Do-it-yourself overlay on an iron door. Varieties and characteristics of overlays on entrance doors. Alternative ways to mount MDF panels on a metal door

29.07.2023

Various overlays for interior doors can not only embellish the appearance, but also hide defects (irregularities, scratches, poor-quality painting) on the surface. They increase comfort, ennoble the interior, help to update the old design of the doorway.

What materials are made from

Linings on interroom doors can be made of various materials. Which option to prefer is up to the consumer to decide. More often they pay attention to the cost of the product, wanting to save money, and the quality of the material, service life become secondary issues. As a result, after a while you have to spend money again to upgrade.

What material is better to choose?

Elements made of chipboard, veneer or laminate have an affordable price that is attractive to many buyers. They do not look very impressive, the service life is short, and they are very afraid of air humidity and condensate. Recently, aluminum products have been in demand. They are in perfect harmony with the design of the room in the hi-tech style. But for a classic interior, they are not suitable.

Speaking about the materials and types of overlays for interior doors, you should pay attention to moisture-resistant plywood. Products from it are usually used in the kitchen or in the bathroom, where the humidity is high. Such overlays for interior doors are not able to absorb aromas and smells, are not afraid of condensate and serve for a long time. Over time, products made from such plywood do not lose their beauty and nobility of appearance.

Decorative overlays for interior doors, made of MDF board, look very dignified.

Their prices are above average. But the price is justified. After all, they have a lot of advantages:

An MDF board is made from well-dried wood fiber. Linings made of this material are environmentally friendly, do not emit harmful formaldehyde;
The service life is impressive, over time they are not deformed, they are not afraid of moisture;
It is possible to make door linings for interior doors of any size from MDF, if desired, carved internal elements, voluminous decorative ornaments are applied;
A rich palette of colors increases the ability to match them exactly to the color of doors, furniture in the room, which will increase harmony in the overall interior design.

How to glue the overlay

Gluing them on is easy. For professionals, this is a matter of 5 minutes. Without experience, it will also be possible to update the door leaf. Only it is necessary to scrupulously fulfill a few conditions.

First, the door must be cleaned of obsolete (if any) decorative elements, then washed and dried well.

Determine the line and border where the part will be glued. It is important that it be even, the slightest inaccuracy can affect the future beauty of the updated door. There should be no speeches.

It remains to glue the overlay with a strong quick-drying glue.

Overlays increase the beauty and aesthetics. They make it richer and more modern. It seemed that such a small detail, and the home with its appearance will become much more beautiful and comfortable.

Each owner of an apartment or a private house periodically has a desire to update the appearance of the entrance structure. It can be caused by a change in the interior of the room where it is installed, or a deterioration in the appearance of the product during its operation. One of the frequently used finishing options in such a situation is MDF lining on metal entrance doors.

Benefits of using MDF lining for steel doors

Decorative overlays for metal doors, which are made of MDF panels, have long become a popular way to decorate entrance structures. The advantages of their use are obvious and lie in the following characteristics and properties of this type of finish:

Resistance to various influences, including mechanical. The manufacture of the lining from MDF gives it an external resemblance to natural wood, however, the material is much stronger and more durable;
Beautiful appearance. Sheathing of MDF metal doors with overlays gives the product a solid and aesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition, it is allowed to use various additional decorative elements, for example, inserts with a mirror;
Improving the insulating characteristics of the input structure. MDF panels increase the protection of residential premises from the cold and extraneous noise, which increases the comfort of staying in an apartment or a country cottage;
Variety of colors and textures. Quite often, a standard white overlay is used. However, this color scheme is far from exhausting the number of different options;
Practicality and durability of the created decorative coating. The material from which the overlay is made is not subject to the negative effects of mold, rot and fungus. In addition, he does not need serious care;
Possibility to replace the door design if necessary. If the owner wishes, he may well change the lining for a new one, and do the work with his own hands.

Such an impressive list of advantages explains why the installation of MDF overlays on metal doors in modern conditions is deservedly considered one of the most common design options for entrance structures. Moreover, this finishing technology is often used in the repair of products and the desire to change their appearance.

