Plastic doors made of PVC profile facade with low aluminum threshold

Accessories

Plastic doors, which can be either interior or entrance, are very popular. Their design consists of many elements with different names and purposes. One such device is a threshold. It prevents blowing and the formation of drafts, dust accumulation, damage to the floor covering, and also acts as a decorative element of the entire structure.

But this is not all the purposes of this element; it also has other operational properties, which we will consider a little later. The material for its manufacture may be different, but the aluminum profile is popular, since aluminum has high wear resistance and strength.

Aluminum threshold for plastic doors

In what rooms can plastic doors be installed?

Since developers of metal-plastic doors are guided by regulatory construction documents, the range of their applications is very wide. Such doors satisfy almost any requirement, except fire safety. They are applicable for various premises and purposes. But in some places they are completely irreplaceable. First of all, these are rooms with high humidity:

• bathrooms;
• toilets;
• swimming pools;
• kitchens;
• balconies and loggias;
• winter gardens and terraces;
• basements;
• boiler rooms;
• garages.

Wherever it is necessary to maintain stable temperature and humidity, plastic doors will be appropriate. The hygiene factor of such a doorway is also important. The canvas and frame, coated on the outside with a polymer composition, are immune to the chemical effects of household and industrial substances. They are easy to clean using ordinary detergents.

Photo gallery: where you can use plastic doors

Plastic doors are successfully used for baths and toilets

The front door serves as reliable protection for the home from intrusion.

Sliding plastic doors are used in places with wide passages

High-quality PVC doors are installed with balcony glazing

In addition, the vast majority of doors of this type are made to order according to individual parameters. This means that the manufacturer is able to give the product any shape, color and dimensions. The most daring design solutions are implemented without compromising strength and reliability. Exterior decoration imitates any material - wood, metal, fabric, etc. Inlaying the door leaf has become very popular - giving relief to the surface of the door. Colors are selected to match the wallpaper, floor or other interior elements.

Thanks to the variety of possibilities, plastic doors are increasingly found in government agencies, residential buildings, and enterprises.

Their shape can be classic rectangular or arched, in a medieval style.

An arched plastic door creates an original style in the house

Certification of plastic doors occurs in accordance with GOST 30970–2002. The standard regulates the technical characteristics that the product must have - air permeability (no more than 3.5 m3 per hour per square meter), sound insulation (at least 25 dB), etc. The state standard specifies the service life of a metal-plastic structure - it must be at least 40 years old.

The need for a balcony threshold

The balcony threshold is made on the outside and inside of the door. It is important to take into account some nuances - both parts must be comfortable in order to place your foot. Inexperienced craftsmen make short thresholds, the surface is so small that the foot of an adult does not fit, then residents trip over it, slip, and fall.

Types of balcony thresholds

The elevation at the balcony door performs a number of useful functions:

• strengthens the balcony and its structure; when there was originally a step in the apartment, you should not remove it, it can be repaired, but be sure to leave it;
• retains heat in the apartment, this is especially useful for a balcony without glazing when there is no insulation;
• thanks to the elevation above the floors of the room, it is possible to retain heat, but the polyurethane foam does not retain it and forms bridges of cold;
• even a small gap under the door can create a draft and cool the room; thanks to the elevation, this possibility is excluded;
• dampness, moisture cannot enter the room, the balcony step is an obstacle to this;
• The transition between the room and the balcony becomes smoother, and the incidence of stumbling is reduced.

In addition, a balcony door with a threshold looks aesthetically pleasing, attractive, and the room becomes more comfortable. In some apartments, the balcony and the room are at different levels, and some elevation helps eliminate this defect and create a smooth, comfortable transition from one room to another.

Making a threshold for a balcony is not difficult. But you need to know some nuances; as a result, you will be able to make the design convenient and of sufficient quality. They choose the material that best suits the style of the room, and the height should be made more comfortable for the residents. The shape of a balcony step is usually rectangular, the round one protrudes and often causes some inconvenience.

Manufacturing of plastic doors

Making plastic doors is a complex technological process that cannot be repeated at home. Factories for the production of PVC doors and windows are equipped with high-precision equipment, robotic machines and laboratories for product quality control.

