For armored doors we mean a real one “defense tool” from break-in attempts and is therefore also defined, with a more technical expression, as an anti-intrusion door .

This has particular characteristics that distinguish it from other types of doors.

Armored doors are made up of the following components.

1. Subframe in thick steel sheet, usually mm. 2 or 3
2. door made from a double 1 mm and/or 1.5 mm thick steel sheet, in some cases also from a third steel sheet to protect the lock and its closing mechanisms;
3. Steel piston armored door diverters usually fit into the bottom and top of the door frame. They can be with 1 piston.

Or double piston

4. armored door frame is made of 2.5 mm thick steel profiles (often also 3 and 4 mm), having one or more Z-shaped folds, screwed to the counterframe if it is a frame made of press-bent sheet metal;
5. classification according to UNI EN 1627/1630;
6. generally a mechanical lock classified with UN EN 12209, combined with a triple bit lock protected by 1 or 2 manganese steel plates.
7. It happens that armored doors are opened extremely easily, when you carelessly close the door without giving the classic locks and if the armored door is not equipped with an "anti-card" device, you easily find yourself face to face with thieves!!

The anti-card device is an essential accessory.

8. Opening limiter allows partial opening of the door, increasing safety.

9. Magic eye or peephole in brass-plated metal for armored door.

The latest generation digital peephole connected to a camera is the evolution of the classic metal peephole. The installation does not require authorizations or warning signs.

It is necessary to carry out maintenance and regulate the armored door, to guarantee its validity and correct functioning.

The average weight of an armored door is around 65 kg, which is supported entirely by the hinges. The hinge is made up of two elements: one fixed to the frame and one to the door itself. The two elements rotate by means of a pin inserted in the middle. So, it is essential that they are resistant and fully functional.

It is possible that over time and with use, the hinge dowels dislodge, canceling the perfect alignment between the door and the frame. In these cases it is necessary to adjust them as soon as possible, because you could run into complications such as:

-  Let him scratch the floor

-  That it is not possible to insert the sends

-  Let there be drafts

How do you adjust a security door?

To adjust the security door height:

1)  11) first of all you must ensure that there is no dust or debris on the zipper,

2)  22) screw or unscrew the adjustment dowel in height (usually with a 6mm hex wrench),

3)  33) When you can no longer rotate, it means that the armored door has been raised sufficiently to make it work properly again.

To adjust a door in width, you need to align the hinge bolts by a few turns, so that you can adjust the door as precisely as possible. To carry out this procedure, however, two people are needed, so that one unscrews the bolts and the other aligns the door.

Here is the diagram how to adjust the height and width of the armored door.

If instead the zipper squeaks,

it is necessary to lift and then remove the door, extract the two pins and clean them carefully, since very often the creaking of the hinges is due to annoying films of dirt and lack of lubrication.

subsequently for cleaning and lubrication use a synthetic oil spray. Do not use cooking oil for any reason.

How do you make sure the seals work properly?

Door seals can essentially be of two types: sponge and rubber. The former are very soft and adapt easily to the frame, while the rubber ones are slightly more complicated to position, precisely because they are more rigid. It is very common for door seals to wear out, and this often causes a malfunction of the door itself, such as drafts and a greater perception of external noises.

To check that they work correctly, you can simply insert a sheet of paper between the door and the frame and try to extract it: if we encounter resistance, the gasket is firm and intact, but if the sheet slips easily away, the gasket of the Our door is worn out and we need to complete a change of the same gasket. It is advisable to seek help from a professional to proceed with this operation.

What is a floating threshold seal?

A mobile threshold gasket or more simply, mobile threshold, can sometimes be the greatest enemy of drafts, in fact it is essentially a cold draft gasket That:

1) Attenuates external noises

2) Effectively reduces drafts

3) It has a very reasonable price, usually around 25-30 euros

Its maintenance is very simple, just unscrew the piston a few complete turns to ensure that the door rotates freely.

What if the handle doesn't go back up?

What characterizes the armored door is precisely the closing system, therefore lock and diverters, ed it is necessary to keep everything in maximum functionality . In the long run, it is possible that the armored door handle does not go back up, after being lowered, it does not go back up, this defect depends on the spring, which may be broken or dislocated. In these cases it is necessary to proceed with a change of the entire lock, to avoid further problems.

If, however, the latch (slide) of the lock does not move, there could essentially be two reasons:

-  The spring designed to keep the latch in position has broken and no longer holds the latch under tension;

-  The handle pushes on the panel that connects it to the lock.
If the lock throws do not fit well into the frame,

you may have a problem with the operation of the lock. We can see this from the fact that if the locks do not come in only when the door is closed, the armored door hinges only need to be adjusted, but if the problem also exists with the door open, it is a good idea to have the door checked by a technician.

Types of armored door lock.

Double bit lock:

with this type of lock it is usually used in class 2 armored doors or rarely in class 3 armored doors

with these locks, it may happen that one of the internal slats becomes bent or misaligned, in these cases, it is advisable to change the entire lock, since lubricating would be useless.