Preparing to install an MDF lining on a metal door

Replacing the MDF lining on the front door does not require the necessary professional skills of a finisher and is quite feasible on your own. Although such a service can be performed without problems by specialized organizations involved in the implementation and installation of metal structures. However, the option of independent production of work in practice is chosen much more often.

The main preparatory measure is the acquisition of a suitable MDF overlay. The easiest way is to buy material in one of the hardware stores or markets, preferably those where the service of fitting the decorative panel to the desired size is provided. The price of MDF panels is at a quite affordable level, and the dimensions of the input structure, of course, should be measured in advance. In addition, you will also need to purchase a solvent, primer and other consumables.

The sequence of work on the installation of MDF lining

In order to install the overlay on a metal door, it is necessary to carry out such work, which is quite simple from a technological point of view:

Dismantle the canvas, placing it on a solid and reliable support;
Remove all removable fittings;
Remove the trim that needs to be replaced, or remove the old decorative coating;
Clean the metal surface, then degrease it and treat it with an anti-corrosion primer or paste over with a special protective vinyl film;
Always install the overlay on the front door from the inside first. It is attached to the surface using "liquid nails" and self-tapping screws. Their number is equal to 5 on the long side of the steel door and 3 on the short side;
If the decorative panel is installed on one side, then it is necessary to install the fittings and hang the sash on the hinges. In the case when the MDF lining is mounted both inside and outside, you must first complete the work on the outside, and only then proceed with hanging the canvas.

After completing the work described above, the homeowner receives a metal door with an updated design, which, with a high degree of probability, can add new colors to the interior of the room at the entrance to which the structure is installed. At the same time, the level of expenses required to create an alternative to the previously existing product design option is at a quite reasonable level. Naturally, it is much lower than the cost of acquiring a new steel door with a comparable end result.

Look at other people's doors with an installed MDF lining framed by platbands, and an involuntary feeling of respect and slight envy will subconsciously visit you. Do you also want to dress your doors in MDF lining?

MDF overlay on a metal door - the finish is expensive. You can order the installation of the lining in any construction organization. The service will cost you between $ 125-135.

But there is a way out, you can measure, order, bring, install these pads yourself and save at the same time. The motto "Do it yourself" is quite appropriate here.

Your costs will be:

The cost of manufacturing MDF with a thickness of 10 mm. - one square meter 25-30 $.
The cost of transportation is 6-10 $.
Installation cost is free, do it yourself.

This means that the total cost will be $ 56-70 with a door size of two square meters.

Net savings of $ 31-40, which is about 45-51% of the amount for the service from the construction organization.

Therefore, having decided to carry out the whole complex of works,

Let's make a step by step plan:

Collection and preparation of tools.

Measuring the door and drawing up a sketch.

Order MDF lining from the manufacturer.

Installation of MDF lining.

Collection and preparation of tools

It is necessary to prepare:

1. Screwdriver cross No. 7.
2. Small hammer.
3. Electric drill.
4. Clamps 2 pcs.
5. Roulette 2.5 m.
6. Construction plumb line.
7. Drills with a diameter of 2.8 mm, 3 mm, 10 mm.
8. Conical cutters for metal with a diameter of 8 mm, 10 mm.
9. Self-tapping screws for metal 20 mm. - 25 pcs.
10. Plastic caps for self-tapping screws.

door measurement

Measure the width and height of the door. Check the correctness of the rectangular contour of the door leaf.

Make a sketch of the door, taking into account the differences in actual dimensions from the correct rectangle.

Show on the sketch the desired thickness of the MDF lining. It is the thickness of the overlay that determines the depth of the milling of the pattern and its relief.

The most popular overlays are 10 and 16 mm thick.

Order MDF lining from the manufacturer

When ordering an overlay, you should take into account the consistency of its pattern and color with the design of all the doors of the apartment.

The usual turnaround time is approximately one week.

Remember, the pad has a weight of 15-25 kg and requires a vehicle for transportation.

Installing MDF door trim

Prior to installation, it is necessary to free the surface of the door from all fittings: handles, latches, oarlocks, peepholes.

Make markings on the MDF lining for drilling holes for self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screws will attach the trim to the metal of the door.

