.4 m. When it is located in the center, 20 cm must be subtracted from each edge: 0.8 - (0.2x2) = 0, 4 m. There are no restrictions on height, but, as a rule, at least 20 cm recede from the lower side. And in order to maintain symmetry, it is advisable to retreat the same 20 cm from above. As a result, you get a mirror canvas with dimensions of 40 cm wide and 160 cm high.

The mirror is selected from thin but tempered glass. The thickness should not exceed 3 mm. Additional coating of the mirror surface with a transparent film impairs the clarity of the reflection. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a mirror sheet only of good quality.

The installation sequence for turning the front door into a mirror is as follows:

1. The canvas must be removed from the hinges and placed in a horizontal position, at a height convenient for work (80–90 cm from the floor). The inner side is facing up.

   

   It is much more convenient to mount the mirror in a horizontal position

2. Markings are applied to the sash, in accordance with which the mirror will be attached. The exact location of the prepared mirror cover is determined in accordance with its real dimensions.

3. Further, several options are possible:

   • Fixing the canvas with glue or adhesive double-sided tape.
   • Fastening with metal profiles, which are mounted as an inverted P in relation to the top of the leaf. A rubber seal should be placed between the profiles and the glass - it compensates for mirror vibrations. A gasket under the reverse side of the mirror will also not be superfluous.
   • Combined fastening method, which partially uses both glue and support frames-frames.
   • Other ways of fixing. If, for example, it is possible to drill holes in the mirror, then you can fix it with self-tapping screws with decorative caps directly to the material of the canvas - metal, wood or plastic.
4. Installation of the leaf in the door block. The operation is carried out in the reverse order of disassembly. The canvas is installed in a vertical position and attached to the hinges.

The front door with a mirror is at your service!

Video: Mirror Overlay Sticker

Features of installation and operation of entrance doors with a mirror

Installation of doors with mirrors does not fundamentally differ from the installation of similar doors without mirrors. The only condition for a successful installation is care and accuracy during assembly. Brittle glass can crack or even break if handled carelessly.

Since doors with mirrors are different - metal, wood or plastic, the installation procedure may differ slightly. In addition, the difference lies in the fastening material and, in part, in the tool used.

The general algorithm for installing the door block remains unchanged.

1. Preparatory work. The doorway is cleared, the installation space is freed. The dimensions of the hole in the wall are prepared in such a way that the technological gap between the frame and the wall is within 2–5 cm. There should be no debris or foreign objects around the doorway. The door is delivered directly to the assembly site.

   

   The opening is cleaned of plaster residues and other foreign materials

2. If the door block was transported assembled (which is most likely, since there is less risk of damage), the door leaf is first removed from the hinges. The door frame is unpacked and prepared for installation.

3. The frame is installed in the opening and, using a hydraulic level and plastic wedges, is fixed in working position. In this case, special attention should be paid to the vertical and horizontal orientation of the box. The maximum permissible vertical error is 3 mm in height (or 1 mm per 1 running meter).

   

   The procedure for installing a metal entrance door involves a partial disassembly of the door block

4. The door frame is aligned to one side of the wall according to the planned position. If the door opens outward, it is recommended to install the frame flush with the inner plane of the doorway.
5. Pre-fixing of the frame is carried out using polyurethane foam. In this case, polyurethane with a low shrinkage coefficient is used. The filling of the gaps is done carefully, since this layer also serves as a thermal break, which will not allow the cold to penetrate into the building.
6. When the foam dries completely, the main fastening of the box to the walls is carried out. Here it is important to use anchor clamps with a diameter of at least 10 mm. Metal doors are often reinforced with welded joints, especially if the wall is made of reinforced concrete and it is possible to weld the frame to block reinforcement.
7. After the door frame is fully fixed, the door leaf is mounted. It is hung on hinges and, if necessary, the position is adjusted. Install a lock, handle, and other hardware components, including a door closer.

