Which balcony clamp to install on a plastic door

It is impossible to imagine a balcony without a door. But sometimes, especially in summer, you want to open it so that a light breeze and a stream of fresh air can enter the apartment. To do this, it needs to be fixed. The balcony door latch is a very important detail, which to some extent also ensures safety. It will protect the glass from cracking during sudden opening in contact with furniture or a wall. He will also be able to prevent possible injury in the event of a sudden slamming of the door, for example, from a draft.

Purpose of the latch

The hardware kit for modern plastic doors must include a functional latch. This element has a simple design and is quite convenient to use. The principle of operation of the latch is reminiscent of the operation of kitchen cabinet latches and allows you to not control the position of the door.

A correctly installed latch should open balcony doors without significant effort. At the same time, strong gusts of wind should not disturb the position of the closed door leaf. The main task of the latch is to prevent the plastic balcony door from swinging open when the locking mechanism is in the open position.

The common name for such a latch is a smoker's latch. It is enough to slam the balcony door on this mechanism and no smoke will enter the living space. That is, it allows you not to lock the doors when visiting a loggia or balcony for a short time.

If a one-way lock is installed on the balcony door, which is equipped with one handle on the inside, the door cannot be closed when entering the loggia without such a lock.

What is a door lock used for?

Anything can happen in life, and sometimes it is simply necessary to fix the door in a certain position, or for it to remain open or, on the contrary, closed at some point. This is especially true for families who have small children. Due to inexperience, their fingers can be injured by a closing door. It is precisely for this situation that a balcony clamp is needed.

Lock for balcony door

Very often another situation arises when you need to block the balcony door from outside entry into the room, that is, make sure that it does not open from outside the balcony. You can also use a door locking structure for this.

Types of door latches

The main difference between different models of latches for PVC doors is the operation of the locking mechanism. According to this indicator, the following types of latches are distinguished: roller, halyard, magnetic.

Roller

The roller latch design includes a roller that is supported by a spring. All parts are placed in a small iron box. A strike plate with a gripper is placed on the frame profile. When closing the balcony door, the roller installed on the end part of the door leaf enters the grip and is fixed.

False

The principle of operation of halyard latches is similar to the operation of roller models. In this case, the latch is spring-loaded. When the door is closed, the beveled tongue falls into a reciprocal groove located on a special strip located on the frame. The latch is securely fixed in the groove due to its shape and does not allow the door leaf to open back. The latch can only be opened with a special handle with a rotary mechanism.

Magnetic

The design of magnetic clamps is very simple, it includes only two elements: a standard metal strip and a magnetic one. They are fixed at the same level: a steel part is mounted on the door leaf, and a magnetic part is mounted on the frame. The period of operation of such a mechanism has no limitation.

The main advantage of magnetic latches is that even with a slight displacement of the slats, the operation of the mechanism is not disrupted. Unlike locks with a different operating principle, magnetic models are not subject to wear during operation. Therefore, a magnetic type lock for a balcony door is considered stable in operation and as reliable as possible.

PVC balcony door fittings

The service life of a plastic door on a balcony depends on the quality of the fittings.

Constipation is divided into the following types:

• turning;
• tilt and turn;
• parallel-sliding;
• rotary with lock;
• tilt and turn with lock;
• rotary with two handles;
• tilt and turn with two handles.

What the fittings should be like depends on the size of the entire structure that forms the exit to the balcony. The larger the door, the heavier it is. If the door has large dimensions, it is recommended to use parallel-sliding type of fittings. In this case, the structure will not sag and thereby maintain its density.

The main fittings of a balcony door include:

• loops;
• door knob;
• seal.

Loops

Door hinges are the most important part of the hardware with which the door leaf is attached to the frame. During the manufacturing process, the manufacturer must take into account the dimensions of the door leaf and the type of door lock that will be used.

Most often, standard hinges are used, made of anti-corrosion metal, which are suitable for both windows and doors. They are able to withstand a weight of 130 kilograms.

The balcony block is completely assembled in production. The customer just needs to give the dimensions. There is no need to hang the door on hinges at home. If the door is large and its weight exceeds 130 kilograms, you will need to use special hinges that can cope with the increased load capacity.