During marking, pay special attention to ensure that the drillings do not coincide with the area where the fittings are located.

After marking, drill holes with a diameter of 2.8 mm and you can proceed directly to the installation of MDF.

Slightly open the door and put on the overlay, press it with clamps exactly along the contour of the canvas.

Drill holes in the metal of the door using the markings already made in the overlay and fasten it with metal screws. Under each head of the self-tapping screw, select a conical chamfer with a large-sized drill only by hand.

Decorative finishing of entrance doors can be carried out in various ways - for these purposes, all kinds of structural paints, and a wooden lath are used, and, if we are talking about sheathing the canvas on the inside, even laminate and other similar materials. Such door finishing is a complex process, the final result of which largely depends on the hand of the master. Another thing is the lining on the doors, they are an integral decorative element that can quickly decorate the door, and the final result depends little on the master. They will be discussed in this article, in which, together with the website, we will study their varieties with all their inherent advantages and disadvantages, and also analyze the principle of self-installation of these products.

Door linings: varieties and their features

All decorative overlays on doors can differ only in two ways - in appearance and the material from which they are made. If everything is more or less clear with the appearance, then with the materials that determine the quality of these products, their service life and, in some way, their appearance, it is worth understanding in more detail. Consider the main materials that are used to make the so-called door linings.

Wooden lining on the door. Overlays of several varieties can be made from this material, which are determined by the use of one or another method of decorating wood. In this regard, this type of product can be divided into lacquered, painted, veneered or laminated linings. Depending on this decorative layer, not only the appearance changes, but also some characteristics of the door linings. For example, veneer resists the effects of high humidity quite poorly - it is better not to use such linings on a private house. They are great for an apartment, but not for private buildings, the front doors of which have direct contact with the street. Laminated wooden door linings have exactly the same characteristics, only to a slightly lesser extent. In general, painted or lacquered door cards are more suitable for private sector doors - over time, such protection will have to be restored, but this is better than just throwing it away, as happens with laminated or veneered overlays. Although they can be restored, but this will require more effort and money.
Plywood lining. In principle, this is practically the same option as wooden linings - the difference lies in their price and, of course, in technical characteristics. It should be understood that plywood itself is a derivative of wood - in fact, it is a thin veneer glued in layers, which, under the influence of external factors, begins to delaminate, no matter what moisture-resistant qualities the manufacturers endow this material with. I have nothing against him, but door cards made of plywood are best not used on front doors that are in direct contact with the street. This is an option for an apartment and, as in the previous case, it can be covered with decorative veneer, laminating film, varnish or paint that retains or does not preserve the texture of wood.
MDF lining for doors. In some way, this material (MDF) can also be called a wood derivative - it is made from fine wood dust, interconnected by modern polymer compounds, due to which MDF becomes little affected by moisture. But these polymers, like the sawdust themselves, cannot fully withstand moisture without additional protection, which is the outer layer of the laminate. The latter is quite thin, and such protection, as you understand, is not very reliable - the slightest scratch leads to damage to the MDF card. But with careful handling of such products, they perfectly withstand outdoor operating conditions (if they do not have direct contact with water and are installed under a canopy), but still the apartment is the most optimal area for their application.
Plastic lining on the door. Let's face it - this is exactly what in the conditions of the street (even despite direct contact with water) will serve for a long time until it gets old. Plastic is also good because it does not have a decorative layer - or rather, it is, but it is laid directly into the plastic itself and is not exposed to environmental factors. It should be understood that there are a lot of different plastics, and it is on them that the life of the card fully depends. Let's just say that cheap plastic burns out in the sun and is easily scratched, but if we talk about expensive plastic made using modifiers, then these shortcomings are not observed in it.

Now think and choose what to install, synthetics or natural material. And we are moving on and moving on to studying the technology of installing a lining on a metal door.

You can see how the door linings are made in the video.

How to install a lining on the front door yourself

Approaching the issue of installing overlays on entrance doors, the first thing to understand is that there are two types of door cards - internal and external. The differences between them are only in size and installation method. Why the installation is different, you will understand a little later, since we will analyze not just the installation of one card, but a full-fledged door trim technology using these products. To make it easier to understand this technology, we present it in the form of instructions.