8. The last stage is the installation of platbands and the production of slopes. It is important to understand that decorative plastic slopes should not be used in this case. Anyway, from the outside of the door. Slopes are made from a cement-sand mortar with the addition of reinforcing additives (such as fibroplastic reinforcement).

   

   Platbands are installed last.

If the mirror surface is covered with a protective film, it is not recommended to remove it before the installation is completed. In general, the film is removed immediately before the door is put into operation. If, after installing doors with a mirror, repair or construction work continues in the room, the glass must be covered with a sheet of plywood or fiberboard.

Repair and adjustment of entrance doors with a mirror

As with any other mechanisms, faults occur with entrance mirrored doors. It is pertinent to note here that most of these doors are premium products (premium, luxury or elite). Manufacturers are interested in accompanying the door during operation. Installation, warranty and post-warranty service is stipulated in the sales contract. And for a consumer inexperienced in technology, this is a boon. The specialists of the supplier company take full responsibility for the serviceability of the doors. The necessary preventive and routine inspections are carried out, the position of the door leaf is adjusted as the hinges are lapped, etc.

On the other hand, if there is a sensible desire to save money, you can monitor the door operation yourself. To do this, you just need to know the main vulnerabilities and ways to eliminate damage.

The main risk group includes mechanisms that experience dynamic loads, that is, they move and rub. These are hinges, locks and doorknobs.

Hinge repair

If the door leaf does not close well, clings and rubs against the threshold, then the hinges are sagging. This is a fairly common "disease" of the suspension. There is nothing catastrophic in this, you just need to react in a timely manner and not allow progress. Sagging is characterized by the weakening of the fastening of the hinges to the canvas or frame. Most often seen at wooden doors. Changes in moisture or temperature changes cause the wood to shrink or swell. The screws on which the hinges are "set" loose and this leads to a loosening of the fastening.

To adjust the hinges, a screwdriver with matching slots is selected

To eliminate the malfunction, you need to return the door leaf to its original working position. To do this, it opens at 90 ^on to get access to the hinges. Loose screws are tightened with a screwdriver or screwdriver (at low speeds). So that the weight of the door leaf does not affect the position of the frame, a board or brick of the required size is placed under it.

In the case of plastic mirrored doors, in which internal adjustable awnings are used, the position of the leaf just needs to be adjusted. The delivery set always includes a special adjustment key and instructions for its use. The door position is corrected in three directions:

• in width;
• by height;
• in depth of fit.

As a rule, the wrench has the shape of a small-diameter hexagon, and there are adjustment holes on the hinges, which are very easy to understand by following the instructions. By turning the key in different directions, the optimal position of the door leaf is achieved. When adjusting, we are talking about an offset by millimeters, so turning the key a few degrees restores the original position of the door.

The instructions schematically show the main adjustments of the hinges on plastic doors

Metal doors are rarely susceptible to such a "disease", the hinges are securely welded to both the leaf and the frame. The only likely possibility is a defect in the hinges themselves or excessive wear. In such cases, if there is no improvement after lubrication, the hinges must be changed. And it is better to invite an experienced welder with inverter welding equipment, because not everyone can do it on their own (you need a lot of experience and honed skills).

Door lock defects

Mostly expensive and reliable locks are installed in doors with mirrors. This is especially true for models with large mirrored panels that block direct access to the lock mechanism.

In case of problems with the lock, the best solution is to replace it. There are numerous cases when people, hoping at random, continue to exploit the damaged castle. Sooner or later, funny situations happen when a tenant cannot get into his own house. At the same time, the price for calling emergency assistance and the time spent is three times more expensive than the timely repair of the lock. Therefore, as soon as the first signs of problems with the lock appear, you need to do one of two things:

1. Lubricate thoroughly. If this does not help, call a specialist home for diagnostics and repair.

2. Replace the lock. Purchase a similar model with the same seat. Dismantle the old lock and install a new one.

   

   Disassembly of the lock is carried out from the end of the door leaf

If the mirror surface blocks access to the lock mechanism, do not try to dismantle the canvas yourself. Better to contact a service company. This is one of the inconveniences of doors with large mirrors. But in fairness, it should be noted that such situations happen extremely rarely. And if it turns out that the breakdown is the result of a factory defect, then all costs are borne by the manufacturer.

