Despite the environmental friendliness of wood and its exceptional properties, more and more people are inclined to install plastic door structures. The main reason for this is their reliability and ability to withstand temperature changes, as well as durability. Well, in order for the installation of a plastic door with your own hands to be successful, you should familiarize yourself with the video tutorial.
Dismantling the old structure
Before installing a plastic door, it is necessary to dismantle the old structure. If the canvas is hung on removable hinges, then a crowbar is slipped under its bottom and lifted up, thus removing it. If the hinges are of a non-separable type, then you will have to unscrew them and start doing this from the bottom hinge.
After this, they begin to disassemble the box, remove the plaster and putty. After this, it is necessary to determine how the old box was fastened, find these elements and also remove them. These could be anchors, pieces of reinforcement, etc.
All joints are cut using a grinder, after which it will be possible to knock the metal box out of the opening. But here you should be extremely careful so as not to seriously destroy the box, so that later you don’t have to completely restore it. If the box is wooden, then in this case everything is much simpler, because all you need to do is cut it in the middle and use a crowbar to break it out of the opening. In this way, the sidewalls, lintel and threshold are removed.
Features of the installation of the structure
Before installing a plastic door, it is necessary to carry out all finishing measures for the room. Also, if you plan to paint the floor or lay laminate flooring, this is also done before installing the door. To install the structure, you need to prepare the following tools:
- Polyurethane foam;
- Pencil;
- Building level;
- Assembly knife;
- Roulette;
- Dowels;
- Screwdriver;
- Chisel;
- Hammer.
What materials and tools are needed
You will need:
- a hammer drill or drill for drilling recesses in the opening;
- level 0.5 m long;
- plumb line;
- roulette;
- screwdriver;
- hammer;
- construction knife.
For installation you will also need good quality polyurethane foam with a gun, wedges made of plastic or wood, 10 mm anchor bolts and plates, 5-7 cm screws for metal, vapor barrier tape made of butyl rubber, self-adhesive sealing tape.
Preparatory work
Installing a plastic door with your own hands begins with preparing the doorway. In most cases, the plastic structure is ordered by the buyer according to specified parameters, so there is no need to narrow or widen the opening. If there is uncertainty about the correct measurement of the structure, then it is worth calling a measurer who will calculate everything.
It is important to know that the opening should be slightly wider than the structure itself and there should be a gap of 15-20 mm around the perimeter. When preparing surfaces for installation, they need to be cleaned and dried, and maybe even primed, because the primer will help to capture residual dust, which will not interfere with further installation. The primer will also increase adhesion, which is very important when insulating and foaming.
If, when purchasing a door, a threshold is not included in the kit, then its installation is carried out before installing the plastic structure itself. In addition, in most cases, the plastic structure is delivered assembled with a box, so before installation it is recommended to disconnect the canvas from the box, which will greatly facilitate the work, because the canvas and the box have considerable weight.
Should you install it yourself or entrust it to specialists?
It is better to entrust the installation procedure of plastic doors to specialists who will perform the work efficiently, without any complaints. If you follow the instructions given in this article, you can install PVC (polyvinyl chloride) doors yourself.
With the correct sequence of all actions, it will be possible to increase the service life of the structure. Plastic is least susceptible to aging compared to other materials. Follow the instructions and enjoy the result of the work done.
Methods of fastening the box in the opening
Fastening the structure in the opening can be done in two ways:
On the anchor. To do this, three holes are drilled at equal distances on each side of the box around the perimeter. Some are inclined to believe that this method of fastening will spoil the appearance of the door, but most often this technique is implemented mainly in balcony structures. In this way, the PVC block can be securely fixed.
On the brackets. Most often they come complete with a plastic structure. The thickness of the wall in this case does not matter, and the brackets are placed in the same pattern as the anchors - 3 pieces on each side.
Methods for installing plastic doors
A plastic door is a ready-made complete product consisting of a panel, a frame and all the necessary fittings. Unlike a wooden door, which is assembled from individual parts, a plastic door is delivered assembled, so the installer’s task is only to install it correctly. In the vast majority of cases, doors are made to order, to fit the dimensions of a specific opening. Therefore, there is no need to adjust the dimensions of the opening during the installation process.
Specially equipped vehicles are used to transport custom-made plastic windows and doors according to available sizes.
However, there are a number of models designed for standard opening dimensions:
- 2000x190x70 mm;
- 2000x190x80 mm;
- 2000x190x90 mm.
These dimensions are agreed by manufacturers with building regulations and are suitable for most doorways in civil and residential construction.
The depth of the opening does not matter, since the thickness of the plastic structure fits into any standard size of walls and partitions. The only exception is wooden partitions less than 75 mm thick. But even in this case, it is possible to install the door block into the wall. To do this, they use the technology of extending the doorway.
Installation is carried out in one of two ways, which is selected on site based on existing conditions.