If the warranty period provided by the manufacturer for its product has expired, the door does not fit tightly to the frame due to the fact that the hinges have stopped functioning, you need to make the following adjustments:

1. Using the hinges, you can adjust the position of the canvas to the opening.
2. Raise or lower the door along the opening by turning the bolt located in the lower hinge. To do this, first remove the protective cap. When turning to the right, the door leaf rises; when turning to the left, it lowers.
3. You can move the door leaf from left to right using the second bolt located near the bottom hinge. Located parallel to the door. By turning the hex screwdriver to the right, the lower corner of the blade is pulled closer to the hinge. At this time, the opposite corner is lowered. By rotating the screwdriver to the left, the upper corner is raised. You can adjust the position of the door leaf with a bolt located near the top hinge only when the door is completely open.

Important! If a plastic door stops working during the warranty period specified by the manufacturer, under no circumstances should you attempt to repair it yourself. It is recommended to call the company's employees to carry out repair work.

Door knob

The handle constantly receives a large load, driving the entire mechanism. If you use this element correctly, it will serve for a long time without problems.

Handles come in the following types:

• made according to the traditional principle;
• with inserted lock;
• having a button;
• double-sided equal-sized;
• double-sided, different sizes;
• push;
• shells.

Door handles with built-in keyholes or button locks are most often chosen by customers with small children. They won't allow kids to open the door.

Shells are attached only to the outside of the door leaf. With their help, you can tightly close the door when going out onto the balcony.

Double-sided handles of different sizes are mounted in the canvas to close the balcony both from the side of the room and from the balcony area. Such handles, unlike ordinary ones, have a lock, the center of which is located slightly away from the edge of the sash.

Situations arise when the handle stops functioning. You can repair it yourself without contacting service, depending on the type of malfunction:

1. A loose handle can be easily repaired. To do this, you need to turn the plate under the handle and tighten the screws. After this, the lining must be installed in place.
2. To replace a broken handle, you will need to completely unscrew the screws and remove parts of the part. Instead, a new handle is installed. The screws are screwed back in and tightened tightly. After this, the plate rotates to the position in which it was originally.
3. If the handle does not turn well, this means that dirt has gotten into the mechanism; the door is sagging and does not adhere well to the frame. In this case, the situation can be corrected by adjusting the mechanism or lubricating it. There is no need to worry about the handle breaking, since it is in good working order and does not require additional repairs.
4. Often the constipation “jumps” if, when going out onto the balcony, the user does not pay attention to its position. When you turn the handle to ventilation mode with the door open, the lock will work. To fix everything, you need to press the spring-loaded tongue and turn the handle vertically.

Sealant

Don’t think that ordering a balcony door made from the most expensive profile and double-glazed windows providing high thermal insulation will be enough to protect the room from the cold in winter. In this case, the seal is of great importance.

It is an elastic band with a relief profile. It is installed in recesses that are located along the diameter of the door or window profile.

When the door closes, the seal is pressed tightly against the frame, which performs the following functions:

1. The room is completely isolated from the penetration of extraneous noise and odors, street dust, moisture during rain, and drafts.
2. Serves as protection from cold or hot air at the appropriate time of year. Thanks to this, a favorable microclimate is maintained in the room.
3. Protects metal fittings from condensation accumulation.

For the manufacture of seals, materials are used in the production of which no toxic substances are added. They can be used for a long time without fear of deformation. The seals can withstand both high and low temperatures perfectly. In addition, it is not affected by ultraviolet rays.

The following materials are used to make this hardware part:

• polyvinyl chloride;
• ethylene propylene rubber;
• thermoelastopolymer;
• vulcanized rubber;
• silicone

In order to choose a seal, you need to first study what material it is made of and determine how long it will last. This is done when drawing up an application for a balcony block or before making a replacement on your own.

The cheapest is the black EPDM seal. Due to the low cost of the product, it is most often purchased. But for good functionality, it must be treated twice a year with a substance containing silicone.

