Think all the problems that appear after installing an aluminum door are caused by poor installation? Not at all! Many mistakes can be made even at the stage of choosing the door itself. Some mostly affect the appearance, while others can lead to drafts — which means you’ll pay more for heating in winter. Let’s look at 4 critical mistakes that can make buying an aluminum door feel like the wrong decision.
Incorrect choice of door type
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Before choosing the right option, you need to determine which series you need — a standard door series or a patio door series. What’s the difference? Standard door systems do not have multi-point locking. Patio door systems are designed similarly to window systems — with multi-point locking, which ensures higher air sealing. The right type depends on where the door will be installed. For patio exits, bedrooms, and other rooms where thermal insulation is important, it’s best to install doors from the patio series. These doors typically open inward. However, there are different configurations available — outward opening, handles on both sides, and “thumb turn” handles. These are less critical details and can be decided at the time of purchase.
Standard door systems are suitable for installation at home/apartment entrances, utility rooms, and other auxiliary spaces where airtightness is not critical. Buyers often ask: “Do standard doors always have air leaks?” Creating an absolutely airtight door unit is impossible. There may be slight air movement near the hinges or at the threshold. Installing multi-point locks improves the airtightness of such doors, but doesn’t make them completely draft-free.
Pay attention! A standard door can open inward or outward from the room, while a patio door — only inward. If the room is too tight or its layout doesn’t allow the door panel to move freely, you should install a model with outward opening. This applies to the same utility rooms, walk-in closets, and storage areas, where there is usually very little space.
Incorrect choice of hinges
Let’s say you’ve already studied your home or apartment design and decided where to install standard doors and where to install patio doors. But that’s not all! For door systems, it’s very important to choose the right hinges. In my practice, I’ve encountered situations many times when the customer left this task to the contractor. As a result, they had to either spend much more than initially calculated or redo the construction. Why did this happen?
The thing is, three types of hinges are used for installing aluminum doors — standard, roller, or concealed. They differ greatly not only in design but also in price: the difference can amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Standard hinges cost the least but look unaesthetic, roller hinges are a kind of golden mean with a good price-to-quality ratio, and concealed hinges are the most expensive but don’t spoil the door’s appearance.
Of course, it’s not always worth taking cheap hinges. For example, if it’s a premium entrance door or a large glass patio construction, I would recommend installing it on roller hinges, and if the budget allows — on concealed ones. They won’t spoil the door panel’s appearance and will provide additional security.
Poor quality lock
So, you’ve chosen patio constructions with perimeter locking for living rooms, and ordered more expensive roller or concealed hinges for standard doors. Maybe it’s worth saving and installing a cheap single-point lock? If your answer is yes, you’ve made the third mistake.
If the opening leads to a living space, the system needs to be equipped with a multi-point lock. Yes, it costs a bit more, but the room won’t be cold, and the door panel itself will work better.
Careless choice of door closer
I’ve often observed how a customer, having chosen an entrance construction, asked to equip it with a door closer, but didn’t specify exactly what type should be installed. Many generally think that all these mechanisms are the same, and they’re mistaken: there are differences in price, convenience of use, and design. An aluminum door can be equipped with:
- Standard scissor arm closer — the most affordable option, but not very aesthetically pleasing. Best suited for doors leading to utility rooms, storage areas, walk-in closets, or other technical spaces.
- With sliding arm — a good middle ground offering optimal price-to-quality ratio. This type is surface-mounted and still visible, but looks more refined and neat.
- Concealed — the most expensive option, but completely hidden from both inside and outside, as it’s built directly into the door leaf. If you’re installing a premium-class entrance door, a concealed closer is clearly the best choice.
Note: Any door closer model can be equipped with a hold-open device. With it, you won’t have to prop the door open when bringing in a table or a sofa, for example. In some cases, this function is built-in at the factory. Be sure to check whether it’s included or needs to be ordered separately.
These are the most common — and most critical — mistakes people make when choosing aluminum entry systems. Now you know what to pay attention to before buying such a door.