- Fixing the frame with brackets. Special metal strips are used for binding.
Using a hammer and pliers, bend the bracket in the desired direction
- Direct fixation of the door frame to the wall. Fastening is carried out using anchor fasteners.
Direct fixation of the door frame is done using metal anchors
There are no differences in the degree of strength and reliability. In both cases, the door rests rigidly on the partition. But in the first option, the appearance will be more attractive, and the frame will remain intact.
Video: installation of a balcony block according to GOST
Box installation
We continue to study how to properly install a plastic door. First you need to place the frame in the opening and place it on the prepared stops with a slight slope. After that, a level is placed on the threshold and the evenness of the door’s horizontal position is measured. If necessary, you can tighten the screws and only then install the wedges.
The box is also secured from above. Then, using a level, its location is checked and, if necessary, adjustments are made.
Block installation
Box installation
- The door frame is placed in the opening and placed on stops, with a slight slope.
- A building level is placed on the threshold, and the correspondence of the box to the horizontal is monitored. If alignment is necessary, the screws are tightened, after which the wedges are installed.
- The jamb fits completely into the opening and is fixed at the top; similarly - with spacers.
- Checking the position of the plastic door. If necessary, make adjustments.
- Installing side wedges.
- Secondary control of the correct orientation of the door in the opening.
Box fastening
- The holes have already been drilled, so all that remains is to make them in the wall. Having a hammer drill and a set of drills (drills) on hand, the whole job will take a few minutes. If fastening is done with brackets, grooves are provided. Although this can be done in advance by correctly marking it.
- Installation of fasteners. Order: first on one side, then on the other. But don't tighten it, otherwise the door will warp.
- Final fastening. Even if a durable metal-plastic door is installed, the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise the profile will be deformed. Therefore, the fastener parts are tightened gradually, and the position of the box (by level) is constantly monitored.
Hanging the sash
There are no difficulties when it comes to interior doors. But if it is installed in an opening on a balcony, then the hinges of such models have a number of features. And therefore the installation is carried out in a certain sequence.
- Hanging the fabric on the bottom loop.
- Closing the sash.
- When aligning the halves of the top canopy, the central pin is inserted. But this only applies to models that have a ventilation function.
Functionality check
If there are difficulties with opening/closing the door, it is adjusted. Most models have a corresponding element for this, located in the top hinge. What needs to be done in relation to a specific unit is indicated in the product instructions.
Sealing the opening
Typically a polyurethane-based composition is used, better known as polyurethane foam.
Processing the door around the perimeter is not difficult; Just a few points worth noting:
- You need to work with foam extremely carefully. Firstly, follow the “dosage”, since after application it increases in volume, and significantly. Secondly, the composition is sticky, and it is advisable to remove excess immediately, before it hardens;
- the surface to be treated (slit) is pre-wetted. This accelerates the polymerization of the sealant and ensures its reliable contact with the base;
- the door remains in the “closed” position. You can use it only after the foam has dried.
If you analyze all the nuances of the work, the conclusion is clear - you won’t need the services of a professional to install a plastic door.
You just need to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, properly prepare the opening and control the position of the box. Everything else (platbands, additions) are details, at personal discretion.
Box fastening
The holes on the box itself are already ready, so now you need to make them in the wall. To do this you will need a hammer drill with a set of drills. Holes are made using a drill with a diameter of 11, the distance between which should be 30 cm around the perimeter.
Dowels are installed in the resulting holes, but the screws are not screwed into them completely, because first you need to check the evenness of the installation of the box and only then tighten the screws tightly.
Once the box is installed, you can begin hanging the canvas on the hinges. If it turns out to be a little skewed, then this problem can be easily eliminated by adjusting the hinges. If the sash sags, the hinge at the bottom of the structure is tightened, and if it is not pressed tightly against the frame, then the hinges are twisted alternately from below and from above.
Sealing the opening
After the installation of the plastic door is completed, it is necessary to begin sealing it using polyurethane foam. Before applying it, the gaps are moistened with water, and the sash itself is left in the closed position until the foam dries completely. In order not to stain the walls adjacent to the opening with foam, the perimeter of the door is covered with masking tape.
After the foam has completely dried, it is cut using a stationery knife. The frame for the slopes is fastened using self-tapping screws, and decorative panels are installed using nails.
But still, before installing a plastic door with your own hands, it is recommended to watch a video about the correctness of each installation stage in order to be sure that everything is going as usual and correctly.
Types of doors
Metal-plastic profiles are made from polyvinyl chloride. Modern polymer material is easier to process than wood. The resulting structures are not afraid of moisture and protect the room from extraneous sounds from the outside and from frost. The smooth surface of plastic models does not need to be painted, just washed.
Before installing a new balcony door, you need to understand the available options. Profiles are divided into types:
- Single-field (independent). The canvas is not connected to the window.