Thermoplastic and regular gray rubber remain equally popular. The most reliable among seals remains the silicone seal. It is easy to care for. This seal lasts longer than usual. The balcony block looks very aesthetically pleasing and bright. The price of a silicone seal is high, so not everyone can afford such a hardware item.

The following signs indicate that the seal needs to be replaced:

• There is a draft from the balcony door:
• the noise of traffic passing by the apartment began to be heard;
• cracks appeared on the seal;
• metal fittings are covered with condensation;
• Fungus and mold have formed on the seal.

Some of these problems can be eliminated by adjusting the sash position. Most often, the seal is completely replaced.

The procedure goes as follows:

1. The seal is carefully removed from the profile grooves.
2. The groove is completely cleared of any dirt accumulated in it.
3. Special glue is applied to the corners, which will help securely fix the seal.
4. Each joint of the seal is glued together to create a tight seal when the door is closed.

Accessories for organizing micro ventilation

Additional equipment includes fittings for micro-ventilation of the room. It is necessary if you use a plastic balcony door. This is explained by the fact that when replacing wooden windows and doors with PVC, a person receives tightness and high thermal insulation of the room. But at the same time, the room does not receive the required amount of fresh air. With the help of a micro-ventilation mechanism, a sufficient amount of air enters the room.

Important! Lack of air circulation in the room leads to discomfort in the people living there. The immune system weakens and the body becomes susceptible to damage from viruses and bacteria. The person becomes lethargic and weak. The room itself becomes a breeding ground for fungal spores, viruses and bacteria.

Thanks to special fittings, the door leaf forms a small gap, which allows fresh air to enter the room. In this case, the handle is fixed in a middle position, between vertical and horizontal, lowering the upper edge of the canvas to form a gap of several millimeters.

If desired, the customer can order a special climate valve in the application, which is inserted by the manufacturer into the profile of the door block. This mechanism works automatically, regulating the volume of fresh air that enters the room.

Features of operation of latches

The correct operation of roller or halyard latches can be disrupted or even made impossible by changes in the geometry of the frame structure, skew and sagging of the door leaf. The working latch, made in the form of a beveled tongue or roller, must fit exactly into the grip of the strike plate fixed to the frame.

During the emergency setting, the balcony door leaf is adjusted relative to the frame opening. This is done using special fittings screws, which allow you to lower and raise the door leaf, move it left or right, increase or decrease the force of pressing the door leaf to the frame.

If, after making adjustments, the latch continues to function poorly (this happens quite rarely), one of the parts of the mechanism will need to be dismantled and reinstalled.

Magnetic type latches do not have such operational problems. Even with a slight displacement of the plates as a result of subsidence or skew of the door structure, the operation of the magnetic mechanism will not be disrupted. These latches install in just a few minutes.

One of the differences between roller and halyard mechanisms from magnetic products is that the closing of the former is accompanied by a characteristic click, while the latter closes almost silently.

The functional elements of the latches are invisible, since they are installed on the end part of the frame profile and door leaf. This feature allows you to preserve the classic aesthetics of the entire door structure inserted into the opening.

Caring for any type of retainer is quite simple. You just need to periodically wipe the mechanisms from dirt and dust and lubricate them with compounds specifically designed for treating window fittings. For these purposes, you can also use machine oil and silicone compounds. Magnetic latches are not lubricated.

Free-fitting latch for plastic doors

Plastic balcony blocks, as a rule, do not have classic locks, and the sash is locked thanks to the presence of multi-locking strip fittings located along the perimeter of the leaf. In such designs, the latch is an independent element and is in no way connected with the operation of the lock and the position of the handle.

There are two types of balcony latches for plastic doors: mechanical and magnetic. Both options are structurally very simple, and their installation does not require serious professional skills.

Mechanical version

The standard configuration of a PVC balcony door usually includes the simplest mechanical latch, the components of which are installed on the leaf and frame. A fixed cylinder is attached to the sash profile, and a metal body with a special groove is attached to the frame profile. There is a spring-loaded element (usually a plate) in the groove, thanks to which the cylinder is held in the closed state and prevents spontaneous opening of the balcony.