The main obstacle to artisanal production is the production of a metal-plastic profile, consisting of an aluminum base and a PVC layer fused on top. But even if you have a ready-made profile, it is not possible to assemble it into a monolithic structure in a garage or home workshop. In addition, the door, if it is not a solid option, includes a double-glazed window or a sandwich panel. Their production requires the presence of sophisticated compressor equipment and a device for extruding polymers.

Equipment for polymer extrusion requires spacious premises and cannot be operated in home workshops

Even large manufacturers of this type of product have restrictions related to the dimensions of doors and windows. Thus, for PVC entrance doors the following maximum and minimum parameters are accepted:

• maximum permissible door leaf dimensions 940x2140 mm;
• minimum permissible sash height 900 mm;
• the minimum permissible door leaf width is 340 mm;
• the minimum permissible height of the door leaf with a five-point lock is 1870 mm (1970 mm in the double-leaf version);
• Products with a non-rectangular configuration are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty;
• in beveled imposts, the minimum permissible cutting angle does not exceed 45 °C;
• the maximum permissible side length of the trapezoid should not exceed 2010 mm.

The list goes on and on; each plant has its own maximum parameters for products. This is due not only to limited production capabilities, but also to the laws of strength and resistance of materials. In order to provide a warranty, design standards must be observed.

What to pay attention to when installing an entrance door threshold

Installing an entrance door threshold is a responsible procedure, when performing which it is recommended to take into account the following nuances:

• You should not install a threshold with a height of more than 30 mm, as it will turn from a useful structural element of the front door into an obstacle that will cause discomfort during operation.

• The threshold for the entrance door must be mounted at the level of the floor slab. Thus, before installation, it is necessary to cut through the entire thickness of the old floor structure.

• It is necessary to select only high-quality materials for the threshold. When installing wood products, you must make sure that the material contains no more than 12% - 20% moisture.

• Metal elements must be strictly straight, without signs of jamming or deformation.
• If a concrete threshold is installed, the fragility of the material should be taken into account and the structure should be covered with tiles.

For the threshold, only high-quality solid material should be used that does not contain cracks, chips, dents, signs of corrosion or physical wear, as this will affect the duration of trouble-free operation.

Repair and restoration

During operation of doors, breakdowns and failure of individual devices occur. It is not always possible or necessary to turn to specialists. Some defects can be eliminated independently, without outside help. Most often you encounter the following phenomena:

• glass cracks in a double glazing unit;
• door lock failure;
• hardware malfunctions.

Cracks in glass

The cause of cracks in glass is often violations of operating standards. This is either mechanical damage or the result of a large temperature difference. Some unlucky users place heating devices in close proximity to the double-glazed window. As a result, the temperature difference outside the door and inside the room reaches a critical value (about 90 °C) and the glass breaks.

In this situation, you cannot do without replacing the double-glazed window. It is necessary to very carefully remove the damaged glass from the frame, releasing the glazing beads. After this, a new double-glazed window is installed in the reverse order. Fortunately, today you can order any sizes from the factory. The cost of repair will not be so high, and it will take no more than two hours.

A sharp opening of the sash, accompanied by distortion of the canvas, can lead to cracks in the glass elements

Castle repair

You can also repair the lock yourself. The easiest way is to replace it with a new one. To do this, dismantle the rotary handle, remove the plastic decorative trim and unscrew the fixing screws at the end of the door leaf. Then the device is inspected, and if a breakdown is detected, the defect is eliminated. Perhaps the reason for the malfunction was a simple lack of lubrication or clogging.

If you cannot fix the problem on your own, you will have to buy a new lock assembly or spare parts for it. Each company that produces plastic doors has its own configuration features. Some equip their doors with locks of their own making, while others use products from third-party manufacturers. When replacing, you need to select either mother samples or interchangeable ones.

To repair the lock yourself, you need simple tools: a screwdriver, pliers, a file.

Video: installing a lock on a plastic door

Accessories

Fittings include door hinges, rotary or stationary handles, closers and door eyes. The main troubles happen with the hinges on which the sash is suspended. After some time after installation and grinding in under load, the blade may sag.