If access is open, the lock is changed as usual. The fastening screws are unscrewed from the end of the door, the handle is removed (if it is connected to the lock), the lock is removed from the door leaf. After that, a visual inspection is performed. Perhaps the cause of the problem is obvious - foreign objects, chips or clots of dirt have entered. In this case, it is enough to clean the mechanism and return it to its place. But if any functional units are broken, they must be replaced.

Doorknobs

Despite the simplicity of the handle mechanism, comfort and convenience when using the door depends on it. The handle should not be loose or “idle”. If such a situation arises, the handle is disconnected and the cause of the problem is investigated. A common reason often lies in poor quality material from which the handle drive rod is made. Soft metal is erased, a backlash appears, and it is impossible to restore it at home. The troubleshooting method is to replace the handle.

Dismantling and installation of the door handle is carried out using a Phillips screwdriver

Caring for front doors with a mirror

Competent technical care and timely maintenance will extend the service life of the mirror door many times over. Each model has its own characteristics, which are reflected in the technical documentation. But there are also general rules of care.

1. Once a year, a visual inspection of the condition of the door unit is carried out. The frame and door leaf are examined, the condition of the coating and mirror surface is assessed. It is also necessary to pay attention to the condition of the rubber seals. Over time, they wear out and require periodic replacement. If defects are found, measures are taken to eliminate them.
2. At least once a year, all rubbing mechanisms are lubricated: hinges, lock, door handle, door closer. The lubricant recommended by the manufacturer is used. It is advisable to process the hinges with a thick graphite lubricant. Light anti-freezing oils of the VD-40 type are used to lubricate the lock. When making lubrication, it is necessary to ensure that excess oil does not spread over the door surface. Doing so can damage the outer coating and cause defects in the mirror.

3. At least once a month (or if necessary) clean the front door from dust and dirt. For washing, use detergents without abrasive particles. The mirror is treated with glass cleaners based on volatile solvents (alcohol, ether, etc.). It is strictly forbidden to use the following substances:

   • chemically active reagents containing acids or alkalis;
   • solvents based on acetone, gasoline or concentrated vinegar;
   • use brushes with hard metal bristles, scrapers, spatulas, etc.

Accessories for entrance doors with a mirror

The components include a set of necessary accessories related to the operation of mirror doors. The standard set of fittings is hinges, a lock, a door handle. If necessary (or desired), the kit is supplemented with a door peephole, a door closer, a door stop that limits the opening angle of the door leaf.

For mirrored doors, due to their specificity, details are selected that:

• organically fit into the overall design;
• are durable and reliable.

Compliance with the first condition contributes to the harmonious appearance of the door. The second is necessary to ensure a long service life. Since disassembly and repair of the door unit is associated with additional costs and inconveniences, the quality of all parts is of paramount importance.

Mirrored doors are equipped with proven samples of door hardware, made of high quality steel, with minimal use of plastic elements

Entrance doors with a mirror in the interior

Mirrors of various shapes, colors and sizes will decorate any interior. Smart design can work wonders. Enlarge small spaces, harmonize large ones. The use of mirrored entrance doors brings distinctiveness to the hallway setting, increasing the level of comfort and practicality.

Photo gallery: entrance doors with a mirror in the interior

Large size mirrors on entrance doors expand space

When leaving a house or apartment, it is convenient to inspect your clothes

Office version of the entrance mirrored door emphasizes the style of the decor

The long corridor, at the end of which there is a door with a mirror, seems to be endless

Video: comparison of entrance doors with a mirror

Reviews

Regardless of which mirrored doors are installed at the entrance, factory-made or self-made, do not forget about the dangers of broken glass. No matter how reliably the mirror is protected, the possibility of mechanical damage always exists. Therefore, you need to use the door with caution, avoiding direct hits on the mirror surface.