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Side entrance doors are not a minor matter

There are fewer differences between front doors and side entrance doors than is often assumed.

Side entrance doors lead to gardens, courtyards or garages. Because they are usually located on the (rear) side of the building, they are considered less important. Nevertheless, there are hardly any differences to front doors in terms of the requirements for burglary protection, thermal insulation and fittings. We at Käuferle provide an overview.

Käuferle side entrance doors: customised security and burglary protection

Value inside.

Käuferle is a leading German manufacturer of garage doors, partition systems and enclosures. For many years, we have also produced a wide range of windows, house doors and side entrance doors. We manufacture the latter from PVC-U - a robust, weatherproof and easy-care material that helps to protect your assets in a cost-effective way.

Well thought-out craftsmanship - Made in Germany

Side entrance doors from Käuferle are based on sophisticated designs that offer the right solution for every installation situation in detached houses or apartment blocks. They are also available in a wide range of dimensions and with many equipment details - always in high quality workmanship and with all important security components.

Customised security and burglary protection

All our front and side entrance doors are customised according to specific project specifications and installation situations. We offer side entrance doors that not only provide a high level of burglary protection, but also offer a wide range of colours, shapes, fittings and special sizes to give you plenty of scope for design. We are also happy to assist you with the planning on request.

Materials and surfaces

Buying side entrance doors - what material options are available?

Whether in your own home or in apartment blocks, side entrance doors usually lead to the outside at ground level or in the basement. Even if homeowners often buy models with a simple design, side entrance doors are available in the same materials and surfaces as front doors: mainly wood, PVC (also with wood decor) and aluminium - each with or without a glass panel.

Wood and wood decor foils for side entrance doors

Wood is a natural material with excellent thermal insulation values that also creates a cosy atmosphere. However, wood is not always recommended for side entrance doors. This is especially true if they are located in rather damp outdoor areas or in the basement. Wood decor foils for PVC-U frames and door panels offer a real alternative. Wood decors offer a high degree of design freedom and are very similar to real wood in terms of look and feel, but are much easier to clean.

PVC-U side entrance doors - best value for money

Like PVC-U windows, PVC-U side entrance doors are not only robust, but also weatherproof, easy to clean and light-resistant, meaning that - unlike wooden doors - they do not need to be painted regularly. They are usually made of white PVC, but are available in every conceivable colour and with a wide variety of decorative foils. In terms of thermal insulation properties and burglar resistance, side entrance doors made of PVC-U, timber or aluminium are equivalent.

Design side entrance doors: e.g. with glass panels or in modern anthracite

Side entrance doors do not have to be white. In terms of design freedom, they offer the same wide range of options as front doors: for example, with wooden decorative foils, with glass panels with or without glazing bars or with surfaces in modern anthracite, which ensures an elegant appearance. Anthracite is particularly popular for side entrance doors because the colour tone harmonises perfectly with white façades and anthracite-coloured window frames.

Security and burglary protection for side entrance doors

Side entrance doors must be as burglar-proof as front doors

Because side entrance doors are usually located in areas of the building that are difficult to see, they should not be neglected in terms of burglary protection. Unlike windows, they are easily accessible at ground level and are also often concealed by hedges or privacy screens. Burglar-proof side entrance doors have high-quality frames, panels and fittings and ideally fulfil one of the seven resistance classes.

Resistance classes for side entrance doors

The properties of burglar-resistant side entrance doors are defined in seven resistance classes RC (Resistance Class). The longer a door resists burglars, the higher its resistance class and therefore its burglary protection. Depending on the security requirements and risk situation, side entrance doors fulfil classes RC 1N, RC 2N and RC 2-6. RC 1N and RC 2N offer basic burglary protection against break-in attempts using physical force and/or simple lever tools.

Side entrance doors from resistance class RC 2 "unreservedly recommended"

Windows and side entrance doors in resistance class RC 2 make break-ins with simple tools considerably more difficult. According to DIN EN 1627, products from RC 2 upwards must be tested to ensure that they can withstand break-in attempts for at least three minutes. Burglar-resistant safety glass must also be used for glass panels. These requirements do not apply to RC 1N or RC 2N. The police therefore only classify side entrance doors as "fully recommended" from RC 2 upwards.

RC 3 and RC 4 for side entrance doors for high burglar resistance

If a high level of security is required or to secure valuable property, resistance class RC 3 is recommended for side entrance doors. Side entrance doors in class RC 3 must be able to withstand a break-in attempt with professional tools for at least five minutes - ten minutes is mandatory for RC 4. Classes RC 4 to RC 6 are rarely used in residential areas, as successful break-ins require heavy equipment and a lot of time. The advice centres of the criminal investigation department can also answer questions about individually appropriate burglary protection.

Preventive burglary protection through correct adjustment of the side entrance door

Like front doors, side entrance doors can also leak, jam or drag on the floor, meaning that the door hinges need to be readjusted. Adjustments can easily be made using Allen adjustment screws in the sash or frame hinge, taking into account the manufacturer's instructions. Open joints in poorly adjusted side entrance doors not only lead to building physics problems due to cold or warm air penetrating, but also reduce burglary protection as they provide additional attack surfaces.

Customised side entrance doors for every purpose

Requirements for side entrance doors and external doors to garages

Side entrance doors and external doors allow convenient access to the garage because the garage door does not have to be opened first. While connecting doors between garages and living areas must be designed as fire protection doors, there are no special fire protection requirements for external garage doors that lead directly to the outside (e.g. into the garden). If high-value car parts and garden tools are stored in the garage, side entrance doors of at least resistance class RC 2 are recommended.

Customised side entrance doors, also in special sizes

Front doors and side entrance doors are no longer only available in individual standard dimensions. Instead, almost all manufacturers offer web-based configuration tools that can be used to define dimensions to the centimetre as well as a wide variety of colours and features. Dimensions of up to 1.15 metres wide and 2.20 metres high are generally feasible without any problems. Larger side entrance doors are usually also possible as special sizes, but are becoming increasingly unwieldy.

More space thanks to side entrance doors that open outwards

In basements and garages in particular, space is often at a premium and should not be further restricted by side entrance doors that open outwards. As the door hinges naturally point outwards, it is important to ensure that such side entrance doors have mushroom-head locks and anti-lift devices to ensure a high level of burglar resistance.

Side entrance door: Right or left opening to the outside?

When selecting a side entrance door, make sure that the stop is on the correct side. The stop side refers to the side of the door opposite the door handle and lock, which is also where the door hinges are located. "Left-hand stop opening outwards" (or equivalently: "DIN left-hand opening outwards") describes a door with the door handle and lock on the right when viewed from the outside, which opens outwards to the left-hand side. Which side doors open to depends solely on the individual installation situation.

Frequently asked questions about side entrance doors

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about side entrance doors.

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