To restore normal operation of the door, there is no need to change the hinges or call a technician. Using a hex wrench of the appropriate size (it must be included in the hinge kit) and information from the technical documentation, you can independently adjust the operation of the hinges. To do this, you need to free them from the plastic covers, find the adjusting screws and turn left and right to achieve the normal position of the sash.

It is recommended to adjust door hinges not only when the door is already sagging, but also preventatively, at least 2 times a year

Video: adjusting balcony door fittings

Peculiarities

Thresholds can come in a variety of colors and sizes, and they can be based on different materials. These elements most often differ in the method of fastening - open and closed. Each of the methods is good in its own way: the open one is easier to install, and the design itself is simpler and more reliable, but the closed threshold is much more difficult to install, but they also look much better.

The price of laminate thresholds depends entirely on the material from which they were made, so plastic and wooden samples will have completely different prices. But regardless of the material, it is necessary to take care of the floor, and in particular the threshold, otherwise even parts made from the most expensive materials will quickly become unusable.

As already mentioned, floor thresholds can be made from a variety of materials, and according to this feature they are divided into several groups.

Metal ones are the most commonly used and popular thresholds. The most common materials for such parts are steel, brass, and aluminum. Metal thresholds are covered with a protective film, which makes them look more impressive and suitable for the floor. In general, metal parts are very durable and reliable, they can withstand quite heavy loads at their low price.

Rubber ones prevent residents from slipping, they are easy to install, and after the installation process they will last for a long time.

Wooden ones are less common, because their service life is short, and due to natural materials the price of wood thresholds is much higher, but due to their appearance they are still popular, especially in combination with laminate.

Cork - made from cork and are flexible, which makes it possible to use them to develop non-standard design options.

Plastic ones are not famous for their long service life and reliability, but they are inexpensive and come in many different colors.

Caring for plastic doors

Sellers often assure buyers that once they spend money on purchasing a plastic door, they don’t have to worry and forget about maintenance. Unfortunately, this is just a myth. Plastic doors, like all others, require maintenance. Of course, plastic is less whimsical and capricious, but it still needs regular “water procedures”.

First of all, attention is paid to the glass, the cleanliness of which determines lighting and visibility. They are cleaned once a month or as needed. Special detergents are used, but in the absence of these, ordinary soapy water can be used.

Inexpensive cleaning products will help keep your door window clean

In addition to glass, drainage channels (entrance and balcony doors) and rubber seals must be cleaned. If dirt and debris accumulate in large quantities in the folds of the seal, very soon it will fail or tear. It is recommended to inspect and clean your gutters twice a year. If damaged parts are found during the inspection, they must be replaced. You need to pay special attention to the sealing rubber located on the threshold. It is most susceptible to the accumulation of debris. It is recommended to clean thresholds with a vacuum cleaner.

It is strictly forbidden to clean glass units using solvents, gasoline or sandpaper. Detergents should not contain abrasive crumbs.

Door fittings also require regular lubrication. Ideally, lubrication is carried out during maintenance of fittings (door handles, hinges and locks), but at least once a year. In this case, oily liquids recommended by the manufacturer are used. WD-40 is used for internal doors, external structures are treated with frost-resistant lubricant.

Universal lubricant will always help keep the door in good condition.

Mounting methods

The aluminum threshold is fastened in two ways.

• The external method involves screwing screws into through, pre-prepared holes, leaving visible heads of screws or anchors. This method is rarely used, since outwardly it does not look very aesthetically pleasing.
• The hidden fastening method is more aesthetic, but at the same time more complex. This method structurally looks like this: screws or anchors are installed on the line where the fittings are located, and when screwed in, their heads should be flush with the surface of the coatings being joined. The threshold snaps into place at the top. This threshold is durable, the profile does not become loose over time, and if necessary, it can always be replaced.

Another method of hidden fastening is to use glue or double-sided adhesive tape. But this method is applicable for a profile with a small height, as well as under the condition of a flat surface. This connection is cheap, but short-lived.

Aluminum profile on door structure