As you can see, door linings are installed quite simply to do without specialists in this matter. All that is needed for this is the appropriate tool and fixtures, knowledge of the principle of installing door cards and a clear head.

The first thing that a person who comes to visit sees is the front door, so it should always look beautiful and attractive. If the door leaf has lost its original appearance or no longer fits into the new interior, do not rush to change it. There is a cheaper way to transform the door - installing a special lining. There are several types of such elements, they all have their advantages and disadvantages, but in order to make the right choice, you first need to familiarize yourself with the existing offer.

Appointment of overlays on the front door

The front door not only reliably protects the home from uninvited guests, but also, depending on its appearance, the first impression of the house and its residents is created. That is why the door leaf should look beautiful and attractive, as well as organically fit into its environment.

Overlays allow you to change the appearance of the front door

If you have a modern front door, then there is no need to install a lining, as it itself perfectly performs its functions and has a beautiful appearance. There are a number of circumstances that force the owner to make a decision regarding the front door and the way out of this situation will be to install the overlay:

it is necessary that the door organically fit into the environment;
additional protection of the canvas from scratches and other damage;
due to the long service life, scratches and damages appeared on the door leaf, which spoil its appearance. At the same time, the door frame and the leaf are quite durable and will be able to serve for many more years;
the front door needs to be insulated. Modern overlays allow not only to change the appearance of the canvas, but also to insulate it;
with the help of the overlay, the level of security of the door is increased. Such a panel not only thickens the canvas, but can also overlap the loop blocks, make a porch. Due to this, the likelihood of dust and draft gaps, which eventually appear in any design, is reduced.

Types of overlays on the front door

Modern industry offers different types of door linings. Between themselves, they differ in place, method of installation, material of manufacture and size.

At the place of installation, door linings can be:

According to the installation method, door linings can be:

mortise. During installation, such elements go deep inside the door leaf, which ensures their reliable fixation. For self-assembly of mortise structures, you must have the appropriate skills;
overhead. They are mounted on the surface of the door leaf using special screws, glue or self-tapping screws. Any home master can cope with such a task.

If we talk about the size of such elements, then the classification is as follows:

standard. The escutcheons are 90 cm wide and 200 cm high. They fit most entrance doors;
individual. Such products are made to order and can be of any size;
armored. Overlays perform a protective function. Usually they are installed near the lock to protect it from breaking.

Depending on the material used for the manufacture of door linings, they are divided into the following types:

Wooden overlays. They are made from natural wood. Depending on the decoration method, such elements can be painted, lacquered, laminated or veneered. For the entrance doors of a private house, it is better to use painted or varnished panels, as they are not afraid of high humidity. For apartment doors, you can choose laminated or veneered products.
Wooden overlays can be painted, lacquered, laminated or veneered
Plywood lining. From the previous version, they will differ in lower cost, but their quality is worse. Since plywood consists of several layers of thin wood glued together, over time, under the influence of negative external factors, it begins to delaminate. This also applies to moisture-resistant plywood, it just has a longer service life than ordinary plywood. For doors that have direct contact with the street, it is better not to use such products. This is a good option for installation on the front doors to the apartment. Plywood overlays can also be painted, varnished, laminated or veneered.
MDF lining. This material, like plywood, is made from wood. Its difference is that MDF is made from fine wood dust, and combined with polymer compounds. Thanks to this, MDF lining is not afraid of moisture. For maximum protection against moisture from above, such pads are covered with a layer of laminate. Since the thickness of the coating is usually small, such products can be scratched quite easily, but if handled carefully, they will reliably protect the doors both in the house and in the apartment. If the door block goes directly to the street, then a canopy must be installed to protect it from direct contact with water. The best option would be to install MDF panels on the front doors of the apartment.
MDF overlays are more suitable for installation on apartment entrance doors
Plastic pads. This is the best option for installation on doors that go directly to the street and even with direct contact with water, they do not lose their appearance and original characteristics. The decorative layer of plastic is created at the stage of its production, so it perfectly tolerates all the negative effects of external factors. It must be remembered that plastic can be of different quality. If you buy cheap pads, they can fade under the influence of sunlight and are easily scratched. In the manufacture of expensive plastic, special modifiers are used, so such products do not have the described disadvantages.
Plastic slips are suitable for entrance doors that have direct contact with the street.
Door stickers. One option to decorate doors or change their appearance is stickers. They are water-based self-adhesive film, so they are mounted on the door simply and quickly. Such films have high light resistance, are not afraid of moisture, and are easy to care for. If necessary, it is very easy to remove such a sticker and after themselves they do not leave marks. Stickers are ideal for people who like to change the interior of the room frequently.
Stickers allow you to quickly and often change the appearance of the door