The durability of such a retainer is determined by the quality of the spring. In cheap fittings, the spring-loaded element may burst after 1-2 years of active use, causing the roller to no longer be fixed in the groove. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a latch from at least the middle price category.

Standard kit for installing a latch on a balcony

Magnetic version

A more interesting solution is to install a magnetic latch on the balcony door. In this case, a housing with a magnet is mounted on the frame, and a metal plate is attached to the sash profile. The advantage of such a system is its reliability, since there is essentially nothing to break here.

The force of attraction of the door leaf to the frame is determined by the power of the magnet, which may vary depending on the model of the latch.

When the magnetic latch is triggered, a characteristic click is heard, which indicates that the metal plate is attracted to the magnet. For silent closing, a small gap is left between the working and the mating part, but in this case the strength of the magnet must be sufficient to prevent the door from opening, for example, from a draft.

Magnetic latch for PVC door

External handle

To pull the balcony door from the street side, an external handle must be installed on it. For PVC balcony doors, plastic handles are also used, which are shaped like a petal or a shell.

This option is the most pleasant to use, especially in winter. But if used carelessly, the product can easily break. The material itself is also prone to destruction due to exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun, sub-zero temperatures, and other negative external factors.

Therefore, it is better to use metal external handles for balcony doors. Their main advantage over plastic products is their increased resistance to mechanical stress and a fairly long service life.

Most often, the outside door handle is fixed at the same height as the rotary handle of the door locking mechanism. This arrangement is most convenient when opening/closing balcony doors.

What is the latch for?

First of all, we note that this locking hardware is not intended to protect the home from unauthorized entry, in other words, from burglary. Its purpose is most clearly and understandably characterized by its popular name - “Smoker's Latch”.

Previously, 3 internal rotary bolts were cut into old wooden balcony doors and a person, going out onto the balcony, risked being tightly locked there by this bolt. For example, small children often blocked mothers who went out to hang laundry on the balcony, after which they had to break out the glass or call the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The rotary latch on a wooden balcony door can close involuntarily.

So, on plastic doors, an overhead latch completely eliminates this problem. You simply go out onto the balcony and slam the door behind you, and when necessary, open it with a slight movement. So, when you go out to smoke, you close the door and the smoke does not come into the apartment, and most importantly, no one will accidentally lock you in there.

Latch Installation

Installing a lock for a plastic balcony door with your own hands will not be difficult. The main thing before installation is to make sure that the door on the balcony does not have any distortions or shifts, i.e. it is adjusted correctly and in the near future there are no plans to change its location relative to the frame opening.

If necessary, the doors must be adjusted using control screws. And only after this you can begin installing the latches. Using a pencil, mark the places where the clamp is attached. Since the products are fastened with bolts, you will need a screwdriver (it is better to use a screwdriver).

The easiest way to install magnetic clamps is that they consist of only two plates. In this case, installation does not require high precision. You just need to fasten the plates opposite each other: one on the end of the frame, the other on the end of the door leaf.

Installation of halyard and roller mechanisms requires precise execution. When using any of these options, it is important to accurately secure the bar and groove in relation to the latch. The latch itself is installed into the seat of the balcony sash without any measurements or any doubts and is securely fixed. And for proper installation of the strike plate on the frame, you need to close the door and apply the appropriate markings with a pencil.

Locking latches

If you have a common balcony, for example, with neighbors, then it makes sense to install locking latches, then access of strangers to your apartment will be limited. Many people use special balcony handles for this purpose. Mechanical latches are installed on them; they secure the closing of the door with a tongue installed in them in a specially designated technical hole.

Locking latch

Magnetic locking devices can be installed for these purposes; they are usually equipped with a special locking handle. But if the door locking function is not needed, the handle is installed in a special position. And then from a draft it will not be able to automatically close itself and leave you on a cold balcony.

It happens that those who decide to go out onto the balcony cannot close the door tightly behind themselves. You have to resort to constant help - first ask to close it, and then open it. But for this hopeless situation there is a solution - install a reverse lock on the balcony door. To use this design, you just need to pull the handle towards you, and it will lock the door in the closed position. And to get back into the room, you just need to push the door. This design does not provide for turning the door handle, and using such a lock is very convenient.