- Double-field (shulpovy). The all-glass design allows maximum light to enter the room. Suitable for large openings.
- Combined. The door is combined with a window, located between the sashes, to the right or left of the canvas.
PVC balcony doors are distinguished by the complexity of their structure. Single leaf types are a popular option that fits standard openings. Sealed models provide reliable heat and sound insulation of the room. At the customer's request, you can choose designs with a microventilation system or with vents.
Independent view for exit Source remont-kr.zakupka.com
In wide openings, professionals recommend installing a double-leaf balcony door. The canvases swing open in both directions, increasing the passage and making it easier to carry large furniture into the loggia. For ventilation, the model is provided with special fittings, like on windows.
Portal doors allow rational use of the balcony area. Sliding sashes are placed on guides that evenly distribute the weight of the profile. When opening, one element slides behind the other without coming into contact with the outer zone. Double-glazed windows are often made completely transparent, which ensures maximum light entering the room.
Sliding glass doors Source remont-kr.zakupka.com
Sliding plastic balcony doors in open mode resemble an accordion. When folded, the structure takes up part of the space in the room or loggia. Models have from 3 to 8 doors. The profile can be folded out either completely or partially. This option is ideal for panoramic buildings.
Sliding plastic sashes Source saucyintruder.org
Installation of closer
The door closer is purchased separately at the buyer's request, because it is not included in the price of the kit. Its main task is to regulate the speed of opening and closing the door leaf. Before installing it, you should familiarize yourself with all the rules for installing a door closer, and everything is done in several stages:
- Mark the installation location of the closer and lever;
- One part of the mechanism is screwed to the canvas, and the second to the frame of the structure;
- The length of the closer lever can be adjusted. To do this, first one part of it is attached to the door leaf, after which the second part is screwed to the required position.
If it seems that the task is difficult to complete, then it is best to hire a specialist who can quickly cope with the installation of the door closer. In order for the mechanism to have a long service life, it is necessary to periodically carry out preventive measures and timely repair it.
How to understand that a door needs adjustment
An obvious sign that it is time to restore the door is the leakage of cold air and noise into the enclosed space. Difficulties in opening the doors also indicate problems. Finally, a lot of trouble can be caused by condensation accumulating on glass or slopes as a result of the formation of cracks between the door and the frame.
For lovers of practical methods, special tricks are offered that allow you to assess the condition of the door.
- Checking the gap. To do this, place a sheet of paper between the slightly open door and the door frame. The door is closed all the way, moving the handle to the lower position. When the sheet is sealed relative to the box, it is very difficult to remove the sheet. If there is a gap between a pair of elements, the paper can be removed easily.
- Checking for skew. The assessment begins by marking the perimeter of the door with a pencil on the door frame with the door closed. The edges of the door leaf serve as a ruler. After this, the door is opened and the parallelism of the bottom of the opening and the outlined line is compared. If the parallelism is broken, the door needs adjustment. A similar comparison can be made using a building level. To do this, apply a level to the horizontal and vertical parts of the open door. Based on the deviation of the instrument indicators, the actual skew is determined. To determine the skew of the door frame, its diagonals are measured. They must be equal to each other.
- Checking the immobility of the door leaf when open. Open the door at an angle of about 45o and leave it in that position. If the door slams spontaneously or opens even more, then this is a signal for adjustment. Of course, when carrying out the test, the influence of wind must be excluded.
Checking the correct installation of the structure
After installing a plastic door with your own hands is completed, you need to test it, and do this as follows:
- Check the tight fit of the sash to the frame. In the closed position, it should fit completely tightly to the frame around the entire perimeter, and the rubber seal should be evenly pressed on all sides;
- Look at the size of the gap between the frame and the canvas. The gap on the back side of the seal should not exceed 3-4 mm. If this value is different in different places, then this indicates a skew of the sash;
- Pay attention to the door hinges, because when opening they should not make any sounds, and opening and closing the door should be completely silent;
- Also, the locking device should operate softly and smoothly.
If at least one of the points does not work correctly, then it is necessary to carry out adjustment using the adjusting screw, which is included in the delivery package. How to tighten the screws correctly is indicated in the instructions that come with the doors.
Thus, if you follow all the recommendations, installing a plastic door with your own hands will be quick and efficient, which will allow you to save a lot of money. And if installed correctly, the structure will last a long time without any problems.
Saving Tips
Installing an entrance door structure with your own hands is already saving money. If you are confident in your abilities, you will be able to avoid resorting to the services of a measurer. When choosing the cheapest materials, the quality of fastening may suffer, so choose foam, dowels and other consumables of the mid-price category.
If your budget is limited, pay attention to suppliers from China; it will be cheaper than PVC structures from popular brands. It is important to avoid a situation in which it becomes necessary to dismantle an incorrectly installed structure and then reinstall it.