Video: making an overlay from MDF in PVC film

Features of the choice of door linings

When choosing a lining for the front door, if it will be installed from its inside, it is necessary that this element is in harmony with the interior canvases. It is best that they are made from the same material. You can order such overlays from the same manufacturer as interior doors.

The overlay on the inside of the door should be in harmony with the design of interior paintings

Following these simple halts, you can independently choose a lining that will be ideal for a particular room and provide its beautiful and aesthetic appearance.

Installation of overlays on the front door

The process of installing the lining on the front door is not particularly difficult. Having become acquainted with the sequence of work, as well as having prepared the necessary tools, even a beginner can cope with such work.

To install the lining on the door, you need to prepare the following tools:

In addition, you will need:

patch panel;
self-tapping screws, the length of which should not exceed the thickness of the door along with the lining;
glue.

Please note that after installing the overlay panel, the thickness of the door leaf increases, so those locks, handles and door eyes that were before may not fit.

Overlays on entrance doors can be installed both from the outside and from the inside, as well as from both sides.

The procedure for installing the lining on the front door will be as follows:

Canvas dismantling. To simplify the work, it is recommended to remove the canvas from the hinges. If this fails, then you can fix the trim without removing the door.
To simplify the work, it is better to remove the canvas from the hinges.
Dismantling of accessories. Remove all fittings (lock, handles, peephole, plate), which will interfere with the work. If the loops are not internal, they are also removed.
Remove all fittings (lock, handles, peephole, plate)
Canvas preparation. The surface is cleaned from dust and dirt. After that, the doors are degreased. Some experts recommend treating the metal sheet with paint or an anti-corrosion coating before installation. You can paste over the doors with vinyl film, which is also a good protection against corrosion.
Panel preparation. It is laid on the door and mark the location of the fittings. You can immediately prepare holes for mounting the handle, peephole and lock cylinder, or you can do this after installing the lining. The work is carried out using a jigsaw, a milling cutter, a hammer and a chisel, it all depends on the available tool.
Preparation of holes for mounting the inner panel. On the outside of the door, using an electric drill, holes are made for self-tapping screws, which will fix the inner lining. To ensure high-quality and reliable fixation, make 4 rows of 5 pieces each. To hide the heads of self-tapping screws, potai is made.
Fixing the inner lining. First, the panel is smeared with glue, laid on the canvas and pressed with clamps. This solution allows you to fix the patch panel as firmly as possible. After that, from the outside of the door, self-tapping screws are inserted into the prepared holes, the length of which should not exceed the thickness of the leaf and lining. Fix the panel with self-tapping screws.
The overlay is first fixed with glue, and then fixed with self-tapping screws.
Preparation of holes for mounting the outer panel. The work is performed according to the same principle as in the previous case, but there are differences. Holes are made along the perimeter of the canvas in increments of 20-25 cm in the place where the iron sheet protrudes beyond the edges of the canvas frame. This solution allows the self-tapping screws to hide behind the gasket located between the leaf and the door frame.
Mounting the outer cover. Fix the outer panel with self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screws can be hidden using special overlays matched to the color of the main panel.
Hardware installation. If you didn’t make space for mounting accessories in the overlays in advance, you can do it now. Then the installation of door handles, a lock with a larva and a door peephole is carried out.
Doors with fitted overlays are hung on hinges

For a more secure fixation of the pads, screws can be used instead of self-tapping screws. In some cases, the overlays are mounted using moldings, which are fastened with screws to the door, and the overlay is already fixed in them.