There Is Strong Competition in the Door Manufacturers’ and Suppliers’ Sector
Published: 28.08.2017
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There is strong competition in Latvia’s door manufacturers’ and suppliers’ sector, posing a threat to consumers—they are often misled. The most common method is to set a low price for a product while telling consumers about the high level of security, sound insulation, quality, and other aspects of the doors, although after delivery and installation it turns out that all that remains of the security, sound insulation, and thermal insulation are deceptive sales tricks. We invited one of the representatives of “Skydas,” a leading company in the door market—the company’s Chairman of the Board, Raivis Konovalovs—to share his views on current developments in the door manufacturing market.
What, in your opinion, constitutes a secure door?
It must be said quite definitely that metal doors are several times more secure than wooden doors.
How do metal doors differ from wooden doors?
Wooden doors are a relatively more environmentally friendly product. They are usually made from a renewable resource, and it is possible to paint them in the customer’s preferred colour and install the hardware of their choice.
Metal doors, on the other hand, are manufactured in many different ways. They may differ greatly from one another both structurally and visually. The range available in Latvia is surprisingly extensive, indicating that the metal door market is developing rapidly.
What are the main disadvantages of wooden doors?
Wooden doors will occasionally need to be repainted, resulting in recurring expenses. They cannot provide protection against burglary because they can be opened quickly! The entire door structure is “living,” because, unfortunately, nowadays the material used to make wooden structures is not fully dried, significantly affecting the quality and service life of new doors.
We agree that wooden doors look very beautiful in modern projects, but weather conditions determine the lifespan of a door. In damp conditions, they tend to swell, while heat has the opposite effect—the door leaf contracts and gaps form, through which substantial heat loss may occur.
How would you describe the situation in Latvia’s metal door market?
Today, the widest range of metal doors in Latvia is in the budget segment; however, only a few door companies choose to offer high-quality products at an affordable price. Most door companies choose to offer mass-produced products at the lowest possible price. Low-priced metal doors have no significant advantages that could be highlighted. Such doors lack basic security, sound insulation, and thermal resistance. Their only advantage is that they will always be available from stock.
At our company, we categorically advise customers against purchasing metal doors from construction stores, as they are of the lowest possible quality. It would take considerable effort to find worse offers!
How should one choose metal doors with sound insulation and adequate security?
The first—and, in reality, the only—condition determining the security level and sound-insulation quality of metal doors is the conformity certificates established in the European Union. Without them, it is impossible to determine whether doors are genuinely secure. Uncertified doors are automatically classified as insecure. The same applies to sound insulation and thermal resistance. Certificates are awarded separately for each criterion. If doors are certified as burglary-resistant, tests are conducted. During these tests, the doors being certified are attacked with special tools, and measurements are taken of how long the doors withstand the attack. Depending on the time spent and the sets of tools required to break in, experts determine the relevant certification to be awarded.
How can a customer determine, when purchasing doors, whether the particular metal doors are certified?
It is not possible to determine visually whether doors are certified. Buyers can ask door sellers to produce the certificates. If door sellers confidently describe the doors’ thermal transmittance, customers can ask to see the relevant certificate. Most often, sellers say that door security depends on the locks; however, we categorically disagree with this point! It is extremely important how correctly the doors have been constructed and whether all burglary-resistance requirements have been taken into account. Fitting the most secure lock to an ordinary woodshed door will not protect the firewood. Security is primarily a matter of the door construction, not the locks!
In light of what has been said, what is “SKYDAS”’s solution to security, sound insulation, and thermal resistance?
Our company’s specialists advise buyers on various security-related matters, help them choose, and recommend the best solutions for projects of varying degrees of complexity. “SKYDAS” is the official Latvian representative of a Lithuanian door factory. “SKYDAS” doors are certified by institutions in Germany and Estonia. The company’s metal doors are fire-resistant, sound-insulating, thermally efficient, burglary-resistant, and even bulletproof. “SKYDAS” metal doors are installed in apartments and private houses to improve all these performance indicators. “SKYDAS” also offers burglary-resistant metal doors—SKYDAS Standart No.2 and No.3 —these models are installed in premises with a high risk of burglary. Of course, there are also customers who choose such doors for their apartments.
Recently, “SKYDAS” has also launched the range of services offered by sosdienests.lv and started selling budget-class “Supporta” metal doors manufactured in Ukraine. The company’s online store offers doors in various price ranges. The metal doors manufactured in Ukraine are always available in our warehouse. “SKYDAS” metal doors, on the other hand, are made to order. Approximately 5–7 weeks pass from placing the order to installation. Once the doors are in stock, both “SKYDAS” and “Supporta” doors can be delivered anywhere in Latvia within three days. “SKYDAS” employees also provide door installation throughout Latvia. Buyers should, of course, bear in mind that measurement and installation costs differ between regions of Latvia. Therefore, the company offers various solutions, such as carrying out both the measurements and installation, as well as many other options, or simply delivering the doors based on measurements provided by the buyer.
Sosdienests.lv restores metal doors and also provides door-opening and lock-replacement services for wooden and metal doors.
The entire “SKYDAS” offering is designed to make purchasing doors convenient and straightforward for buyers, without requiring them to invest a great deal of time. Customer satisfaction is the company’s priority; therefore, particular emphasis throughout all its products and services is placed on security, warmth, and sound insulation!
Author: Sandis Bergholds