It is advisable not to have this type of lock, because it is very unreliable and efficient . If you have a door with this type of lock, it is much better to change it and replace it with a more modern and secure lock.

If the pins resist when you try to turn the key, never lubricate with oil , it would incorporate the dust present on the surface, causing the springs to block inside the cylinder, rather try with a dry graphite-based spray.

The double bit lock, lately, does not guarantee security! as the "latest generation" thieves manage to open it with the so-called Bulgarian key! SEE THE VIDEO

How the Bulgarian key works: it allows you to reconstruct the profile of the key of a "double bit" lock without having the key and without dismantling the lock of the armored door. The Bulgarian lock pick is made up of two tools, a tie rod and a "soft comb key", or even the most sophisticated models are made up of a single tool that integrates the two functions: the so-called "magic key".

The operation is the same: "the tie rod/tensor tightens the lock carriage, as the key normally does when it is rotated, after which the soft comb key is inserted, which has a shape compatible with that of the original key and teeth that have the possibility of moving. By slightly moving the tensioner/tie rod and the soft comb key, the small vibrations move the teeth of the soft key until it takes on the shape of the "original" key.

Once the first half of the key is obtained, the operation is repeated for the other half of the key. By putting the two shapes of the Bulgarian key together, the evil-intentioned person has the entire key to the lock at his disposal, so much so that he could open and close the armored door.

Even how easy it is to obtain this tool, you can also find it on eBay just enter the following search text: ebay Bulgarian key or even just Bulgarian key.

See how easy it is to open an armored door with a double bit lock!!

The lock with the European cylinder is very different

European cylinder lock.

The European cylinder lock is usually used in class 3 armored doors, class 4 armored doors or class 5 armored doors or even in class 6 armored doors

How do you replace a European cylinder?

The European cylinder lock is much more reliable and resistant than an old double-bitted one. It is likely that over the years the lock will wear out and stop working, and in these cases it is always better to replace it.

The change must be carried out strictly with the door open and with the throws inserted in the lock and is done following one simple procedure :

1. We remove the plate around the old cylinder;

We unscrew all the screws;

3. We turn the key about 15 degrees, both to the right and to the left, to ensure that the cam aligns, making it easier to extract the cylinder;
4. We carefully disassemble and reassemble the cylinder, exchanging the old one with the new one;
5. We insert the new cylinder all the way in;

6. Let's do the "litmus test", giving the sends with the construction key , if everything works correctly, we proceed;
7. We tighten all the screws well, which will serve to guarantee stability to the cylinder;
8. Finally, we reassemble the plate.

We open the sealed package with the definitive keys and give the keys with the definitive keys... as soon as this operation is carried out, the construction site key will no longer work and only the definitive keys will work.

The most modern type of lock is undoubtedly the electronic one, or electric lock , it  It works like the classic one, except that a remote control is used to unlock the lock, or it can be operated via a numeric code, recreating the key effect.

Usually the electric lock is used in armored gates or doors and guarantees the same security , if not superior, to the classic key lock, but with more convenience , such as the possibility of opening our armored door even from a distance of 2-3 meters.

In case of emergency the armored door can always be opened with the keys supplied:

There home automation it is the new frontier of habitability and aims to:

1. Reduce management costs
2. improve safety
3. simplify the design, installation, maintenance of armored doors and the use of technology
4. improve the quality of life
5. convert old environments and old systems.

Mounting an electric lock is actually very simple, just:

1)  disassemble the cylinder on the existing lock and fix it

2)  apply the motor unit including card on the cylinder stem up to the lock stop.

Here is an advert on eBay for a lock unit to be applied to an already installed armored door. GO TO THE ADVERTISEMENT

Magnetic contact

In high-end door models, lately the magnetic contact is supplied as standard to be able to connect the home alarm. Or even with a simple connection with Alexia or GOOGLE you can automatically send an email. GO TO THE ADVERTISEMENT

Cleaning and maintenance of wooden cladding panels.

Each armored door is equipped with a covering panel, which normally does not require maintenance, but it is very important that it is kept clean since, being made of laminate, you could encounter bad odors or stains.

It is advisable to clean once a month (it only takes a few minutes) with a simple damp cloth and aggressive products are strictly not recommended!!!

Most spray products on the market do not carry out any protective action and can even be harmful, drying out the surface of the wood.

For ordinary maintenance the following are sufficient:

• A cloth moistened with water
• Neutral soap for the most stubborn stains
• Another solution equally effective, for ordinary maintenance:

90% WATER 10% ALCOHOL

Pass a clean, well-wrung cloth over the entire surface of the wood to remove all traces of dirt and dust.

Check corners and crevices carefully to remove any dust deposits.

Go over the entire surface of the door with a clean, dry cloth to remove any traces of humidity. for both procedures arm yourself with a little patience.

At this stage, aggressive chemical products should not be used, which could deteriorate the appearance.

A simple cloth with a little water does the job perfectly.

If there are marks, fingerprints or stubborn stains, simply use neutral soap. Marseille soap can also be used without problems.

An armored door lasts a lifetime, but like anything it undergoes wear and tear, so a little armored door maintenance every year is essential.